KILDARE JAZZ FESTIVAL 2026: Emerging Artist - Hayley Kavanagh
At a glance
About this event
“Her sound is big and warm; her language firmly rooted in the swinging hard-bop
and post-bop traditions of Sonny Rollins and Joe Henderson.” (All About Jazz)
Hayley Kavanagh is an Irish saxophonist, flautist and composer who has made a name for herself on the Dublin scene in recent years both as an active band leader, as well as an in-demand collaborator and sideman. Her music is punchy, bluesy and angular with “pithy hooks over catchy basslines” (Journal of Music). Deeply rooted in tradition, but with a distinct personality, it has “an uncanny quality of sounding both familiar and new at the same time” (Journal of Music).
Hayley and her quintet – Scott Flanigan (piano), Eric Doyle (guitar), Dave Redmond (double bass), Michael McCarthy (drums) – will present a set of her original compositions and arrangements, including some brand-new material.
Kildare Jazz Festival 2026 takes place from Friday 27-Sunday 29 March.
Kildare Jazz Festival is funded by The Arts Council and supported by RTÉ Supporting the Arts, Kildare County Council Arts Service and Riverbank Arts Centre.
Event tickets: from €15
Weekend ticket: €75
(does not include workshops or family events)
Location
Main Street, Newbridge
Venue details
Riverbank Arts Centre is a multi-disciplinary venue including theatre and visual arts centre in Newbridge, County Kildare. Riverbank Arts Centre is lively, atmospheric and convenient, a high quality venue which caters for a range of interests and age groups. From theatre, music and comedy to children's events and cinema, Riverbank Arts Centre provides an intimate setting for a broad variety of shows.
