Berri
Arthurs, Dublin Sunday March 25th 4pm €7 arthurspub.ie
Dublin vocalist Jenna Harris was classically trained before she caught the improv bug and turned to jazz, becoming the first woman to graduate from Newpark’s jazz degree programme. Berri started as an out-where-the-trains-don’t-run duo placing her voice, frequently processed and looped, alongside the rattles and scrapes of inventive drummer Matthew Jacobson. These days, bassist Derek Whyte adds another dimension to a group that makes clear the difference between a jazz singer and a singer of jazz songs.
Emilie Conway Brazilian Jazz Quintet
Ranelagh Arts Centre, Dublin Sunday March 25th 5pm €14 facebook.com/emilieconwaymusic
From traditional samba to MPB (música popular Brasileira), Brazil has given the world more than its fair share of fine songs, not least those of the bossa nova pioneers Tom Jobim and João Gilberto. For this intimate, early-evening performance, sensitive vocalist Emilie Conway dips into the South American giant’s rich song repertoire with a talented group that includes pianist Johnny Taylor, guitarist Paddy Groenland, bassist Dave Mooney and Brazilian percussionist Andre Antunes.
Erik Ineke
Arthurs, Dublin Thursday March 29th 9pm €10 arthurspub.ie
Being the Netherlands' first-call drummer for the last 50 years – by reason of his immaculate sense of swing – has put Eric Ineke in the path of some of the most celebrated musicians in jazz history: Dexter Gordon, Ben Webster, Shirley Horn and Dizzy Gillespie are just some of the iconic names dropped in the Haarlem-born percussionist's autobiography, The Ultimate Sideman. Now in his 70s, Ineke has become a distinguished visitor in his own right, and he flies into Dublin this week to impart his wisdom to the students at DCU's jazz department. Then he gathers a few ultimate sidemen of his own – saxophonist Michael Buckley, guitarist Chris Guilfoyle and bassist Ronan Guilfoyle – for what promises to be a public masterclass in joyous swing.
Piano Day 2018
Mick Lally Theatre, Galway Thursday March 29th 8pm €16 druid.ie
Of all the instruments to have emerged since the Renaissance, the piano stands alone, the undisputed queen of music performance. Until the mid-20th century, these gorgeous confections of wood, felt and steel were not only the choice of professional performers and composers, but also the definitive parlour accoutrement, as ubiquitous in Victorian times as televisions and games consoles are today. In recognition of World Piano Day, the organisers of the Galway Jazz Festival have invited German piano builder David Klavins to showcase his radical rethink of the touring piano. Irish-based Italian jazz and early music pianist Francesco Turrisi has just taken delivery of one of only 15 Una Corda pianos made by Klavins, bought with help from the Music Network instrument purchase scheme. This special performance will mark the strange-looking instrument’s first public outing.
