Dear Reader -
The pub gig in Sligo is alive and well, but first…
The Big Thing
Sligo Jazz is back!
By the time you read this the summer school will be underway, and the jam-packed gig schedule begins this afternoon (Tuesday) at 4.30 in Garavogue with the Kosinski Trio (featuring 11-yr old drum prodigy Mark Kosinski).
It’s a magical week every year - whereby jazz students and players of all ages get to hang, play, and learn with world superstars of the genre for a week. Festival director Eddie Lee (pictured below with 3-time Grammy winning trumpeter Freddie Hendrix) has done an incredible job for almost 20 years now and it’s such an exciting feeling when SJP week rolls around each year.
All you need to know about the week ahead is here (and PS the website looks fantastic)!
Where else but Sligo?
I emerged this weekend for my first pub gigs since Vicar St back in May, and they were two crackers!
Firstly there was a beautiful madness in the air in Bree’s on Saturday. It reminded me of gigs we used to do 15 years ago in the back room of The Strand or upstairs in McGarrigle’s. Whatever Suits were on fire, and the crowd were there with them every step of the way.
A proper loud and rowdy gig with front man Sean Callaghan (aka Cabbage) very much in charge and delivering the band’s takes on songs from Britney Spears, Eminem and everything in between.
Safe to say I brought the average age of the band significantly up, but it was so nice to see 5 lads who had come through the Teenage Theme NIghts over the last few years right at the top of their game and absolutely rocking the room.
Then last night it was a more laid-back affair in Connolly’s with Gerry Grennan and Brendan Emmett. But that’s not to say there wasn’t dancing! Readers of this letter will know exactly how happy I am every time I get to play with these gentlemen, and last night was no exception - a joy from start to finish for musicians and audience alike.
It was great to be out and about playing again - thanks so much to the lads and to Gerry for the invitations.
What’s New?
ALL THE EXCITEMENT: My Dad asked me yesterday if he could look forward to anything new coming down the tracks when our year kicks off again in September - and it was great to see his excitement when I filled him in on a few of our plans.
As always you will be the first to know (well apart from Dad)! Stay tuned - the first of a few big summer announcements coming your way in this letter next week.ALL THE PUB GIGS: A reminder of this wonderful resource - curated by John ‘The Map’ Callanan.
HOW DO WE KNOW THE DANCER FROM THE DANCE? I let out a few involuntary roars watching the actions of this man at the weekend. The best players doing incredible things on the biggest days - it’s my favourite thing about sport - and Tony Kelly delighted us in Croke Park on Sunday.
Finally…
I have a feeling I have sent this one your way in a previous SJP, but it’s SOOOO good…Liane and Meilana from 2018.
Till next time - Kieran.
