Dear Reader –
Firstly, sorry for the letter being late this week - it’s the fault of Number 6!
Secondly for you all today, an update on the Theme Night crowdfunding campaign. At the time of writing there is just about a week to go and we are currently 74% funded so a huge thankyou to everyone who has helped to get us this far.
The target is now in sight, and so if you are thinking of contributing and haven’t already, now would be a great time to do so! Just click here.
*All hyperlinks, like the one just above, in bold.
The Big Thing
I read Seth Godin’s book ‘The Practice’ at the start of this year, and decided that one of my practices in 2021 would be to spend 45 minutes every weekday morning being musically creative – be that writing new music, new arrangements or simply noodling at the piano and seeing what comes out.
The second part of the title of the book is ‘Shipping Creative Work’. Because it’s one thing to write something new, but it’s another thing entirely putting it out into the world.
So I decided I would set myself the target of ‘shipping’ twelve new pieces or arrangements this year – on average one a month. We’re just over halfway through the year now, and it’s great to be able to present my first 6 to you, including the reason this letter is late today - Number 6.
It’s hot off the press - a brand new collaboration between myself, Seamie O’Dowd and Micheál O’Domhnaill on ‘Music’s Harmonies’ – a new arrangement for FleadhFest, which will take place in Sligo in early August.
In the Lamplight - longer theme tune (new solo piano piece)
Something Beautiful (new arrangement featuring Niamh Crowley)
The Saunter (new tune featuring Eddie Lee, Niamh Crowley, Seamie O’Dowd)
Moments (written with Luke Devaney and Rory Maitland). Also featuring Dave Flynn and Tony Travers.
Waiting (collaboration with Corcra, Luke Devaney and TemperHound.
See vid below…
Where else but Sligo?
My brother and his family were down in Sligo last weekend, and we all took part in a Scavenger Hunt organised by artist Miriam Needham and the Hawk’s Well Theatre in Carns Wood.
And what a spot! Right on the outskirts of town, I would have driven past the entrance plenty of times, but would never have known that it was there. A beautiful forest walk, made all the better by the various pieces of art (see below) made by all the scavengers.
What’s New?
Sligo Jazz 2021 takes place this week live on Facebook - just search for Sligo Jazz..
I spoke to the main man Eddie Lee about it recently and he’s so happy with the showcase of Irish and International jazz musicians the team has put together this year. If you’re looking for recommendations on what gigs to watch during the week, you won’t go far wrong with Paul Frost’s Music of Mingus project on Saturday and the Ashley Pezzotti Trio on Sunday.
It’s a year this week since the last theme night took place. And if you want a summer soundtrack for the week ahead, here’s a full YouTube playlist of the performances from Theme Night #27 - Summer and Sunshine.
I got this recommendation from The Long and The Short of It podcast. Bobby McFerrin literally dancing a tune out of the audience. Only 3 minutes long, but an amazing video.
Finally…
Here’s Liane Carroll and Meilana Gillard from Sligo Jazz 2018 with a beautiful version of Ol’ Man River.
It’s one of those weeks to just keep rolling along…enjoy the sun.
Till next time - Kieran.
