Dear Reader –
This week always brings back memories of (possibly!) my favourite gig.
The Big Thing
It’s Sligo Jazz week! The biggest ever apparently in terms of student numbers. Isn’t that brilliant? Nearly 20 years old and still setting records.
And Liane Carroll is back. I was looking back at some old letters from this time of year - and each time the song I featured to show off Sligo Jazz was this one. I can’t wait to hear Liane again, I’m looking forward to meeting all the students, and most of all I’m looking forward to those surprising nuggets of wisdom I always take away from the week.
Sligo pianist and Teenage Theme Night graduate Nils Kavanagh kicks off proceedings tonight - and all you need to know about a great week of music in Sligo is here.
Where else but Sligo?
Someone asked me recently about my favourite ever gig to play. What a question! Surprisingly however, there was one that immediately came to mind.
Sligo Jazz 2018 - Thursday 26 July - almost 5 years to the day. Malcolm Edmonstone’s (pictured below, left) big-band arrangement of Donald Fagen’s The Nightfly. The stage overflowing with world-class musicians. Getting the shout to play piano while Malcolm conducted from the keyboard. Dashing home at 7pm to get an extra 30 mins of practice in before the show. Dashing back to the HWT for 8. Conflicting feelings of ‘don’t mess this up’ and ‘go out and enjoy it’.
Thankfully the second won out. The feeling was like that which I imagine surfers get when aboard a great wave. Just let this keep going. The blanket laid out by the band made it feel like nothing could go wrong. I could play anything and it would sound good. The audience at one with the band. The generosity of others. Feelings of optimism and hope. Anything is possible. What a night.
Thank you Eddie Lee (pictured below, right) for making it happen.
Here’s a taste of what went on that night…
What’s New?
JAMES NELSON: Back in Sligo by popular demand. Just James, a piano, stories and songs. Tickets here - incredible value!
MOYCULLEN GAA: My son’s U10 team got an almighty shellacking from their Moycullen (Galway) equivalents in Castlebar last weekend. In fairness to the lads they acquitted themselves well and got a lot from it despite this. One of the Moycullen coaches addressed us afterwards and was so impressive - firstly to make the gesture of coming over and secondly with the words he used to pick our lads up. They’re doing something right down there.
WHAT WE STRIVE FOR: For the musicians out there…this is the game for which we sign up.
Finally…
Also from Sligo Jazz 2018 - a living breathing example of no. 3 above.
Oh and here’s the recorded version.
Till next time - Kieran.
