DERRY JAZZ FESTIVAL 2023 PROGRAMME

Bringing World-Class, uncomprimised Jazz with a warm atmposphere to Northern Ireland every Week! est. 2013

For Tickets: +44 (0)28 7126 9127 Between 6-10pm

13 john St, Derry | Instagram & Facebook @bennigansbar

£15

*For Tickets*

Call: 028 7126 9127

Between 6-10pm

Spotlight on Jazz Guitar!

£15

Phil Robson Trio

Phil Robson: Guitar

Neil Ó Loclainn: Bass

Andrew Mccoubrey: Drums

7PM 10PM

Phil Robson is a multi-award-winning guitarist & composer, originally from the UK who relocated to New York City in 2015 for five years and is currently based in Co. Roscommon, Ireland. He has led bands featuring jazz legends such as David Liebman, Mark Turner, Billy Hart, James Genus, Marc Copland & many more as well as working as a sideman with Kenny Wheeler, Barbra Streisand, Steve Lacy, Charles Earland, Donny McCaslin, Django Bates, The BBC Big Band, Ingrid Jenson, Phil Woods, Mike Gibbs, Bob Brookmeyer, Steve Wilson and a hugely diverse spectrum of internationally renowned artists. In Europe he is renowned as the co-leader of the cult UK band ‘Partisans’ with saxophonist Julian Siegel which ran for 23 years as well as for his work with his partner, the great singer/songwriter Christine Tobin.

Hannes Riepler Trio

Hannes Riepler grew up in Austria, studied jazz guitar in Amsterdam and moved to London in 2006, where he dived into the vibrant scene and played all over the city alongside fellow jazzers young and old. An energetic and inventive guitar player, spirited composer and host of the renowned Vortex Downstairs Jazz Night jam session, he has become a mover and shaker of jazz in London himself.

Riepler’s music is rooted in jazz tradition, contemporary and melodic, but always immediate and hot. Freewheeling at times, it thrillingly swings in New York Downtown style, which is perfectly matched by the fine musicians in his Quintet.

He actively plays as bandleader and much sought-after sideman in the UK and abroad. He also holds teaching positions at Middlesex University as well as at Trinity Laban Conservatoire of Music and Dance. Riepler has worked with (amongst many more): Jason Brown, Jasper Blom, Chris Cheek and Jorge Rossi.

This trio features phenomenal London based Irish bassist Mick Coady and Will Glaser on Drums.

www.hannesriepler.com

Hannes Riepler: Guitar

Mick Coady: Bass

Will Glaser: Drums

In New York he is best known for his collaboration with the master saxophonist/composer Jed Levy. He’s also a ‘Whirlwind Recordings’ artist with highly acclaimed albums who performs at major venues and festivals around the world. “Robson performs impeccably throughout, whether he’s contributing chordal washes in support, or taking the spotlight for some intricate, fluid solos of his own.”

AllAboutJazz

“Phil Robson is one of the best guitar players in the world today. His musical ideas flow continually and with a seamless logic. His technique is flawless and is in service to his fertile imagination. One of my favorites and a source of inspiration! Don’t miss an opportunity to hear this modern giant!!” Peter Bernstein www.philrobson.net

SaTurday | APRIL 29

Piano Trio, Saxophone Trio, and the Blues...oh my!

7PM

John Leighton Trio

John Leighton is an integral part of the Northern Irish Jazz scene as a Jazz pianist and also running the show at Bennigans Bar. He earned a degree in jazz piano from Leeds College of Music and has performed professionally ever since. He was mentored by the undeniable King of Derry Jazz himself, alto-saxophonist Gay McIntyre with whom he played a weekly residency for 6 years. This residency was always in great attendance and was a local favourite for many fans and has cemented John as one of the most recognized faces of Jazz in NI..

John started the Jazz series in Bennigans in November 2013 and now the venue has gone on to host some of the best Jazz acts in the world like Kurt Rosenwinkel, Seamus Blake, Jean Toussaint, Terrel Stafford, Ari Hoenig, Lianne Carroll and many more! Bennigans is not only one of the top Jazz venues in Ireland, its one of the top MUSIC venues hosting the best of Rock, Folk, Blues, Soul, Trad and Hip hop. venues hosting the best of Rock, Folk, Blues, Soul, Trad

John’s trio, quartet and quintet play regularly with artists such as Rohan Armstrong, James Anderson, Meilana Gillard, Michael Barkley, Joseph Leighton, Conor Murray, and Andrew McCoubrey. John is also performs in care homes and special schools as part of ‘Joyology’ duo with Meilana Gillard through the Live Music Now organisation. He plans to record his second trio album this year. This will be a swinging trio playing all your favorite standards!

John Leighton: Piano

Conor Murray: Bass

Darren Beckett: Drums

£15

Darren Beckett - TrÍ

Riley Stone-Lonergan: Tenor Saxophone

Conor Murray: Bass

Darren Beckett: DRumsrums

*For Tickets*

Call: 028 7126 9127

£15 free free

Darren Beckett won a prestigious Bass Ireland Award as a teenager, leaving the emerald isle to study jazz in New York, where he resided for 21 years. Across his career, he has played drums everywhere from Carnegie Hall in New York to the Royal Albert Hall in London. He’s performed on over 50 albums recording with notable names like Brandon Flowers, Daniel Lanois, Madeleine Peyroux, Lee Konitz and Kenny Wheeler. He has also worked with Lauryn Hill, Mercury Rev, Amen Dunes, Shane McGowan, and Sinead O’Conner. He’s Played festivals all over the world from Austin City Limits to Glastonbury to NH7 in India. His current main touring gigs today are with Brandon Flowers and American jazz singer Madeleine Peyroux, Brooklyn band Amen Dunes, Mercury Rev and his own band Ambulance LTD.

Darren co-wrote the lead single ‘Can’t Deny My Love’ on Brandon Flowers’number one charting second solo album, ‘The Desired Effect’. He is endorsed by Canopus drums, Paiste cymbals, Vic Firth Drum sticks, Aquarian Drum heads, Protection Racket Drum cases, and Reflexx pads.

Since moving to the UK in 2016 he’s been a regular on the London jazz scene playing Ronnie Scott’s and the 606 club, playing with Jason Rebello, Gilad Atzmon, Jim Mullen and Alan Barnes. He’s active on the studio scene in London and Dublin.

This cutting edge new trio features London tenor star Riley Stone-Lonergan and rising Irish (now London) star(and Bennigans favourite), Conor Murray on Bass

Jack McHale Blues Experience

Between 6-10pm

Jack McHale: Guitar & Vocals

Caolan Hutchinson: Keyboards

Ryan Milligan: Bass

Mark O Doherty: Drums

9PM 11PM 12AM

Formidible Derry Blues man Jack McHale will bring you a Saturday night feast of original and classic blues tunes with all the soulful trimmings, featuring some of Derry’s finest muscians. Oh, did we mention, its FREE!? Can’t beat it!

*For Tickets*

Call: 028 7126 9127

Between 6-10pm

Spotlight on Vocal Jazz!

5PM joan Talbot: Vocals

Mark Bradley: Trumpet

Gerard Bradley: Piano/Keyboard

Peter Doherty: Bass

Michaely Kielty: Drums

Meilana Gillard is a Saxophonist, Vocalist and Composer residing in Derry. She’s no stranger to the Derry Jazz Festival, this being her 9th year. Many will recognise her for her Saturday Afternoon Jazz performances alongside John Leighton. Though widely-known as a saxophonist and praised by critics for her robust tone and endless supply of ideas, she is also a skilled vocalist praised for her soulful rich tone and heartfelt melodic interpretation. She has a a lot of range and draws influence from Sarah Vaughan, Nancy Wilson, Carman McRae and Ella Fitzgerald, but also from Soul/R&B singers like Donny Hathaway, Marvin Gaye, Ray Charles, Chaka Khan and Aretha Franklin. Whether it’s a haunting ballad, uptempo swinging standard, or a reimagined pop tune, Meilana is going to be having fun and make you want to dance! IG: @meilanamusic

9PM 11pm

Joan talbot & Jazz Gazette

Jazz Gazette with Joan Talbot Music are a brilliant 5 piece Jazz Band who are performing at festivals all over Ireland at present and have a great repertoire of Jazz Standards, Swing and a sprinkling of Blues.They’ve been a part of the Derry Jazz Festival for more than 15 yrs and have a great fan base in Derry. If you are lucky enough to see them over the festival weekend, you’ll see exactly why they’re so popular on the music scene

Meilana Gillard Quartet feat. Joel Frahm OPEN

£20

Joel Frahm is known to all jazz-lovers as a modern icon of the tenor saxophone. An unsurpassed emotional projection and technical ability always characterize his playing which draws on the breadth the American musical tradition including jazz, funk, rock and blues. Joel’s new trio is an international affair, consisting of Toronto’s most prolific bandleader Ernesto Cervini (Myriad3, Turboprop) on drums and composer /bandleader /bassist Dan Loomis (of The Wee Trio, TS Monk) on bass. The Joel Frahm Trio released their latest album, “The Bright Side” (Anzic Records) in 2021 to rave reviews across the globe including a 4-star review in Downbeat Magazine and a feature on NPR’s “Fresh Air” www.joelfrahm.com

Meilana Gillard: Vocals

Joel Frahm: Tenor Saxophone

John Leighton: Piano

Dan Loomis: Bass

Ernesto Cervini: Drums

Something different!

5PM

£5 free

The Men Who Knew Too Much play an eclectic mix of songs and instrumentals about everything from lost loves, happy n sad twists of fate to Hawaiian ballads and country classics. All delivered with a some what tongue in cheek humour. With a very wide genre of material from, Tom Waits, Bob Dylan Carol King to Nat King Cole, Hank Williams and many more such like artists. The Men Who Knew Too Much have been described as a quirky, talented trio that don’t fail to entertain at every gig.

Percy Robinson: Dobro, Guitar & Vocals

Egon Callery: Guitar, Harmonica, Mandolin & Vocals sean Mccarron: Soprano & Tenor Saxophones, Percussion

*For Tickets*

Call: 028 7126 9127

Between 6-10pm

OPEN STAGE JAM SESSION men who knew too much 11pm

Bring your Instrument, Voice, or just come and listen!

You never know who might show up! you wouldn’t believe some of the world renowned artists that have sat in at our late night festival jams. Who knows, you might meet some future collaborators and make some new friends! *Some basic backline included*