Recent recordings by RedivideR, Lauren Kinsella and Alex Huber, and Francesco Turrisi's Zahr suggest three different leadership styles in improvised music.

The second concert in a new series curated by pianist, accordionist and percussionist Francesco Turrisi will feature sean nós singer Róisín El Safty and the fiddle player Caoimhin Ó Raghallaigh.

The Dutch-based jazz group is co-led by Irish bassist Johnny Daly and New York guitarist Dan Nicholas, performing a one-off concert in Dublin on Saturday, 4 February.

The third of these pop-up events features music from Kate Ellis, Laura Sheehan and Linda Buckley.

Patrick Groenland talks to the young virtuoso pianist shortly before a performance in the John Field Room at the NCH

Patrick Groenland rounds up Jazz and World music concerts and a number of opportunities for musicians.

Patrick Groenland looks at the aims of the ambitious programme which is set to take effect this year.

Patrick Groenland on upcoming improvised music events and jazz news including Ana Moura, Reggie Watts, Tigran Hamasyan and win tickets to 12 Points! in Portugal.

Patrick Groenland listens to five recent releases by Tigran Hamasyan, The Unusual History of Ether, Sinikka Langeland, Keith Jarrett and Graham Reynolds.

Patrick Groenland listens to the latest Béla Fleck and the Flecktones studio album, ahead of their Dublin performance in January.

What has happened to the solo in jazz?

Playing solo brings a whole set of musical problems. How do you balance the musical elements? How do you develop ideas?

Irish jazz musicians could be contributing a distinct Irish sound to the international scene, writes Patrick Groenland after a hearing a festival of European jazz.

Mary Halvorson's music expands the definition of free jazz rather than fitting neatly into the genre.