Following a very successful inaugural concert last month, the Galway Music Residency’s 3 Saturdays: 3 Kinds of Music series continues this Saturday 21st April at 11am in its new home, The Mick Lally Theatre.

Led by guest curator Matthew Berrill, this second concert will see the Galway ConTempo Quartet explore a string quartet arrangement of Johann Sebastian Bach’s Art of Fugue. The quartet will be joined by one of Ireland’s most respected traditional musicians, Máirtín O’Connor, who began playing the accordion at the age of nine. A remarkable career stretching back to the late 70s has seen him as a member of leading traditional groups, including Reel Union, De Danann and Skylark. No stranger to sharing a stage with ConTempo Quartet through GMR’s Spiccato Junction project, Máirtín will join the ensemble for a fusion of Trad and Baroque music as well as performing a solo set.

Mike Nielsen, renowned Irish guitarist, will complete Saturday’s menu with a set of contemporary jazz explorations. Mike is coordinator of the Masters in Jazz Performance Degree programme at the Dublin Institute of Technology. He holds an MPhil in microtonal theory and physics and a PhD in microtonal improvisation. He is a prolific composer in the genre of contemporary jazz and microtonal music and has performed with many leading international jazz artists. As well as performing a solo set, Mike will be joined by Máirtín O’Connor and guest curator Matthew Berrill for a few tunes.

The series concludes on 26th May with guest artists Shane Mulchrone (banjo) and Éanna Ryder (keys) & Paul O’Driscoll (bass/vocals). Supported by NUI Galway (Education Partner), the Arts Council, Galway City and County Councils and GMIT, admission to these events are free, open to all, family friendly and early arrival is recommended to avoid disappointment. Entry will be given on a first-come-first-serve basis. Donations are welcome.