Spearheaded by bassist Damian Evans, the first ever jazz conference in Ireland will take place in Dublin from 17th to 19th January, marking the centenary of the first documented jazz performance in Ireland. This landmark conference brings together over 70 jazz academics from 16 countries for an intensive 2 days of discussion and debate.

To complement this important gathering, close the conference and put all of this discussion in a practical context, Improvised Music Company is proud to host a double bill concert of Irish artists featuring rising stars ÄTSCH and Meilana Gillard Band.

This event will take place in Dublin’s newest live music venue, The Wild Duck on Sycamore Street, across from the Olympia Theatre Stage Door.

ÄTSCH
“It feels like that most elusive of all Jazz animals; a band” - Jazz Ireland

Led by Irish-based German guitarist, Matthias Winkler, ÄTSCH fuse contemporary jazz improvisation with the sound aesthetics of modern-day post-rock. ÄTSCH create a soundworld rich in lyrical melodies with ample space for each of the soloists to shine. Taking their cues in equal measure from post-rock giants like “Sigur Rós” or “Explosions in the Sky” as well as contemporary Jazz artists such as “Gilad Hekselman” or “Julian Lage” ÄTSCH have certainly got the attention of the European Jazz Scene, being the first Irish artists to perform in Jazzahead’s Club night series which runs concurrent to the main showcases in Germany.
This is promising music that mixes jazz improv with a post-rock sensibility.

Guitarist Winkler is joined by drummer Hugh Denman, bassist Eoin O ’Hallaran and pianist Graeme Bourke.

Meilana Gillard Band
“...Gillard is a gutsy, inventive player with a forceful melodic sense and an open, old school tenor sound” - Cormac Larkin, Irish Times

Ohio raised saxophonist and composer Meilana Gillard emerged as a rising star on the New York scene while studying at the New School in the early 2000’s. She has worked with U.S. icons Charli Persip, Christian McBride and also Greg Osby, who released her debut album “Day One” on his ‘Inner Circle Music’ label in 2009. In addition she has collaborated with Debbie Reynolds, Glenn Campbell and was instrumental in the New York all-female band DIVA. Based near Belfast since 2012, she released her second album “Dream Within a Dream” in 2017 on Lyte Records.

Admission €10 advance
€12 on the door
For more information on the Documenting Jazz Conference see www.documentingjazz.com