Simon Jermyn.

A project called Palimpsest will bring together an unusual group of performers from very different backgrounds but with a shared interest in exploring new ground with traditional Irish tunes. Organised by jazz musician Simon Jermyn, who plays electric bass, the others are Seán Carpio on percussion, Isabelle O’Connell on prepared piano, Seán Mac Erlaine on laptop and bass clarinet, and Caoimhín Ó Raghallaigh on hardanger fiddle and five string viola.

Talking to The Journal of Music, Jermyn explains: ‘I have been transcribing some tunes, thinking about them as raw material for us to work with and writing some arrangements with this in mind. Isabelle will prepare the piano for all of this music which will change the listeners perspective on piano in this setting a lot I think. Seán Carpio will be playing percussion as opposed to drum kit and he will be using a set up with this music particularly in mind. Seán Mac Erlaine will be switching between bass clarinet and electronics and will be manipulating aspects of the sound in real time. Caoimhín is a master of this music and luckily is willing to try this way of approaching these tunes with us. I will be playing six string electric bass and incorporating some electronics.’

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