Arthur’s Blues & Jazz Club, Thomas Street, Dublin 8.
Thursday 7th November. Doors 9pm/Music 9:15pm
Tickets: €10 online/€12 at the door.

Moving into winter at the Signal Series, November’s programme illustrates the endless possibilities in collaborations, that unpredictability which makes the Irish jazz scene continually fascinating. Familiar musicians come together in new combinations, experiment, and take on different roles to produce something unique each and every time. The Darragh Hennessy Organ Trio is the first project as leader for the keyboardist who has been involved in innumerable projects with other Irish improvising musicians. The west wind blows in two of Ireland’s finest jazz guitarists in collaboration as the Nielsen/Hackett Duo. Sligo-born stalwart of Irish jazz Mike Nielsen is joined by innovative Galwegian Aengus Hackett.

Darragh Hennessy has been active over the last few years as a sideman on the Dublin jazz scene, but with this new project he takes on the role of leader/composer. His debut album Duchenne Smile features Darragh on organ joined by regular collaborators Julien Colarossi on guitar and Gonzalo del Val on drums. The tracks mostly consist of original material written by Darragh with the organ trio in mind. Expect to hear groovy tunes reminiscent of Blue Note era organ players such as Jimmy Smith and more contemporary players like Larry Goldings.

Director of Jazz Performance at the TU Dublin Conservatory, Mike Nielsen is considered “one of Europe’s most distinctive and iconoclastic guitar voices, equally innovative on electric and acoustic guitars.” [Sunday Tribune]. He has performed as a soloist across Europe and his collaborators include Dave Liebman, Pat LaBarbera and the RTE Concert Orchestra. For this guitar duo, Nielsen is joined by Galwegian Aengus Hackett. A graduate of the Conservatory of Amsterdam, Hackett has studied with such leading guitarists as Jesse Van Ruller and Wayne Krantz. Hackett has performed with legendary USA pianist Bertha Hope, and Irish stalwarts, including Mike Nielsen and Conor Guilfoyle. An illustration of some of the finest established and emerging styles of Irish jazz guitar playing, this duo has a natural musical interplay. Expect improvisation at its highest level, as you are taken on a trip of the jazz guitar tradition.

Part of our commitment to celebrating Irish-based jazz talent in 2019 and beyond, the Signal Series is a live monthly double-header concert series from IMC presenting the best emerging and established jazz acts from across Ireland.

Please Note: There is generous but not complete seating available in this venue. Seating will be allocated on a first-come, first served basis. If you have particular requirements, please notify us and we will do our best to assist you.