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- Parent Category: Jazz Ireland Blog
- Category: The Hot Box

Read more: The Hot Box #139 - New Material
This edition has both a tilt towards new material and a tilt towards jazz guitar, with material from the French guitarist Romain Pilon’s new album Open Roads, and from the archive, tracks from Tommy Halferty’s extensive back catalogue.
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- Written by: Werner Lewon
- Parent Category: Jazz Ireland Blog
- Category: All Other Jazz

Read more: Tales from the far Side 10.04.25 Preview Bray Jazz Festival 2025
On this edition I have a closer look at some of the appearing artists of the 2025 Bray Jazz Festival, which is going from strength to strength. And this year you can see Vijay Iyer, Nduzu Makhathini, Nubya Garcia, Xhosa Cole, Verneri Pohjola, the Kevin Brady Trio and others
Read more: Tales from the far Side 10.04.25 Preview Bray Jazz Festival 2025
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- Written by: Red Keane
- Parent Category: Jazz Ireland Blog
- Category: Jazz News

Livia Records continues its run of ambitious and distinctive jazz releases with At Swing, Two Birds by Ronan Guilfoyle’s Bemusement Arcade—a record that finds deep inspiration in the jazz tradition while challenging its rhythmic foundations with daring innovation.
Led by acclaimed bassist, composer, and educator Ronan Guilfoyle, this brand-new album features seven original compositions performed by a top-flight quartet of creative improvisers: Sam Norris (alto sax), Chris Guilfoyle (guitar), and Darren Beckett (drums). The album is housed in a beautifully designed 12-page booklet with session photography and liner notes offering deeper insight into the music.
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- Written by: Werner Lewon
- Parent Category: Jazz Ireland Blog
- Category: All Other Jazz

Read more: Tales from the far Side 03.04.25 West Coast Blues-Jazz from the West Coast of Ireland
On this edition I look at some activities in presenting Live jazz at the Westport Jazz Club and Jazz Radio from the West of Ireland and there is music by Harold Land, Wes Montgomery, the QOW Trio, Kevin Brady Electric Quartet, Nancy Wilson, Sonny Criss, Charles Mingus and others
Read more: Tales from the far Side 03.04.25 West Coast Blues-Jazz from the West Coast of Ireland
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- Written by: Red Keane
- Parent Category: Jazz Ireland Blog
- Category: Jazz News

Applications now open - Closing date: Thursday 15 May 2025 at 2pm
Fingal County Council Arts Office, in partnership with Music Network, is delighted to announce the launch of its newly established Musician-in-Residence Award at Carnegie Library, Swords. This exciting initiative offers musicians the opportunity to develop their artistic practice, create new work and engage with local audiences.
The residency will provide the selected musician with dedicated time and space to develop and showcase new work and/or foster artistic collaborations. The recipient will receive an award of €6,000, space to work, as well as mentoring and career development support. The residency will culminate in a public concert, allowing audiences to experience the musician's work firsthand.
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- Parent Category: Jazz Ireland Blog
- Category: The Hot Box

Read more: The Hot Box #138 - Roy Ayres
The Hot Box #138 celebrates the music of another recently departed musician, “Roy Ayres.” Originally known as a jazz vibraphone player, he rapidly expanded his status and became, some would say, one of the major creators of jazz funk.
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- Written by: Red Keane
- Parent Category: Jazz Ireland Blog
- Category: Jazz News

Read more: Bray Jazz Festival 2025: A Global Celebration of Jazz
As the May Bank Holiday weekend approaches, jazz lovers from Ireland and beyond are gearing up for the much-anticipated Bray Jazz Festival 2025. Now in its 24th year, the festival returns from May 2nd to May 4th, bringing a stellar lineup of international and homegrown talent to the picturesque seaside town of Bray, Co. Wicklow.
With artists from the US, UK, France, Belgium, Japan, Italy, Finland, Norway, and more, this year’s edition promises a truly global celebration of jazz. Supported by The Arts Council of Ireland, Wicklow County Council, and an array of sponsors, Bray Jazz Festival continues to uphold its reputation as one of Ireland’s leading jazz events.
Read more: Bray Jazz Festival 2025: A Global Celebration of Jazz
- Tales from the far Side 27.03.25 Another Touch of Blue in Jazz
- Tommy Halferty: A Part of the Continuum – A New 11-Part Documentary Series Exploring the Life and Music of One of Ireland’s Greatest Jazz Guitarists
- The Hot Box #137 - New Releases
- Tales from the far Side 20.03.25 The Sound of Jazz around us