I am incredibly happy to announce that the Arts Council of Ireland has awarded funding to Jazz Ireland for 2024. After overcoming significant administrative hurdles, the funding has finally arrived, allowing us to resume operations. I will be working part-time on Jazz Ireland for the remainder of the year, ensuring that most of the services we offered before can be maintained.

It's been over a year since my last newsletter or social media post, when I had to announce the closure of Jazz Ireland. It was a difficult decision, but a necessary one at the time. I want to express my heartfelt thanks to everyone who reached out with messages of support and appreciation in the weeks following that announcement. While I couldn't reply to everyone individually during such an overwhelming time, I am deeply grateful for the response and for all the hard work that went into making Jazz Ireland what it became.

Special thanks go to Minding Creative Minds for assisting throughout the last year. 

Read more: Jazz Ireland Returns

Hello everyone, it is with a heavy heart that I must announce the closure of Jazz Ireland.

Jazz Ireland was a project I created with the primary focus of supporting the Irish jazz scene and helping it grow. For seven years, I worked tirelessly on the project without any funding, determined to make a difference. I am proud of what I accomplished, I got to work with some incredible people whom are now lifelong friends and I’m grateful for the opportunities it provided.

But unfortunately, that time has come to an end.

Getting funded was always the goal, but as a disabled person I can’t get funding without severe penalties. When I started this project, I didn’t know how bad the situation was. I have tried for years to change the rules, to make it easier for people like me to access the arts, but to no avail. Despite my efforts to speak with government officials, arts organisations, disability organisations and advocate for change, nothing has been done to rectify this situation. And it looks like nothing will.

Read more: Jazz Ireland Statement of Closure

Read more: Tales from the far Side 13.04.23 Preview Bray Jazz Festival 2023

After the great reaction to Hot Box 96, we decided to do a second edition devoted to the fantastic 42 volume series of solo piano recitals known as the Maybeck Series. Recorded over 6 years from 1990 to 1996, the concerts took place in the wood lined hall designed by the now iconic architect Bernard Maybeck, with just 50 seats in the audience and a perfectly tuned Yamaha grand piano.

Long unavailable on LP or CD it is now available on Spotify, but here Donald takes us through more of the stellar pianists who featured - Gerry Wiggins, Toshiko Akyoshi, Cedar Walton and more.

Read more: The Hot Box #097 - The Maybeck Recitals Part 2

Read more: Tales from the far Side 06.04.23 Sometimes it snows in April-Jazz for the Season

Read more: Tales from the far Side 30.03.23 Westport Jazz

Improvised Music Company (IMC) and Triskel Arts Centre are delighted to announce the winner of their WRITE RECORD PERFORM, a programme which allows a professional musician working in jazz or creative improvised music dedicated time, space and budget to develop a new musical concept in a holistic way.

After an extensive application process, guitarist and composer Max Zaska has been selected as the winner of WRITE RECORD PERFORM in 2023.

With a budget of up to €10,000 for the project, the artist will also have physical space to develop work at Triskel in Cork and at IMC’s new home for jazz The Cooler @ The Complex in Dublin. Mentorship and guidance will also be available for the artist from Triskel and IMC.

Max said; “I’m absolutely delighted to be chosen for the WRITE RECORD PERFORM residency programme. The work that will come out of this programme will not only benefit me, but 4 other songwriters in collaboration. The new music we create, record, and perform will have a long-lasting effect on all of our careers as artists. My deepest thanks to IMC and Triskel Arts Centre for your support. I’m excited to be returning to Cork and am buzzing to perform in Triskel Christchurch.”

Max Zaska is a guitarist, songwriter, musical director, and producer best known for his feel-good blend of modern funk, neo-soul, and indie jazz. With his band, ZASKA, Max brings his original songs to life through collaborations with many of Ireland’s rising stars, beginning with his first vocalist, Hozier. His critically acclaimed debut album, It Takes A Village, features over 25 performers including Wyvern Lingo and Loah.

Read more: Max Zaska selected for WRITE RECORD PERFORM residency with IMC & Triskel