Jazz News - Jazz Ireland

Details: Written by: Red Keane; Parent Category: Jazz Ireland Blog; Category: Jazz News; Created: 04 June 2026

Applications Open for Music Network and Roscommon Arts Office Musician-in-Residence Programme at King House

Applications are now open for the 2026 Musician-in-Residence Programme at King House in Boyle, County Roscommon, a unique professional development opportunity for musicians who are autistic or people with autism.

Presented by Music Network in partnership with Roscommon Arts Office and supported by King House, Roscommon County Council, the Bank of Ireland Community Fund, Community Foundation Ireland and the Tomar Trust, the residency aims to provide a significant opportunity for an established professional musician to develop their artistic practice in an inclusive and supportive environment.

The selected Musician-in-Residence will receive a bursary of €8,000 and access to a dedicated workspace at King House during October and November 2026. The residency is designed to provide time and space for creative development, allowing the musician to focus on creating new work, developing artistic collaborations and advancing their professional practice.

Details: Written by: Red Keane; Parent Category: Jazz Ireland Blog; Category: Jazz News; Created: 01 June 2026

Orlando Molina Returns with Antes, Siempre, An Intimate Reimagining of Latin American Song

Following the international acclaim of his debut album Autorretrato en Tres Colores, Dublin-based Venezuelan guitarist, composer and arranger Orlando Molina has released Antes, Siempre (Before, Always), a deeply personal recording that reimagines beloved Latin American songs through original duo arrangements for voice and nylon-string guitar.

Released on 29 May 2026, Antes, Siempre presents a different side of Molina's artistic voice. While his debut established him as a distinctive contemporary jazz composer and bandleader, this new recording turns towards the music that has long formed part of his cultural and personal heritage.

Across seven carefully crafted tracks, Molina revisits songs from Venezuela, Mexico and Brazil, creating arrangements that balance preservation with reinvention. Familiar melodies are transformed through contemporary harmony, rhythmic sophistication and an expansive approach to the guitar that allows the instrument to function simultaneously as accompaniment, dialogue and orchestral texture.

Details: Written by: Red Keane; Parent Category: Jazz Ireland Blog; Category: Jazz News; Created: 31 May 2026

Limerick Jazz Launches Young Irish Jazz Musician 2026

Limerick Jazz has announced the return of the Young Irish Jazz Musician competition, with applications now open for the 2026 edition of the prestigious award.

The final will take place at University Concert Hall, Limerick on Sunday, 22 November 2026, where selected finalists will perform with a professional house band before a live audience and an expert panel of judges.

Since its launch, Young Irish Jazz Musician has established itself as one of Ireland's leading platforms for emerging jazz talent, providing young musicians with valuable performance opportunities, industry recognition and support for their artistic development.

Details: Written by: Red Keane; Parent Category: Jazz Ireland Blog; Category: Jazz News; Created: 31 May 2026

The Two Five Ones Release New Live Single 'Take It All Away'

The Two Five Ones have released their latest single, Take It All Away (Live at The Sugar Club), capturing the atmosphere and energy of a live performance recorded before a packed audience at one of the city's best-known music venues.

Recorded on 21 February 2026 during the duo's appearance as special guests of singer-songwriter and broadcaster Tommy Keyes, the release showcases a more upbeat side of The Two Five Ones' sound. While the group are often associated with warm jazz-infused songwriting and laid-back acoustic textures, Take It All Away introduces a lively swing feel driven by movement, rhythm and emotional intensity.

Details: Written by: Red Keane; Parent Category: Jazz Ireland Blog; Category: Jazz News; Created: 30 May 2026

Shy Mascot Release New Single 'Prince Lotor Flow'

Dublin-based collective Shy Mascot have released their latest single, Prince Lotor Flow, a groove-driven track that blends jazz, funk, hip-hop and electronic influences into the band's distinctive sound.

Fresh from an appearance at Bray Jazz Festival, the five-piece continue to build momentum with a release that explores themes of growth, resilience and creative transformation. Built around a punchy bass line, prominent keyboard textures and Jamel's thoughtful vocal delivery, the track reflects on how pressure and lived experience can be transformed into strength through artistic expression.

Details: Written by: Red Keane; Parent Category: Jazz Ireland Blog; Category: Jazz News; Created: 27 May 2026

Jazz Camp for Girls Returns to DCU This Summer for a Fourth Year

Young musicians aged 11–16 will once again have the opportunity to explore jazz, improvisation and creative music-making this summer as Jazz Camp for Girls returns to Dublin City University for its fourth year.

Taking place over three days at DCU St Patrick’s Campus from Tuesday 30 June to Thursday 2 July 2026, the camp offers a supportive and welcoming environment where participants can develop confidence in their own musical voice while learning alongside like-minded young musicians.

Presented by Improvised Music Company (IMC) and hosted by the DCU Jazz & Contemporary Music Performance degree programme, the camp is designed as an introduction to improvisation and creative music-making, with an emphasis on participation, collaboration and original expression.

Details: Written by: Red Keane; Parent Category: Jazz Ireland Blog; Category: Jazz News; Created: 22 April 2026

From Sligo to Berklee: How Sligo Jazz Project is Shaping the Next Generation of Irish Jazz

As International Jazz Day approaches, celebrations around Ireland will highlight not only the vibrancy of the music itself, but also the pathways that continue to nurture new talent. In Sligo, this year’s festivities carry a particularly compelling story, one that speaks directly to the long-term impact of grassroots jazz education in Ireland.

At the centre of it is 19-year-old pianist and composer Rory Conneally, whose rapid rise has marked him out as one of the most exciting young musicians to emerge from the region in recent years.

From First Encounter to International Opportunity

Rory’s journey into jazz began just four years ago when he attended the Sligo Jazz Project (SJP) summer school at the age of 15. What followed was a period of intense development, shaped by both local opportunity and international mentorship.

Since that first encounter, he has immersed himself in the music, refining his voice as both a pianist and composer, and continuing his studies beyond the summer programme. His progress has brought him into contact with leading figures in the jazz world, including Cuban pianist Elio Villafranca, and more recently Wynton Marsalis, who offered encouragement and guidance following a Dublin performance last year.

Applications Open for Music Network and Roscommon Arts Office Musician-in-Residence Programme at King House

Orlando Molina Returns with Antes, Siempre, An Intimate Reimagining of Latin American Song

Limerick Jazz Launches Young Irish Jazz Musician 2026

The Two Five Ones Release New Live Single 'Take It All Away'

Shy Mascot Release New Single 'Prince Lotor Flow'

Jazz Camp for Girls Returns to DCU This Summer for a Fourth Year

From Sligo to Berklee: How Sligo Jazz Project is Shaping the Next Generation of Irish Jazz