Jazz Ireland is delighted to share the news that Hayley Kavanagh has been selected as the 2026 Emerging Act at Kildare Jazz Festival.
Presented by Riverbank Arts Centre in partnership with the festival, the Emerging Act Open Call was established to spotlight new voices in Irish jazz and to provide a professional platform within the festival’s main programme. Following a strong response from emerging artists across Ireland, the selection panel chose Hayley in recognition of her originality, musicality and commanding stage presence.
A Distinct Voice on the Irish Scene
An Irish saxophonist, flautist and composer, Hayley has become a prominent presence on the Dublin jazz scene in recent years, both as a bandleader and as an in-demand collaborator and sideman. Her music is described as punchy, bluesy and angular, built on “pithy hooks over catchy basslines,” with an uncanny quality of sounding both familiar and new at the same time.
Deeply rooted in the tradition yet shaped by a strong individual voice, Hayley represents the vibrancy and forward momentum of the current Irish jazz landscape.
Speaking about her selection, Hayley said she was “absolutely delighted” to be chosen for the Emerging Act slot, acknowledging the strength of the Irish music scene and describing the opportunity as both an honour and something she is “very excited and grateful” for.
A spokesperson for the selection panel noted that her music demonstrated “maturity and direction,” and that this festival appearance could act as a catalyst at a pivotal moment in her career.
Opening the 2026 Festival
Hayley will officially launch the 2026 festival weekend when she and her quintet take to the stage at 7pm on Friday 27 March at Riverbank Arts Centre.
Her quintet features:
- Scott Flanigan – piano
- Eric Doyle – guitar
- Dave Redmond – double bass
- Michael McCarthy – drums
Now in its third iteration, Kildare Jazz Festival continues to champion both established and emerging artists, presenting a packed three-day programme of live performances, workshops and family-friendly events in the heart of Newbridge, Co. Kildare.
The festival runs from Friday 27 to Sunday 29 March at Riverbank Arts Centre. Tickets are available online at riverbank.ie or via the Box Office on 045 448327.
Kildare Jazz Festival is funded by The Arts Council of Ireland and supported by RTÉ Supporting the Arts, Riverbank Arts Centre and Kildare County Council Arts Service, with additional support from Jazz Ireland.
As a platform dedicated to promoting Irish jazz artists and events nationwide, Jazz Ireland is proud to support initiatives such as the Emerging Act Open Call, which provide meaningful performance opportunities and help nurture the next generation of Irish jazz talent.
We look forward to seeing Hayley Kavanagh and her quintet launch what promises to be another exciting chapter for Kildare Jazz Festival in 2026.
