Keeping Time is an evening of live jazz led by drummer John Philip Murray, bringing together four outstanding musicians in an evening of richly connected jazz.

Murray’s approach to the drums is rooted in flow, space, and strong time. Known for his musical sensitivity and deep understanding of ensemble playing, he leads the group from the kit, shaping the feel and direction of each tune. His playing supports and challenges in equal measure, creating a strong foundation for interaction and improvisation.

On piano, Brian Priestley brings authority, elegance, and decades of experience as a performer, educator, and writer. His clear melodic sense and responsiveness make him a natural partner in a rhythm section built on trust and communication.

Double bassist Dave Fleming anchors the music with his full, warm tone and exceptional feel. A first-call bassist for more than fifty years, Fleming’s melodic instinct and steady pulse are central to the group’s sound.

Trumpeter J.Q. Whitcomb completes the quartet, adding a strong front-line voice marked by lyricism, energy, and imagination. His playing ranges comfortably from reflective ballads to high-energy bebop, always closely connected to the rhythmic and harmonic support around him.

Together, the quartet presents a dynamic and engaging programme drawing on well-known jazz standards and less familiar tunes.This concert offers audiences a direct, intimate experience of musicians working in real time — listening closely, responding instinctively, and letting the music unfold naturally.

Passarim Ensemble
Echoes of the South
Bossa Nova, Samba, Tango & Jazz

Echoes of the South weaves together the sensual sounds of bossa nova, the fiery energy of samba, the melancholic elegance of tango, and the expressive freedom of jazz. Homage is paid to iconic composers such as Jobim, Piazolla, Menescal, and Buarque, with original and imaginative arrangements.

Imelda Kehoe is known for her distinctive voice, story-telling and blend of jazz and soul and has been described as ‘one of the finest Irish contemporary songwriters to emerge in recent years’. 

And because Imelda treats a song as an emotional whole and can capture the joyful essence of what it feels like to love and be loved, it follows that she is the perfect fit for the annual Jazz at Johnstown Valentine’s concert on Saturday, February 14th.

Passarim Ensemble
Echoes of the South
Bossa Nova, Samba, Tango & Jazz

Echoes of the South weaves together the sensual sounds of bossa nova, the fiery energy of samba, the melancholic elegance of tango, and the expressive freedom of jazz. Homage is paid to iconic composers such as Jobim, Piazolla, Menescal, and Buarque, with original and imaginative arrangements.

A jazz homage to Keith Jarrett’s legendary Köln Concert, performed and improvised by leading Irish pianist Scott Flanigan.

In January 1975, piano virtuoso Keith Jarrett played in Köln, Germany, an improvised concert which became one of the biggest selling solo jazz records of all time, selling over 4 million copies.

Join Ireland's King Of Swing Luke Thomas and his band The Swing Cats for The KINGS OF SWING TOUR... celebrating 100 years of SWING MUSIC from the 1920's to the modern day!!

For this special concert, master guitarist Tommy Halferty introduces the great French saxophonist Pierrick Menuau, with Dave Fleming on double bass and John Philip Murray on drums, for an inspired programme of jazz standards, alongside a few lesser-known gems.

Jay Azzolina Trio featuring Jay Azzolina and guests including Kevin Lawlor, at The Sky & The Ground. Jay Azzolina is an American jazz and fusion guitarist known for his work with the Grammy Award-winning group Spyro Gyra.

Sean Hession – Vocals
​​​​​​​Myles Drennan – Piano
Dave Fleming – Double Bass
Tom Dunne - Drums

A Spring-themed lunchtime concert showcasing the Great American Songbook

Kris Davis piano
​​​​​​​DoYeon Kim gayageum
Tom Rainey drums

Kris Davis is a Grammy award-winning pianist and composer described by The New York Times as a beacon for “deciding where to hear jazz in New York on a given night.”

Marc Copland piano
Robin Verheyen saxophones
Stephane Kerecki bass
Fabrice Moreau drums

‘In the hands of this group, music is magic, and Marc Copland is the master magician… Someday is one of the 10 best CDs of the year.’ – allaboutjazz.com, 9 December 2022

Join Ireland's King Of Swing Luke Thomas and his band The Swing Cats for The KINGS OF SWING TOUR... celebrating 100 years of SWING MUSIC from the 1920's to the modern day!!

Linda Kenny
Damian Smith
Evelyn Grant narrator
Mark O’Shaughnessy, actor
Alan Carney MD
and the Singalong Songbook band

Following sell-out performances in theatres across Ireland, We’ll Meet Again: the Story of Vera Lynn makes its long-awaited appearance on to the main stage of the National Concert Hall for one night only.

Aynur is one of the most prominent Kurdish singers of our times. Her impressive voice and extraordinary musical narration represent the Kurdish music heritage of her cultural roots as a global genre. Her unique voice infuses traditional Kurdish folk music with the contemporary sensibility of Western music. She has created a timeless musical language, combining the treasures of Kurdish traditions with modern arrangements that connect generations and cultures.

Nils Petter Molvær is one of the most prominent performers within an electroacoustic, improvised/composed musical hybrid that has become a genre of its own.