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Event Description
Born in the province of Pinar del Río, Cuba, Steinway Artist and cultural activist, author, pianist, and composer Elio Villafranca is a 2021 Guggenheim Fellowship recipient; a two-time Grammy nominee; 2019 Downbeat Critic’s Poll Rising Stars Pianist; winner of the 2018 Downbeat Critic’s Poll Rising Stars Keyboard; first Cuban born recipient of the Sunshine Award (2017), founded to recognize excellence in the performing arts, education, science, and sports of the various Caribbean countries, South America, Centro America, and Africa; and a recipient of the first Jazz at Lincoln Center (JALC) Millennium Swing Award in 2014.
In 2023 Elio was also commissioned to compose his “Tres Aguas” suite which was premiered by Wynton Marsalis’ Jazz at the Lincoln Centre Orchestra to huge acclaim in April 2023. Sligo Jazz Project has rarely seen such a combination of world-class stature on the Hawks Well stage. Our 2024 Artist in Residence is joined by a scintillating line-up of international and Irish musicians including his core group of long time collaborators: Alejandro Aviles, Freddie Hendrix, Dion Parson and Manel Fortia have all made the long trip to Sligo for the week, joining Elio on the SJP 2024 faculty from various parts of the globe. Drummer Dion Parson is a long-time Villafranca collaborator, our first faculty member hailing from St Thomas, US Virgin Islands, and is joined by Cuban saxophonist Alejandro Aviles, Spanish bassist Manel Fortia and New Jersey based trumpet tour de force Freddie Hendrix. Award winning UK musicians Siegel, Lockrane and Clarvis complete the line up along with Cork trombonist Paul Dunlea and Leitrim’s own Cathal Roche!
Lineup:
SLIGO JAZZ PROJECT ARTIST IN RESIDENCE 2024 Elio Villafranca: Composer, Piano
Freddie Hendrix: Trumpet
Alejandro Aviles: Saxophone
Dion Parson: Drums
Paul Clarvis: Percussion
Manel Fortia: Double Bass
Julian Siegel: Saxophone, Bass Carinet
Paul Dunlea : Trombone
Cathal Roche: Baritone Saxophone, Bass Clarinet
Gareth Lockrane: Flute
Location of event
Venue Information - Hawk's Well Theatre
The Hawk's Well is a 340 seat theatre in Sligo, North West Ireland. We host a diverse programme of arts and entertainments including comedy, professional and amateur drama, a wide range of music from traditional and jazz to opera, plus dance, pantomime, children's theatre and comedy.