Paul Dunlea & Ian Date

The Sofa Sessions presents PAUL DUNLEA & IAN DATE

Paul Dunlea - trombone
Ian Date - guitar

9pm / No Cover Charge

We are delighted to present the Sofa Sessions debut of leading Cork trombonist Paul Dunlea and respected Australian guitarist Ian Date in an evening of acoustic chamber jazz, delving into the Great American Songbook, featuring tunes by Duke Ellington, Neal Hefti, Sy Oliver and others.

A rising star of the Irish jazz scene, and for many years first trombone with the Army No. 1 band, Paul Dunlea was the inaugural Artist in Residence at the 2018 Cork Jazz Festival. Australian guitarist Ian Date was a leading figure on the Sydney jazz scene until he relocated to Cork in 2002. The two have been developing a rapport as a duo over the last few years, appearing regularly at venues and festivals around Ireland.

Of particular interest to guitar fans is Ian’s instrument, an original oval-hole Selmer (Maccaferri style) instrument, no. 507, just 4 serial numbers away from Django Reinhardt's main guitar (no. 503) which is now in a museum in Paris.

About Paul Dunlea

Although at home in a variety of musical styles, Cork Trombonist/Composer/Arranger, Paul Dunlea concentrates primarily on Jazz and Improvisation. This has furthered his reputation as one of Irelands most in demand musicians.
Dunlea has performed/toured/recorded with the likes of Cassandra Wilson, Frankie Valli, Liam O'Maonlaoi, Mick Flannery, Richard Reed Parry (Arcade Fire), Bryce Dressner (The National), Lewis Nash, Peter Washington, Billy Drummond, David O' Rourke's O' Rourkestra, Sachal Vadsandani, John Clayton, RTE Concert Orchestra, The Crash Ensemble, The Dublin City Jazz Orchestra, The New Irish Jazz Orchestra, The Syd Lawrence Orchestra, Hot House Big Band, Freezeroom & Brian Deady.

Dunlea is a graduate of the CIT Cork School of music holding both a bathelors degree in trombone performance and a masters degree in composition. He has held the chair of principle trombone with the Band 1 Brigade - Irish Defence Forces since 2001.

2011 saw the released his debut album ‘Bi-polAr’ to critical acclaim - reaching #1 in the iTunes chart. 2016 saw the release of his second album 'Fraternal' recorded at the renowned Bunker Studios, Brooklyn, NY featuring bassist Peter Washington, drummer Billy Drummond, guitarist David O’ Rourke (co-leader) & Cork’s Cormac McCarthy. Paul's third album is due out in early 2019.

In 2013 Dunlea established his own big band as a creative outlet for his own compositions. To date, the band has performed sell out shows across the country in venues such as The Opera House, Cork, The Grand Opera House, Belfast & The Everyman Theatre - Cork along with headlining the 2015 Cork & Limerick Jazz Festivals. Entire concerts have also been broadcast nationally on both RTE and BBC radio. Dunlea is also musical director of the New Irish Jazz Orchestra.

As well as writing for his own various groups and ensembles, Dunlea's compositions and arrangements have been performed by The Dublin City Jazz Orchestra, Hothouse Big band, Crisis Point Big Band, Larry McKenna, Tony Miceli, Stan Sulzmann, Julien Seigel, Gwilym Simcock, Cathal Coughlan, Camille O' Sullivan, Dana Masters, Gareth Dunlop, Niall McCabe, Laoise Leahy, Anna Mitchell, Jack O'Rourke, Brian Deady, The Frank & Walters, Band of An Garda Siochana, Defence Forces Bands-Ireland, Cork School of Music Symphony Orchestra & CSM Wind Ensemble. He has also written/arranged for countless theatre productions, groups and recording artists including Mick Flannery's two number 1 albums - "Red To Blue" (2012 EMI records) & By The Rule (2014 EMI Records). Paul was recently announced as the inaugural Artist in Residence of the Guinness Cork Jazz Festival 2018/2019.

Paul Dunlea is an artist for Edwards Instruments.

About Ian Date

Since 2002 Ian has based himself in Ireland. Ian has been performing professionally since age 14. When he was 20 he moved to Sydney NSW Australia and became heavily involved in the music scene. Ian based himself in Sydney for the next 20 years and performed and recorded with many of Australia's jazz greats.

He has also performed as the opening act for International artists such as Al Jarreau, Sarah Vaughan, and Benny Carter. He has toured and recorded with UK guitarist Martin Taylor and well known Australian guitar player Tommy Emmanuel.

In the mid 1980's he undertook his first international excursions and appeared with many jazz stars from various countries. He lived in The Netherlands for a year in 1990 where he worked regularly with Dutch gypsy guitarists. He has been playing gypsy jazz for many years and has eagerly promoted the music amongst his fellow guitarists.

He has written music for TV and film, appeared on television, radio and theatre and played on more than 70 albums. He is rightly regarded as one of Australia's great guitar players.

Ian has performed all over Australia and 37 other countries at various festivals and events. Equally at home on the acoustic and electric guitar, Ian's playing is firmly rooted in the jazz tradition. He has his own engaging style and he brings his intelligence, craft, musicality, skill and humour to all his projects. Critics have described his playing as lyrical, endlessly inventive, masterful and his live performances as thoroughly entertaining.

Location of event - Get Directions

Venue Information - Billy Byrnes

Billy Byrnes is a family run tradional Irish bar and first opened its doors in 1954. We are centrally located in Kilkenny City, just around the corner from the train and bus station.