This is jazz the beginning

If you thought jazz was a once a year kind of thing in Cork, then prepare to be pleasantly surprised.

For the Triskel Art Centre, one of Leeside’s most important cultural hubs, jazz is a huge part of its annual live music programme. The centre has just announced not one but two series putting the artform front and centre throughout the coming year.

Both the Triskel International Jazz Programme and Triskel Lunchtime Jazz Series begin later this month and feature the best of local, national, and international jazz musicians.

The International Programme opens on 20 March with the Marc Copland Quartet featuring Belgian jazz composer and saxophonist Robin Verheyen, with the Lunchtime Series starting the following week on 28 March with local trombonist Paul Dunlea and keyboard player Scot Flanigan.

The International Programme, which is supported by The River Lee Hotel, also includes from Norway the Nils Petter Molvær Group on 3 April, and Trygve Seim and Tord Gustavsen on 25 October, as well as Rob Luft and Elina Duni who will be returning to Cork on 5 December.

The Lunchtime Series is curated by Cork trombonist, composer, and arranger Paul Dunlea, with Dunlea himself bookending the series in March and September. Jake Kalilec performs the second concert in the series on 18 April, followed by the John Moriarty and Randy Ingram Quartet on Saturday 9 May, Laoise Leahy and the Johnny Taylor Trio on 13 June, and Rory McCarthy and Hugh Dillon on 18 July before the series finishes on 19 September with the Paul Dunlea Quintet.

In addition to these two new series is the ongoing partnership between Triskel and Music Network who have worked together for many years bringing the best of live music to Cork.

They have announced two concerts so far: the Shuteen Erdenebaatar Quartet on 20 June, and Grammy-winning pianist and composer Bill Laurance taking the coveted 2.30pm slot on 24 Saturday October.

Tony Sheehan, Artistic Director with Triskel, said: “Jazz is an important part of Triskel’s live music roster and this year we are looking forward to working with The River Lee as well as expanding on ongoing partnerships with ECM Records and Music Network. More concerts will be announced in due course so, as they say, watch this space.”

Tickets for both series’ are on sale now. For booking and more information, visit triskelartscentre.ie.