Lost Louis Stewart show to be released

The recording of a landmark concert performed in Cork by one of Ireland’s all-time greatest jazz guitarists is set for release tomorrow.

Captured by RTÉ in Cork Opera House in 1982, the recording is of world-class Irish jazz guitarist Louis Stewart who passed away in 2016.

The performance was part of the Cork Jazz Festival where Stewart premiered his six part suite, ‘Joyce Notes’, based on scenes from James Joyce's groundbreaking novel ‘Ulysses’.

The concert featured an eight piece band of Irish and American musicians who were joined by well-known Irish actor Eamon Morrissey.

One song from the recording, ‘WB Murphy’, features a heartfelt alto saxophone solo from Cork native Len McCarthy, after which the audience gives an extensive hometown applause.

Dublin-based Livia Records, which was initially established in 1977 to record Stewart, was granted the right to release the recording, but due to the death of the label's original founder, Gerald Davis, the concert recording was not released until

now.

In 2022, the dormant record label was revived by passionate music fan, collector, and broadcaster Dermot Rogers.

It has since reissued several recordings as well as issuing several new ones, including some from the finest Irish jazz musicians active today.

Born in Waterford in 1944, Louis Stewart was revered around the world as a leading voice in next-generation jazz guitar.