18/08/2014. Free to use image. Jazz Festival. Pictured launching the very first Jazz Festival for Waterford ‘Waterford Jazz Weekender’ which will take place at outdoor and pub venues in the City from September 5th to September 7th 2014 is Lyndsey O’Brien and Ciara O’Neill with Jamie Murphy, Naoise Meegan and Phill Collins, for further details on the upcoming festival see Facebook.com/WaterfordJazzWeekender. Picture: Patrick Browne.


For immediate release

Very First Jazz Festival Announced for Waterford

Free weekend of Jazz Gigs for the City

The very first Jazz Festival for Waterford ‘Waterford Jazz Weekender’ has been announced to take place at outdoor, and pub venues in the Viking Triangle from September 5th to September 7th 2014.

The brand new festival which will host an eclectic mixture of jazz combos: Swing, Bebop, New Orleans, Jazz-Funk, Modern, Gypsy Jazz, Big Band, and a generous helping of The Blues at a variety of 10 FREE gigs over the weekend.

The Festival is the brainchild of jazz musician and music lecturer at WIT Phil Collins. Commenting on the upcoming festival Phil said, “This is going to be an amazing weekend of music in Waterford, this festival will celebrate jazz in all it’s forms providing great quality entertainment and giving Waterford jazz musicians a public forum for their music. I’d particularly like to thank the Munster Bar for rowing in as our main sponsor and venue. The full line-up for the festival is entirely ticket free so we would really love to see everyone come out and enjoy the festival and get into the groove of it all.”

The festival kicks off on Friday, September 5th at 1pm with an outdoor lunch-gig at Bailey’s New Street with The Waterford Jazz Weekender Festival Combo. Guitarist Dylan Bible, Tenor Saxophonist Danny Pullman, and Keyboardist Phill Collins play an eclectic selection of popular jazz standards, funky blues and latin vibes, kicking the weekend off in style. Joining the trio will be Dave Duffy on Bass and new talent Cathal Ryan on drums.

Following the gig at 3pm session bass player Dave Duffy will give a Bass Workshop for all students of the electric and acoustic bass in The Munster Bar; this is a great chance for all aspiring bass players to learn more about playing and working with their instrument.

On Friday evening at 7:30pm in Jordan’s Bar a Vocal Jazz session with The Jane O’Brien Moran Trio will be on offer. Jane O’Brien Moran’s is a voice that will charm and beguile. The trio will perform a selection of some of the most treasured songs from the jazz canon with Orm Kenny on Guitar and Peter Vogelaar on Bass to provide the exquisite accompaniment.

Friday night’s gig at 10pm in The Munster Bar sees The Groove Merchants perform a funky jam session of tunes from the classic hard bop era. This classic combo will be playing tunes made famous on the iconic Blue Note albums.

Saturday festivities commence at 1:30 pm on Bailey’s New Street with Gypsy Jazz band ‘Paris Swing’. A 4 piece lineup playing jazz and swing from the 20's, 30's & 40's. The lineup consists of Jacqueline Burke (Violin), Tony Doherty (Guitars), Noel Cleere (Accordion), and Adrian Jackson (Double Bass & Vocals).

Also on Bailey’s New Street at 3pm The Waterford Blues Club will be playing the blues… It does exactly what it says on the tin!

On Saturday evening at 8pm The Harry Connelly and Len McCarthy Group both musicians are legends of the Cork Jazz scene and will be accompanied by resident Waterford musicians. These two musicians were there at the very start of the Cork Jazz Festival – indeed they started it!

Saturday night at 10pm in Jordan’s Bar Traditional Blues are on offer with ‘Rue de la Coup’. An eclectic mix of traditional blues vibes from three Dublin musicians well known to the Waterford music scene. This trio will combine earthy blues vocal ballads with groovy guitar-based instrumentals and are sure to provide a great night out.

Sunday’s entertainment commences at 1pm on Bailey’s New Street with New Orleans Jazz from ‘DIXIELAND EXPRESS’.

At 3pm in The Reg Bar ‘Little Waits’ will entertain playing a mixture of classic jazz tunes along with solid grooves and original music.

On Sunday evening at 7:00pm The Munster Bar is the place to be with Big Band Jazz experts Opus Pocus set to entertain. Some of the finest of Waterford musicians will be joined by special guest singer with the band for the evening Richie Hayes, singing a selection of the finest big band hits.

Taking the weekend to a close on Sunday evening at 9.30pm in The Munster Bar with bebop jazz will be ‘The Red Hot Jazz Trio’. The three-piece jazz trio will open with a short set and then open the floor to all interested singers and musicians who would like to sit in and jam. With Phill Collins, Chris Macarthy, and Fionn O’Ceallachain, and featuring a special appearance from Tenor Saxophonist Brendan Doyle.


ENDS – August 18 2014.

For further information, to organise a visit or an interview contact Ann Power 086 3065588 or email ann@powerhousepr.ie