(openPR) - The 2nd annual Galway Jazz Festival takes place from October 12 to 15 2006. Kenny Garrett headlines the concert programme which also features the Michael Buckley Quartet, Ian Shaw (Best Vocalist BBC Jazz Awards) and the legendary Danny Moss with Jeannie Lambe and Louis Stewart.

The Galway Jazz Festival, in its second year is taking a giant leap forward by featuring one of the global jazz greats, Kenny Garrett as its headline act. Performing in the Black Box on Friday, October 13th, Kenny Garrett is the most consistently scintillating and inspiring alto/soprano saxophone force in the genre. The multi-Grammy® nominee, perhaps best known for his work with Miles Davis, brings a muscular yet lyrical eloquence to everything to which he lends his artistry. Kenny’s music is roll up your sleeves, in your face, hard bop blowing of rippling melodic songs.

The festival kicks off on Thursday 12th to the strains of the West Coast Big Band in the Spanish Arch Hotel, a free gig to get the party started.

Saturday offers wall to wall jazz with the main highlight undoubtedly being the innovative and compelling Michael Buckley Quartet in St. Nicholas Collegiate Church. Saturday evening also sees the inimitable Ian Shaw, delight and entertain in the company of his piano in the Radisson. Before that, the day begins in contemplative mood as Myles Drennan presents ‘Swing Low’ - paying homage to early American spirituals and psalms.

On Sunday afternoon Greg Burk and Michael Buckley conduct some ‘Acoustic Explorations’ in St Nicholas', winding up to the finale event of the Galway Youth Jazz Orchestra's collaboration with Ian Shaw, Michael Buckley and the Phil Ware Trio in the Great Southern Hotel. Open rehearsals for this fnale take place throughout the weekend and you are invited to watch them being put through their paces by the maestros. The legendary Danny Moss with Jeanie Lamb and Louis Stewart bring the festival to a close on Sunday in the Radisson. These old friends will be out for an evening of hard swinging jazz. Don't miss it!

Throughout Saturday and Sunday the Bang & Olufsen Listening Sessions take place in The Ruby Room of the Kings Head and in Nimmo's Wine Bar. Take a peek inside the artist's mind as they play recorded examples of the music they love and give us their insight. Using superior sound systems from Bang & Olufsen, recorded jazz never sounded so good!
Workshops

Choose between the 'Contemporary Syncopation' rhythm workshop with Sean Carpio, the Alexander Technique with Frederico Betti, a vocal workshop with Ian Shaw, an improvisation workshop with Greg Burk or the open rehearsals of the Galway Youth Jazz Orchestra by Ian Shaw and Michael Buckley.
Fringe events & Festival Club

The Galway Jazz festival Programme also includes a broad range of complementary jazz sessions in venues such as the Huntsman, the Marriot Courtyard Hotel, Tigh Neachtain, Monroe's, the Ruby Room at the King's Head, the Spanish Arch Hotel and Bar Cuba

Finally, round the day off by joining us at the Galway Jazz Festival Club in the Radisson SAS Backstage Bar Friday and Saturday night 11pm til late.

Tickets available from the Town Hall Theatre Box Office (091-569777).
For full programme details visit www.galwayjazzfestival.com

Maria Moynihan
Galway Jazz Festival
Galway

00353872432644
maria@galwayjazzfestival.com

Festival