Laois concert of legendary Miles Davis jazz tunes in Portlaoise not to be missed

There'll be a rare opportunity to enjoy landmark jazz tunes composed by legendary American trumpeter Miles Davis played by real musicians in Laois at the Portlaoise Jazz Festival over the St Brigid's Day bank holiday weekend.

The Laois Music Centre is set to host a highlight of this year’s Portlaoise Jazz Festival with a performance and workshop by the Conor Guilfoyle Octet on Saturday, January 31.

First up, from 11.30 am to 1pm, there will be a free-to-attend workshop for students aged 10 upwards, beginners to advanced. Participants will be given a chance to see what it’s like to improvise with a professional jazz band. 

Shortly afterwards, at 3pm, the Octet will perform the music of legendary jazz trumpet player Miles Davis’s ‘Birth of the Cool’.

Rosa Flannery is the Music Development Officer with Music Generation Laois / Laois School of Music. She believes it is a not-to-be-missed show.

"This is a rare opportunity for music students and music appreciators alike to experience an elite-level jazz concert on their doorstep," she said.

Admission to the concert is free and no advanced booking is required. Spaces on the workshop are also free but must be booked in advance. Tap here to book.

On January 21st, 1949, the great jazz trumpeter Miles Davis assembled a nonet of four brass, two saxophones and rhythm section to record four tracks with eight more to come in April 1949 and March 1950. These recordings would make jazz history creating what we now call the ‘Birth of the Cool’ sessions.

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The Conor Guilfoyle Octet is led by one of Ireland’s leading drummers and educators, the members of the octet are handpicked by Conor and represent the finest players on the scene today.

The octet music has looked back to the 1950’s, to a style associated with the west coast called “Cool Jazz”, the origins which really began on the east coast with the seminal ‘Birth of the Cool’ recordings, though they also play hard bop classics by Horace Silver, Benny Golson and Tadd Dameron.

The members of The Conor Guilfoyle Octet:

• Conor Guilfoyle – Drums
• Bill Blackmore – Trumpet
• Paul Dunlea – Trombone
• Yuzaha O’ Halloran – Alto Saxophone
• Patrice Brun – Tenor Saxophone
• Kelan Walsh – Baritone Saxophone
• Luke Howard - Piano
• Barry Rycraft – Bass

The workshop and performance is funded by LOETB Local Creative Youth Partnership. Laois Music Centre is located on Church Avenue, Portlaoise (R32 Y074), parking available on-street or in nearby car parks only.

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The festival takes place across over 20 venues around the town with 40 acts taking to the stage, entertaining locals and visitors over three days packed with all sorts of jazz. There will also be performances on the opening night in the Dunamaise Arts Centre.

The three-day event opens on Friday evening, January 30, with a headline performance by jazz guitarist Lee Meehan and his quartet at the Dunamaise.

Laois Music Centre houses Music Generation Laois and Laois School of Music. Laois Music Centre was established in 2018, and is a partnership between Laois and Offaly Education and Training Board and Laois County Council. Over 800 people access music programmes, ensembles, bands and orchestra opportunities in Laois Music Centre each week.

See www.musicgenerationlaois.ie for more details. Music Generation Laois is part of Music Generation, Ireland’s National music education programme, co-funded by U2, The Ireland Funds and The Department of Education and Youth. Locally Music Generation Laois and Laois School of Music are part of Laois and Offaly Education and Training Board and supported by Laois County Council.