Local Acts still going strong
The creative urge pulses through Derry-Londonderry and the success of the festival is underpinned by our talented local musicians. Here’s just a small selection.
Take an enthralling jazz journey of discovery through the great American songbook with the superb vocals of the Calgach Singers and give your ears a makeover with the Balkan Alien Sounds’s unique repertoire of Eastern European and Klezmer music.
The top notch Derry Jazz Quartet are supported this year by leading trumpeter Bruce Adams, while you’re invited to chill out at an evening of easy jazz with Dougie Breslin’s Easy Jazz Quartet featuring Michael Watters (guitar) Jim McDermott (sax) and John Summers (bass).
New to the festival, the Fontelles, fronted by our own Queen of Soul, Laura Doherty, will be cooking up a musical stew of soul, R&B and modern groove with a touch of boogie. Our famous big band tradition will be gloriously celebrated by the wonderful Foyle Jazz Ensemble; festival debutantes the Lumen Christi Big Band with their outstanding brass and rhythm sections and the Rare Groove Funk Orchestra – a mix of the North West’s finest musicians, fronted by vocal powerhouse Mirenda Rosenberg.
From one of the city’s top musical families, Joe Quigley is one of Ireland’s finest guitarists, while dad Johnny is a great entertainer, with a sizzling programme of trad jazz and standards.
Pump up the beat with the electric Pure Fresh and their comprehensive range of pop and rock and the fabulous Mindbenders with their explosive mix of soul, funk, rock and pop.
Devotees of jazz piano won’t want to miss the peerless Paul McIntyre, one of the best in Ireland, and his father the legendary Gay McIntyre, who has worked with some of the superstars of jazz. Phyllis Curran, another talented newcomer to the festival, brings the best of jazz standards and classics while Jim McDermott and Friends will provide afternoon sessions with some of Ireland’s finest musicians.
