Bray Jazz Festival has announced its return after a two-year break due to the pandemic. It will take place from 29 April to 1 May with a series of concerts and workshops from Irish and international musicians in venues across Bray including Mermaid Arts Centre, the Harbour Bar, and Bray Town Hall. 

The first concert on 29 April will see American jazz guitarist and composer Bill Frisell performing with his long-standing trio including Tony Scherr on bass and drummer Kenny Wollesen. British-Bahraini trumpeter Yazz Amhed – who was awarded Album of the Year and Band of the Year at the 2020 Jazz FM Awards, and the Ivor Novello Award for Innovation in the same year – will perform at Mermaid Arts Centre on 30 April. Ahmed’s concert will be opened by pianist Randy Ingram and his trio featuring drummer Kevin Brady and bass player Dave Redmond. Norwegian pianist Tord Gustavsen performs with his trio on 1 May, a concert that will be opened by Ireland-based pianist Carole Nelson and her trio. 

World-renowned bass player Renaud Garcia Fons and theorbo player and eastern music expert Claire Antonini, who have been performing as a duo for several years, will play a concert at Bray Town Hall (30 April); while US bassist Michael Janisch and his band will play at the Whale Theatre in Greystones on 29 April. On 1 May, Israeli chromatic harmonica player Ariel Bart and her trio will perform at Bray Town Hall.

The festival will also feature a number of matinee concerts at Mermaid Arts Centre including drummer Conor Guilfoyle and his octet performing Miles Davis’ classic album The Birth of the Cool in its entirety (30 April); and Italian bassist Ilaria Capalbo’s Quintet (1 May). 

In addition, Bray Jazz Festival will present a programme of free concerts at the Harbour Bar, including Irish acts Origin Story (29 April), ÄTSCH (29 April), the Aoife Doyle Band (30 April), Richie Buckley Quartet (1 May), Tudo Bem (1 May), the Latin Jazz Quintet (30 April), the Andrea Jones Quartet (30 April), and Shane Latimer’s Quartet (1 May). 

A free to attend workshop, hosted by Janisch, will take place at the Mermaid Arts Centre on Saturday morning (30 April). The workshop, titled ‘Tips & Techniques to Play Jazz, Funk and Swing Grooves’, will see Janisch and band mates Tim Armacost (saxophones) and Marc Ayza (drums) provide guidance for musicians of all levels. The workshop is free but places must be booked in advance. 

Commenting on this year’s event, Festival Director George Jacob said:

It’s amazing to be back, and has been incredible to see ticket sales moving as well as they have been doing over the past few weeks. We’re indebted to the Arts Council for their continuing support for Bray Jazz, and are also grateful to Wicklow Co Council and our other sponsors for their unwavering support.

For further information and tickets, visit: www.brayjazz.com.