Saturday

Sunday

JOHNNY GRIFFIN
with the
PETER KING QUINTET
& STRINGS

 A hard-bopper to his fingertips, tenor sax legend Johnny Griffin from Chicago joined Lionel Hampton at 17 and has had a star-studded career in the company of Coltrane, Mobley, Art Blakey's Jazz Messengers, Monk, Lockjaw Davis and more. He moved to Europe in '62 with the Clarke/Boland Big Band and travels the world from his chateau in central France. His famous high speed inventiveness is balanced with his sensuousness in ballads.

Johnny joins Europe's top alto sax ace Peter King and his quintet in a special programme of "Jazz with Strings" to celebrate the music of Charlie Parker, Coltrane and others.

This all star line-up includes Gerard Presencer (flugelhorn); Jason Rebello (piano); Jeremy Brown (bass); Stephen Keogh (drums) - with the STRING SECTION led by Alan Smale.

ROOTS

ROOTS is an all-star jazz repertory band created in '91. On its current European tour the band celebrates the music of Charlie Parker and Dizzy Gillespie.

Founder member Arthur Blythe (alto) is one of the most gifted and original improvisers in jazz. From Los Angeles, he's worked with Gil Evans, Lester Bowie, The Leaders, The World Saxophone Quartet and more.

Top multi-instrumentalist Nathan Davis is also a renowned composer/educationalist. His CV includes work with Blakey, Kenny Clarke, Byrd, Dolphy, Griffin, Henderson.

Creative genius Chico Freeman (tenor/soprano) from Chicago leads his dynamic Brainstorm group, works with The Leaders and with his father Von.

Gifted composer/arranger/reedsman Jerome Richardson has worked with hampton, Mingus, Dameron, Mulligan, Hines, Peterson, Quincy Jones, Gillespie, Hancock and with singers such as Dinah Washington, Sarah Vaughan and Peggy Lee.

 Versatile pianist Kirk Lightsey from Detroit has worked and recorded with dozens of big names such as Burrell, O'Day, Hubbard, Baker, Murray, Sanders and Dexter Gordon.

Top US bassist, Mike Richmond, from Philadelphia, has had a wonderful jazz career with Herman, Gil Evans, Laws, Brookmeyer, Silver, Getz and the Mingus Dynasty Band.

The impeccable timing of master musician Ed Thigpen has supported legends such as Ella, Petersen, Tristano, Bud Powell, Hodges, Gordon and Benny Carter - the complete drummer.

SLIDE HAMPTON
& the
IRISH JAZZ ORCHESTRA

Featuring classic works by Ellington, Mingus, Gillespie, Metheny and more, this 19-piece big band, is made up of many of Ireland's most talented young jazz musicians. Its leader is the renowned Canadian pianist/trombonist Hugh Fraser.

Special guest Slide Hampton has worked with many great bands - Woody Herman, Maynard Ferguson, Carnegie Hall Big Band and his own ensembles. A masterly arranger and gifted trombonist, his career is one of the most distinguished in jazz.

 IJO's performances are presented in fond memory of two recently deceased band members - Dave Early and Dermot Harland.