Get Ready to Groove at The Limerick Jazz Festival

Julia Labedz
Sep 23, 2024
2 min read

Updated: Mar 3

The Limerick Jazz Festival is back from September 26th to 29th, and is set to be full of fantastic jazz performances, interactive workshops, and jazz trails!

The festival, now in its 13th edition, promises a great line-up, bringing together a mix of international jazz icons, homegrown talent, and emerging artists. Here’s a look at what’s on.

What’s On

1. Live Concerts and Performances

Kicking off on Thursday night Romanian singer Aleka Potinga will take the stage to perform music from her 2024 EP Romania: Songs of Love and Longing. Her style combines Romanian folk traditions with jazz and rock elements, creating a cosmopolitan blend that reflects her musical journey across borders.

Following her performance, Chris Guilfoyle’s Oxygen Thief trio, known for their fusion of jazz, math rock, and electronica, will continue the evening. Aleka will also join the trio for a unique collaboration.

Returning to Limerick is acclaimed American saxophonist and composer Benjamin Boone. Boone, who was a U.S. Fulbright Scholar at the University of Limerick’s Irish World Academy of Music during 2022-2023. His performance will feature collaborations with local talents such as John Daly, Joe O’Callaghan, Dan Bodwell, and JaYne, making this one of the festival’s most anticipated events.

London-based saxophonist and composer Emma Rawicz will make her Limerick debut, with her performance promising to bring fresh energy to the festival.

The festival will close on Sunday afternoon at Dolan’s with with Benjamin Boone taking the stage once more with his ensemble, followed by the much-anticipated return of internationally acclaimed guitarist Andreas Varady and his Trio.

2. Free Jazz Trails

Saturday afternoon will see the return of the popular Jazz Trail, which turns the streets of Limerick’s City Centre into a live music hotspot. The Jazz Trail will feature a variety of performances, including Steve’s Big Band and smaller groups drawn from the Limerick Jazz Workshop. This event highlights the strength of the local jazz scene and reflects the continued growth and development of jazz in the region.

3. Jazz Masterclasses and Workshops

Ever wanted to learn how to scat sing like Ella Fitzgerald or get behind a double bass like Charles Mingus? This year’s festival features interactive workshops and masterclasses, where jazz experts will teach the ins and outs of various instruments and vocal techniques. It’s a perfect opportunity to learn something new!

Workshops include:

Improvisation Techniques
Jazz Piano for Beginners
Exploring Rhythm and Groove

When and Where?

The festival kicks off on Thursday, September 26th, and runs until Sunday, September 29th. Throughout the festival, performances and events will take place across Limerick’s most iconic venues, including: