Paul Dunlea's 'Four Corners' featuring Michael Janisch
A native of Cork, Ireland, where he still resides, Paul Dunlea is an accomplished trombonist, composer and arranger of exceptional skill. Holding both a degree in trombone performance and a Masters in composition Paul is the Director of the New Irish Jazz Orchestra and Artist in Residence of the Guinness Cork Jazz Festival. While his focus is unquestionably jazz and improvised music, his versatility has also made him an in-demand sideman, working with a diverse range of high profile artists including Michael Bublé, Cassandra Wilson and Frankie Valli. His compositions and arrangements have been performed by jazz luminaries such as Gwilym Simcock and Stan Sulzmann as well as Irish singer/songwriter Mick Flannery. Surprisingly this is Paul’s first tour as leader outside of Ireland and he is taking the opportunity to present an entirely new suite of music, “Cogadh na Saoirse” (“Fight for Freedom”), which is making its debut here at the 606. As Paul explains, the suite “draws inspiration from and reflects the turbulence and legacy (both positive and negative) of the Irish War of Independence” and “explores how its echoes reverberate through the political climate today”. To join him in this endeavour, Paul has chosen three extraordinary, world class musicians: Michael Janisch-double bass (Joe Lovano, Claire Martin OBE), Steve Hamilton-piano (Billy Cobham, Bill Bruford) and Andrew Bain-drums (Jacqui Dankworth, Dave Liebman). A truly impressive talent, we are pleased to welcome Paul and his outstanding quartet to the Club for this premiere.
“a thoughtful and sensitive composer, with a gift for blending instruments to paint pictures in sound” The Irish Independent; "Dynamic Precision" Jazzwise; "Dunlea....combines strong, often rather romantic, melodies with tight grooves" All About Jazz