First ever Kildare Jazz Festival launched

Riverbank Arts Centre are thrilled to announce that they will host the inaugural Kildare Jazz Festival from November 10 to 12.

Curated by Kasia Eliasz and supported by the Festival Investment Scheme Funding from The Arts Council and Riverbank Arts Centre, the Kildare Jazz Festival is set to become a highlight in Kildare’s music calendar.

The festival will run over three days beginning on Friday 10 November and will feature musicians from all over the world, including Peruvian guitarist Rodrigo Almonte and three-time Grammy Award winning Brazilian percussionist Rogerio Boccato.

On Friday 10, music fans will be treated to Brazilian guitarist Gustavo de Morais who will be followed by award-winning vocalist Lauren Kinsella at 9:15pm.

Saturday will see Irish interdisciplinary composer Bianca Gannon take to the stage at 5pm. RBG Trio, a collective of Ireland’s leading jazz musicians, will perform at 7pm. Music fans are in for a real treat at 9:15pm when Rodrigo Almonte and Rogerio Boccato come together with fellow musicians Lorenzo Vitolo on piano, Rafael Abdala on double bass, Roberto Pistolesi on drums, and Daniel Juárez on tenor saxophone.

On Sunday 12, Jazz & Bossa Nova Duo LR Project will hold an intimate gig in the foyer at Riverbank Arts Centre where patrons will be treated to complimentary beverage of their choice.

Tickets are limited for this performance so make sure to book in advance! Irish/Dutch songwriter Patrick Stefan will then close the festival with Moroccan artist Aziz Ozouss at 3:30pm.

Workshops will be hosted in Newbridge Town Hall over the course of the festival. On Saturday Ta Tum Tum! bring their exciting samba workshop for children and their adults to Newbridge Town Hall.

Then on Sunday Alessandra Azevedo from Salvador offers an Introduction to Afro-Brazilian Dance for adults – expect sixty mins of Samba-Reggae, Ijexá and other exciting rhythms from the north of Brazil. Singer, composer and Director of Kildare Jazz Festival Kasia Eliasz states: "Launching the Kildare Jazz Festival is a dream come true for us. Jazz has always been close to our hearts, with its unique ability to bring people together through music.

“Riverbank Arts Centre was a clear choice for our jazz festival because of its ideal setting and commitment to the arts, providing the perfect stage for our musical celebration.

“Looking ahead, we see the Kildare Jazz Festival as an annual tradition that continues to grow. Our vision is for it to become a platform for emerging artists, a wellspring of inspiration for future generations of music enthusiasts, and a symbol of unity within our community.

“Our ultimate aim is for the Kildare Jazz Festival to be synonymous with outstanding jazz music, eagerly anticipated by both locals and visitors, and a cultural cornerstone of Kildare. We’re thrilled to start this adventure with fellow jazz enthusiasts, making unforgettable memories along the way.”

Caroline Williams, Venue Director at the Riverbank adds “We are thrilled to host this first iteration of the Kildare Jazz Festival and welcoming so many virtuosic, exciting musicians to our stage. Kasia Eliasz has curated a dynamic and exciting programme – whether you come to a single event or the full weekend, you are in for a musical treat and a great atmosphere.”

Tickets are €10 per event, €15 for day ticket or €40 for full weekend ticket (workshops not included), workshops are priced at €5 per ticket and can be booked through the Box Office, either in person or by telephone on 045 448327 Monday to Friday 9.30am-5pm (closed for lunch 2-2.30) and Saturday 10am-1pm. Tickets can also be booked 24/7 on www.riverbank.ie  - Online tickets subject to €1 booking fee per ticket.