Guitarist and composer Aengus Hackett has been burgeoning jazz in the West of Ireland for more than 10 years. Through work with Galway Jazz Festival and his acclaimed’JAZZGate’ series, Aengus has performed with many of Ireland’s leading artists such asMike Nielsen, Tommy Halferty, Conor Guilfoyle and RTÉ ConTempo Quartet.
Aengus is a regular recipient of various awards from the Arts Council of Ireland. He was also awarded the competitive MISP grant for his group Aengus Hackett Trio, featuring two of Ireland’s leading jazz improvisers Derek Whyte and Matthew Jacobson. Aengus regularly collaborates in duo with eminent guitarist Mike Nielsen, most recently on a programme exploring the music of Cole Porter.
Aengus has studied jazz in New York and is a graduate of the prestigious Conservatory ofAmsterdam, where he studied under world-renowned guitarist Jesse Van Ruller.
As a composer and producer, Aengus’ original music draws on his diverse influences, combining elements of jazz, free improv, rock, electronica and folk. A versatile musician, his creative projects include explorations of Irish and Turkish folk music with vocalist Sanem Kalfa (winner of Montreux Jazz Award), and ‘In Flow’, aJavanese Gamelan ensemble with That’s Life, award-winning arts program for adults with disabilities.
Under his producer alias ‘Penji’, Aengus has released an electronica EP to widespread acclaim. A follow-up release is planned for later this year, as well as his debut album with the Aengus Hackett Trio.
Cian O’Connell, Connacht Tribune, 2020“It is not overstating it to describe Galway native Aengus Hackett as one of the most proficient jazz guitarists in the country. ”