IMC Supports: Umbra & Sue Rynhart to perform at Manchester Jazz Festival 2018

Irish jazz artists Umbra and Sue Rynhart have been programmed to perform at this year’s Manchester Jazz Festival in July, as a result of the support of IMC. With thanks to Culture Ireland’s GB18 grant programme, and relationships built by IMC through the Jazz Promotion Network (UK and Ireland), there will be a significant representation of Irish Jazz from two of our most commended contemporary acts at this leading UK festival.

UMBRA

Sam Comerford - saxophones / Chris Engel - saxophone / Chris Guilfoyle - guitar / Barry Donohue - bass / Matthew Jacobson - drums

Irish quintet Umbra effortlessly move between the rich harmonic world of contemporary jazz and cyclical grooves, displaying an approach to ensemble writing that has drawn comparisons from Meshuggah and Aphex Twin to John Hollenbeck & Jim McNeely. Led by guitarist & composer Chris Guilfoyle, the music cleverly integrates this smorgasbord of influences to distill a band sound that is decidedly contemporary and indeed complex, but one which never loses sight of the melody.

Thanks to additional support from Culture Ireland’s GB18 programme, UMBRA will be performing at Manchester Jazz Festival on Thursday 26th July in Festival Square.

More information on their performance HERE.

Check out Umbra's music HERE.

SUE RYNHART

Sue Rynhart - voice / Francesco Turrisi - piano, keyboards, percussion / Dan Bodwell - double bass

Vocalist and composer Sue Rynhart is one of Ireland’s most captivating and unusual contemporary artists. Her debut album ‘Crossings’ with Dan Bodwell has reached international critical acclaim. She has sung with international Jazz artists and has performed the music from her album at prestigious festivals such as Electric Picnic, Bray Jazz Festival, Waterford New Music Week and in the Main auditorium in the National Concert Hall Dublin for the Perspectives Jazz festival.

The Sue Rynhart Trio, with acclaimed pianist Francesco Turrisi and bassist Dan Bodwell, will perform at the Manchester Jazz Festival on Thursday 26th July in Salon Perdu. More information on her performance HERE. Listen to Sue's music HERE.

We are delighted to have two such accomplished Irish jazz acts representing Irish jazz abroad. Thanks to the Jazz Promotion Network, IMC have been able to further develop relationships with British jazz promoters and festivals, such as Manchester Jazz Festival, which has allowed for some wonderful cultural exchange opportunities.

“I’m delighted to be working in partnership with IMC to be presenting two distinctive and diverse ensembles at this year’s Manchester Jazz Festival. Not only do these artists represent the very finest in original contemporary music currently being produced in Ireland, but they will intrigue our audiences with their inspiring and distinctive music-making. This collaboration also provides a wonderful opportunity for mjf to work in partnership with IMC and the GB18 programme at a time when cultural organisations across the UK are keen to nourish their international cultural relationships – near and far – for the benefit of all open-spirited artists and audiences.”

Steve Mead (Artistic Director of Manchester Jazz Festival)

Manchester Jazz Festival 2018 will take place from Friday 20th - Saturday 28th July 2018, presenting the very best in contemporary jazz music. Check out the full programme HERE.