Wood Quay Summer Sessions
Founded by Dublin City Council and presented in association with First Music Contact, Improvised Music Company, Contemporary Music Centre, & Music Network, the Wood Quay Summer Sessions allow music fans to experience an incredible mix of music from new and established traditional, jazz, contemporary and alt-rock acts. In 2020, the series went online for lunchtime concerts broadcast from Dublin City Council’s beautiful Wood Quay Venue.
Young Irish Jazz Musician
The inaugural Young Irish Jazz Musician event, presented by Limerick Jazz in association with Improvised Music Company, will provide a platform for the best of emerging young jazz talent (aged 13-18) on the island of Ireland, giving outstanding young jazz musicians the chance to be heard by leading Irish jazz musicians and broadcasters. In University Concert Hall, Limerick on the evening of Sunday 10th April 2022, finalists will perform with a Limerick Jazz house band for a panel of judges, led by world-renowned composer and legendary Limerick musician Bill Whelan. This is the first of what is planned to be a regular event to give a platform to the best of emerging Irish jazz talent. The Young Irish Jazz Musician will get to make a professional studio recording, participate in UCH’s Rising Stars Concert, and receive a bursary to take part in an international summer school.
Hotter than July
Proudly presented by Improvised Music Company in association with Dublin City Council, Hotter than July has become a staple of the Dublin summer calendar, celebrating the cultural diversity of Dublin city through music and dance from around the world. A full programme of upbeat music and dance, it is high quality event that is accessible to all, offering a kaleidoscope of joyful music from around the world, for an event that everyone can enjoy.
BAN BAM Commission & Development Award
A new creative commissioning and career development opportunity open to Irish-born or resident female composers on the island of Ireland (North and South) presented by Improvised Music Company (IMC) and Moving on Music (MOM). Following IMC’s ‘BAN BAM’ activity in 2017/18 promoting women in jazz and improvised music, combined with MOM’s extensive experience with their emerging artists programme, IMC and MOM are pleased to come together with a commission and development opportunity for female and gender-minority artists across the island of Ireland. This commission was open to female and gender-minority music makers who compose broadly in the genre of jazz, and/or creative improvised music. The composers each receive a commission fee to compose for duo, trio or quartet. The composition period is followed by 12 months of bespoke creative and career development support and consultation from IMC, MOM and selected industry professionals.
To learn more about BAN BAM for programmers and organisations, check out our Intro to BAN BAM.
See more about BAN BAM here on our website.
Afrobeat Series 2021
In December 2021, a three-part live series of Afrobeat Evenings from Improvised Music Company, Choice Cuts, and Dublin City Council took place at The Sugar Club. Presented as part of Dublin City Council’s Live Local Performance Scheme supported by the Department of Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport & Media. Featuring Niwel Tsumbu's Heartbeat, Yankari Afrobeat Collective, Elikya, Selu & the Living Things, and Manden Express, a rich experience of the musical world of Afrobeat with some of Ireland’s top musicians, an exciting array of eclectic ensembles, integrating a wide range of influences.