Adjunct Ensemble
ADJUNCT ENSEMBLE make music like few others, bubbling with ambition, spanning genre, and introducing dynamic ideas with confidence and inimitable style.
“A radical expression of empathy, as stunning as its themes are crushing” - The Wire, May 2023
The invention of Belfast composer and musician, and IMC 30/30 artist Jamie Thompson, Adjunct Ensemble emerged from the 2020 lockdowns, beginning life as a remote ensemble of geographically dispersed artists from the UK and Ireland, working on a series of fragments and experiments.
Musically, Adjunct quarry the cleft where graphic and traditional notation meet. It combines open form, spoken word, electronics, deep groove, experimental music production, and creative improvised music, into a brew that snarls and swings from the get-go.
The current live offer features Jamie on piano and synths, spoken word poet Felicia Olusanya (Felispeaks), Stephen Davis (Anthony Braxton, Alexander Hawkins Ensemble) on drums and percussion, bassist John Pope (John Pope Quintet, Archipelago), and Sam Comerford (Thunderblender) on saxophone.
The debut album ‘Sovereign Bodies / Ritual Taxonomy’ (Diatribe, 2023) was released to widespread critical praise. It is a hard-hitting, colossal work, that reveals itself more with every listen. Described as “A disorientating act of resistance” by The Guardian, it was named the Contemporary Album of the Month in May 2023.
“Reminiscent of Frank Zappa at his most progressive” - Allaboutjazz Live Review
“A disorientating act of resistance” - Guardian Contemporary Album of the Month, May 2023
“Confounding musical structures in invigorating ways, creating a new language in its wake” - Dig With It, May 2023
Access notes
The performance space is up two flights of stairs and may be difficult to access for patrons with mobility issues. The space is fully seated. Gender-neutral toilet facilities are available just outside The Cooler bar (a few steps up from the level of The Cooler). Baby-changing facilities are available at The Gallery, downstairs at The Complex (using the Arran St entrance).If you have any other queries regarding accessibility or require any accommodations for seating etc, please contact us at admin @ improvisedmusic . ie and we will do our best to assist you.
Where we are
The Cooler is upstairs at The Complex Arts Centre, Dublin 7. The Cooler is accessed via the Mary's Abbey door of The Complex (just off the LUAS tracks), NOT the Arran St East entrance to The Gallery.
On Google Maps, search for The Cooler or The Depot at The Complex (the main performance space downstairs at The Complex). On Google Maps, the address for The Complex generally will bring you to the gallery on Arran St East.
The red line of the LUAS runs very close to The Cooler, taking the stop at Jervis St or at Four Courts.There is no customer parking available at The Complex. A small gated Dublin City Council car park can be accessed on Mary's Lane, around the corner at standard rates. Jervis Shopping Centre Car Park is also close by. Some street parking is available nearby - days and rates vary, please check signs.