John Donegan | The Irish Sextet
Jazzwise“...stirring in both its energetic responses to Donegan's original compositions and the sheer panache of the solo extemporisations. ”
John Donegan, UK based and originally from Cork, is a modern jazz pianist and composer. His music has been featured on the BBC, Jazz FM, RTE and independent radio stations in UK and Ireland. He has performed with a variety of UK, Irish and International artists, including Art Blakey, Art Farmer, Barney Kessel and Greg Abate, Louis Stewart and many more.
John’s major influences have been the likes of Bill Evans, Kenny Barron, Wynton Kelly, Bud Powell, Chic Corea and Keith Jarrett. The Jazz Mann describes his music as, “...varied, intelligent and unfailingly melodic, and most importantly of all it swings."
With the Irish Sextet John has drawn together a group of stellar musicians from across the four corners of the island to explore his original compositions in a soundworld with vintage bebop DNA and an Irish ear for melody.
Their debut album Shadows Linger in 2022 was described by the Jazz Mann as “...stirring in both its energetic responses to Donegan's original compositions and the sheer panache of the solo extemporisations.” The follow-up album Light Streams, was praised for “...themes that have real melodic value, each soloist, himself included, given pathways to follow which allow freedom to wander even if the way ahead is always clear.”
In 2024, John recorded the third album in this series with The Irish Sextet – We Will Meet Again, Sometime – featuring special guest Hugh Buckley on guitar. The album ventures through wholly new material, including a tribute to the late Louis Stewart, mentor and friend.
We’re delighted to welcome the Irish Sextet to The Cooler for an intimate performance of We Will Meet Again, Sometime.The sextet features the cream of Ireland’s stalwart jazzers, with Linley Hamilton on trumpet/flugel, Cathal Roche on soprano/ato sax, Doc O'Connor on tenor sax, John Donegan on piano, Dan Bodwell on bass, and John Daly on drums, together with special guest Hugh Buckley on guitar.
The Cooler is located upstairs at The Complex Arts Centre, 12 Mary's Abbey Dublin 7. The entrance to The Cooler is through the same door as The Depot at The Complex, on the Mary's Abbey side of the building, where the LUAS tracks run. The building has a red wall on the left hand side of a front plaza that has a sign reading 'The Complex', and a blue wall facing the front plaza that has a sign reading 'The Complex - Art Lives Here'.
The plaza in front of The Complex is used by the surrounding businesses and during the day is often full of fruits, vegetables or delivery vehicles. You can still access The Cooler at these times.
Above the blue artist's door, you'll see a painted sign for The Cooler (in black) and The Depot (in white). The Cooler is alsomarked by a small sign between the main glass doors (sometimes covered by blue shutters) and the blue artist's door. The glass doors will be open for performances from door times (usually 7:30pm).The Cooler cannot be accessed from the Arran St East side of The Complex - this is the entry for the Gallery and artist studios only. If you have any trouble locating the Cooler please give Caitriona a call on 087 783 3391.
To find the Cooler on Google Maps, search for The Cooler or The Depot at The Complex (the main performance space downstairs at The Complex). If you find the address for just The Complex, it will generally will bring you to the gallery on Arran St East.
The performance space is up two flights of stairs and may be difficult to access for patrons with additional mobility needs. The space is fully seated.
Gender-neutral toilet facilities are available upstairs (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).
Guide dogs and service animals are welcome. Please notify us if you will be attending with a guide dog.
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.
The red line of the LUAS runs very close to The Cooler, taking the stop at Jervis St (if travelling towards Saggart/Tallaght) or at Four Courts (if travelling towards Connolly/The Point). Many different bus lines run to Ormond Quay, Inns Quay, or Church Street, which are all a couple of streets away from The Cooler.
During the day, a small gated Dublin City Council car park can be accessed on Mary's Lane around the corner, at standard rates, but closes at 9pm.
Jervis Shopping Centre Car Park is also close by, with varying opening hours, often closing at 9pm.
Some street parking is available nearby, often free after 7pm - days and rates vary, please check signs. At the time of writing, the loading bays on Mary's Abbey (directly in front of The Complex), and the loading bays on Arran St East are both free after 7pm. Please double check signs, as these arrangements can change.
