Jazzpool NRW ft. Matthew Halpin

Thursday 7th December
The Cooler at The Complex
Doors 8pm / Music 8:30pm

Cologne-based Irish saxophonist Matthew Halpin leads a European seven-piece jazz supergroup, bringing top musicians from the Irish and German jazz scenes together for an evening of no-holds-barred music-making. Part of the prestigious WDR Jazzpool Irish-German partnership, Matthew brings together outstanding voices in the European jazz scene.

Irish representatives include Halpin, Berklee-graduate Scott Kohlmann on guitar, and critically acclaimed bassist of Roamer, Obsany and Jim Black's Smash and Grab, Simon Jermyn. From Germany, also a Berklee graduate, guitarist Philipp Wisser studied released his critically-acclaimed debut album “Just a Glimpse” in 2021 on JazzSick Records, and trumpeter Jakob Bänsch has been one of the youngest ever members of the Federal Jazz Orchestra in 2020 and a member of the 'WDR Big Band Composers Fellowship'.

The group is organised and rounded out by two outstanding musicians and long-time pillars of the jazz world - Wolfgang Schmidtke on saxophones and Peter Weiss on drums. An artistic director and lecturer as well as performer, Schmidtke has worked with Ginger Baker, Karlheinz Stockhausen, Tom Mega, & Peter Brötzmann amongst others. Drummer Weiss has played with Uli Beckerhoff, Hendrik Soll, Peter Brötzmann, Norma Winstone, & many more, playing widely across the world.

Matthew Halpin was the first Irish musician to receive the presidential scholarship to study at the prestigious Berklee College of Music. His critically-acclaimed debut album 'Agreements' was released in 2021, featuring Kit Downes on hammond organ, Hanno Busch on electric guitar, Sergio Martinez on percussion, and Sean Carpio on drums.

The group hit Dublin on 7th December all horns blazing. Expect creative new work composed by all members of the band, and rich exploratory improvisation from a team of top-notch players.

Jazzpool NRW also play at Lillie’s in Sligo on Dec 8th at 8pm.

These concerts are made possible with support from NRW and the Goethe Institute.

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.