Flyin' Higher - Tommy Halferty at 80
“Harmonically and melodically, Halferty is a distinctive guitarist...” - The Irish Times
A birthday celebration for Ireland's legendary elder statesman of the jazz guitar, featuring a new work by Ronan Guilfoyle written as a tribute to Tommy's life and work, along with a selection of arrangements by Guilfoyle of Tommy's own works. Featuring collaborators old and new, join us to celebrate the life and music of Tommy Halferty.
Throughout his rich and varied career Halferty’s signature guitar sound, tonally heavy, brimming with juicy bebop lines and fat chordal arrangements has been instrumental in shaping the sound of the Irish jazz.
Dublin has always been a ‘guitar town’ with influences from the late great Louis Stewart defining generations of guitar players. The same can be said for Halferty who has been equally influential as a guitarist but also as a composer, educator and mentor to many Irish musicians over the years.
Halferty’s professional career began in the late 70’s, when he featured in jazz fusion bands like ‘Jump’ & ‘Nunn’. From the off, Halferty wove in classical, folk, Irish traditional and rock influences, distilling it into his own unique jazz signature, something that remains a hallmark of his playing to this day. A longer trio stint in the mid ‘80’s with drummer John Wadham and bassist Ronan Guilfoyle cemented his reputation as a world class guitarist.
He has shared stages with international jazz luminaries such as Lee Konitz, Benny Golson, Ronnie Cuber, George Mraz, Dave Liebman and vocalist Norma Winstone. Halferty has excelled in intimate duo settings, evidenced by his long time collaboration with fellow Irish guitarist Mike Nielsen as well as duos with international heavyweights like John Abercrombie and John Ethridge.
“Tommy Halferty's superb duo album with Mike Nielsen is perhaps the finest Irish jazz recording ever made” - The Sunday Tribune
Tommy Halferty has been one of the key architects and foundations for today’s vibrant Irish jazz scene, as well as adding to the reputation of Irish jazz internationally. Celebrate his life and music with IMC this October.
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 black 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.
Children under the age of 18 are welcome to attend events at The Cooler but must be supervised at all times by a parent or guardian. See here for further details.
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.
