NAVIGATOR Artist in Residence Max Zaska announced for Ballina Arts Centre this July, 2024

IMC’s Navigator Jazz Residency programme was established in 2021. Since then 16 musicians have enjoyed bespoke residencies through venue partners Ballina Arts Centre, The Source Arts Centre Thurles, An Grianán Theatre in Letterkenny, Riverbank Arts Centre Newbridge and Courthouse Arts Tinahely and Garter Lane, Waterford.

NAVIGATOR offers jazz and improvising musicians professionally remunerated time and space to develop and perform work, while building creative and professional relationships in new locations.

Max Zaska is a guitarist, songwriter, musical director, and producer best known for his feel-good blend of modern funk, neo-soul, and indie jazz. With his band, ZASKA, Max brings his original songs to life with Ireland’s rising stars, beginning with his first vocalist, Hozier. His critically acclaimed debut album, ‘It Takes A Village’, features over 25 performers including Wyvern Lingo and Loah. Named one of Ireland’s best guitarists, Max has a B.A. in Jazz Performance from the prestigious Newpark Music Centre (DCU) in Dublin and has played with jazz legends in Brazil, Italy, and Canada.

Ahead of his Navigator residency, Max said:

“Absolutely delighted to be chosen for this Navigator residency put together by IMC and Ballina Arts Centre. To have a week completely to myself to experiment and explore new concepts in the beautiful surroundings of Ballina is a huge privilege! Alongside developing music myself I'll also be leading a workshop for the local jazz core group and connecting with people in the local scene which I’m hugely excited about. It’s going to be a very special week and I can’t wait to see what new music and concepts come from it.”

Paul Cunningham, Ballina’s director said: "We are very much looking forward to welcoming Max to Ballina Arts Centre this July. We are very happy to work again this year with IMC to create this unique opportunity for a musician to have the time and space to develop their work. We can't wait to introduce Max to our audiences and the musical community of Ballina. Based on the initial conversations that we have had with him we are sure that the residency will be of enormous mutual benefit and we hope, great fun too!"

The NAVIGATOR residency programme is part of IMC's commitment to further develop the national scene for jazz and improvised music, improve artist touring mobility, develop audiences nationwide, and develop creative opportunities and fruitful new relationships for musicians.

The 2024 Navigator jazz residency programme has been expanded to 7 partners across the island of Ireland, with Garter Lane, Waterford, Riverbank Theatre, Newbridge and Crescent Arts Centre, Belfast joining the initial 4 other partners.

Further NAVIGATOR artist residencies for 2024 will be announced in due course.

IMC: improvisedmusic.ie
Ballina Arts Centre: ballinaartscentre.com
Max Zaska: zaskamusic.com