NAVIGATOR Artist in Residence Patrick stefan announced for Riverbank Arts Centre this August, 2025

IMC’s Navigator Jazz Residency programme was established in 2021. Since then 26 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, 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.

2024 was a breakout year for Patrick stefan, signing with Mahogany Songs after performing at Ireland Music Week, Your Roots are Showing, Whelan’s ‘Ones to Watch’ showcases, and selected as Musician in Residence at St. John’s, Listowel. Son to Dutch songwriter Jack Groenland, Patrick followed his father’s footsteps after an array of sideman collaborations as an instrumentalist with artists like Niwel Tsumbu (Rhiannon Giddens), Martin Hayes (with the award-winning Ensemble Ériu) & 2017 Eurovision winner Luisa Sobral. Patrick has supported Niamh Regan, Vieux Farka Toure, Kean Kavanagh, Shiv & more, is an Irish Arts Council Next Generation awardee, and winner of the inaugural Night & Day festival song competition with the song Head Voices.

Ahead of his Navigator residency, Patrick said:

“I'm so happy to have this time and space to develop an idea for a brand new performance that connects bird song to improvisation. My working concept is to draw a parallel between the migration of birds and the movement of humans, and in this way bird song becomes part of the global music that has accompanied our ancestors since forever. I've been exploring the sounds of birds for some time, so this is such a fun and personal way to connect those beautiful sounds to my inner music world. I'll be led by field recordings which inspire my improvisatory responses, and I'll be collaborating with two visual artists to develop the staging of this idea. Let me state my gratitude to the wonderful people at IMC & Riverbank for allowing me to explore and play!"

Matt Rafter, The Riverbank programme manager said:

“We are delighted to be a participating Navigator venue once again. Patrick stefan’s practice is bold and diverse, and we’re looking forward to welcoming him to our space for the Navigator residency, which will conclude with a public performance. While this residency opportunity provides the artist with valuable time and space for thinking and creating, each iteration also creates new artistic links in Kildare, which we hope will continue to flourish into the future.”

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.

Further NAVIGATOR artist residencies will be announced in due course.

Patrick stefan patrickstefan.com
IMC: improvisedmusic.ie
Riverbank Arts Centre: riverbank.ie