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30th anniversary concert broadcast live on RTÉ lyric fm for Culture Night

“A highly satisfying debut that hits the gut and touches the heart, “Note to Self” introduces a fine quartet and makes the case unequivocally for Colarossi as an emerging talent embarking on an exciting journey.” All About Jazz
“Laoise Kelly is a young harpist with the disposition of an iconoclast and the talent and technique of a virtuoso.” Irish Times
“Butt’s account of Britten’s poignant cello suites falls absurdly easily on the ear. Technically perfect and commanding of the closest attention, this is a debut to enhance any label” The Independent on Sunday (UK)
“Ulaid features three supreme instrumentalists, gifted composers and talented interpreters of traditional and original music in one explosive package” Irish Music Magazine

To celebrate Music Network’s 30th anniversary, we have planned a very special event for Culture Night with our long standing media partner, RTÉ lyric fm. Join presenters Ellen Cranitch and Carl Corcoran and a stunning line-up of artists from the worlds of jazz, trad, classical and contemporary music on The Purple Vespertine live from RTÉ Studio 1.   Featuring an eclectic range of music including jazz from the Julien Colarossi Quartet, harpist Laoise Kelly, cellists William Butt and Christopher Ellis performing Haydn and Barrière, the traditional group Ulaid with vocalist Gráinne Holland and the Norwegian trad/folk ensemble, the Gjermund Larsen Trio. Join us live in studio or tune in from 10pm. Ticketed with limited access, advance booking essential. Contact Aisling (publicity@musicnetwork.ie) to reserve. Making live music happen around the country, Music Network is funded by the Arts Council.
Julien Colarossi Quartet
Originally from Italy, guitarist and composer Julien Colarossi, has established himself as one of the most exciting young guitarists to emerge in recent years on the Irish contemporary jazz scene, gaining a strong reputation not only as a performer but also as a composer and teacher. For Culture Night, he will perform with Darragh Hennessy (piano), Dave Redmond (double bass) and Dominic Mullan (drums). High energy, effective arrangements and collective improvisation are the main feature of the quartet, alongside the capacity to drag the crowd into the stream of energy projected by the band’s soulful and thoughtful music.
Laoise Kelly
Virtuoso harpist Laoise Kelly “…virtually reinvents the instrument with her rhythmic and melodic intricacy, her syncopation and undulating chords and harmonies…” according to The Irish Times. A founding member of traditional group ‘The Bumblebees’ with whom she recorded two albums and toured worldwide, Laoise has also recorded with many of Ireland’s foremost artists including The Chieftains, Sharon Shannon, Dónal Lunny, Tommy Makem, Matt Molloy and Mary Black, as well as with Kate Bush and American country/bluegrass icon Tim O’Brien. She has toured and performed in all corners of the globe from Africa, Japan and Russia to New Zealand, Australia, Argentina, the US and Canada.
William Butt & Christopher Ellis
William Butt, an undisputed master of the classical solo cello repertoire, enjoys a busy career as soloist, chamber musician and professor of cello at the Royal Irish Academy of Music in Dublin. On the concert platform he has performed extensively throughout Ireland, the UK, Europe and the Far East. His performances have been broadcast on BBC radio 3 (in recital as well as concerti with the Ulster Orchestra), BBC radio Ulster, BBC world service, national television in China, CBC (Canada) and RTÉ radio and television. His recordings of the solo cello suites of Benjamin Britten and J.S. Bach on the Warner Classics label have been widely lauded.
Christopher Ellis is a star in the ascendant and at just 19 years of age has already been hailed for showing “a prodigious mastery of the cello” (Belfast Telegraph).  Currently a student at the prestigious Paris Conservatoire in the classes of Marc Coppey and Pauline Bartissol, his performing career has taken him to the U.S.A. and China, as well as venues and festivals throughout Europe.
Together they will perform duos by Haydn and Barriere.
Ulaid with singer Gráinne Holland
John McSherry and Dónal O’Connor are the creative force behind the highly innovative traditional band At First Light. They have toured the world extensively and produced some of the most influential albums in Irish music today. Tony Byrne has performed and recorded with such acts such as Danú, John McSherry, Sharon Shannon, Michael McGoldrick, Gerry O’Connor, David Munnelly Band, Matt Molloy and Paul Brady, and also withthe legendary guitarist Tommy Emmanuel and banjo virtuoso Bela Fleck. Featuring new compositions which sit comfortably alongside traditional pieces from 19th Century collections, plus fresh and progressive arrangements, coupled with occasions of free form solos, Ulaid will take you on an emotive and uplifting musical journey.
Gráinne Holland is a singer / songwriter from Belfast with unique vocal strength and beauty. Dedicated to forging new territory for Gaelic song, Gráinne’s innovative approach breathes new life into the verses of old. Gráinne’s passion for the creation of new contemporary ambiences for traditional Gaelic song has conceived two stunning albums to date; ‘Teanga na nGael’ (2011) & ‘Gaelré’ (2015).
Gjermund Larsen Trio
Gjermund Larsen Trio has identified a distinctive character where elements of folk, chamber jazz, bluegrass, baroque and contemporary music are fused. Fiddler Gjermund Larsen was already an experienced and highly sought-after musician by the time he was awarded the New Artist Prize and a recording contract by the record company Grappa in 2007. This gave him the opportunity to make his first record with the other two members of his trio, Andreas Utnem (piano/harmonium) and Sondre Meisfjord (double bass). The trio’s debut album, Ankomst, earned a Norwegian Grammy award. Gjermund was nominated in the category of best popular composer for the follow-up album, Aurum, and the album itself was also nominated as best folk music album.
Music Network’s mission is to make live music available and accessible to as many people as possible and the forthcoming Autumn 2016 season provides an opportunity to see some of the world’s foremost musicians throughout the country at affordable prices. Spanning a range of music from traditional Irish and Scottish to western swing from Texas, a harp and clarinet chamber duo, and an award winning concert pianist, as well as magnificent choral music and a spectacular large-scale harp performance, this season reveals a multitude of musical riches to experience. Details at www.musicnetwork.ie.
For listings editors:
Music Network presents
30th anniversary concert broadcast live on RTÉ lyric fm for Culture Night
Featuring: Julien Colarossi Quartet / Laoise Kelly / William Butt & Christopher Ellis / Ulaid / Gjermund Larsen Trio
Friday 16th September 2016
10 – 11:30 pm (Doors 9:30pm)
Studio 1, RTE Radio Centre, Donnybrook, Dublin 4
Free but ticketed with limited access, advance booking essential, four tickets max per person. Contact Aisling (publicity@musicnetwork.ie) to reserve.
Please note, as this concert takes place in a live broadcast setting, guests are asked to remain in their seats for the duration of the concert.
www.musicnetwork.ie