Rob Luft

Hugh Buckley

Jimmy Smyth

Tourism Ireland

Belfast Telegraph

Released in 1969, In a Silent Way marked a pivotal moment in jazz history, introducing a fusion of jazz, rock, and ambient sounds. Featuring an all-star lineup—including Wayne Shorter, Chick Corea, Herbie Hancock, John McLaughlin, and Joe Zawinul - the album is a masterclass in mood and texture. With its electric instrumentation and atmospheric approach, In a Silent Way laid the foundation for the jazz fusion movement, influencing generations of musicians. 

Paying tribute to this iconic concert will be some of Dublin’s most eclectic improvisers: Tommy Halferty on guitar, Darragh O’Kelly on keyboards, Derek Whyte on bass and Brendan Doherty on drums.

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Regarded as the most important and influential musician on the Irish jazz scene, saxophonist / flautist and composer Michael Buckley has been playing professionally since the age of six when critics hailed him as a child prodigy. Born in Dublin city in 1971 Michael first came to prominence on an International level when, aged 10, he played flute with the legendary saxophonist George Coleman in the National Concert Hall. Though largely self-taught, his obvious talent has been developed by his father Dick Buckley, and such legends as Milt Hinton. Buckley has found his own unique voice playing both on saxophone and flute.

In the last several years Buckley has been collaborating with the World Jazz Orchestra where Michael was representing Ireland, also the Edinburgh jazz festival Orchestra (led by Tim Hagans) also small group tours and concerts with Dave Liebman , John Abercrombie, Joey Baron , Jason Rebello,Nils Wolgram , Tom Rainey , Chander Sardjoe , to name but a few.

Now in his early 40s, Buckley is rapidly becoming the most important producer of his generation, with countless albums from jazz to traditional to hip hop Michael is making a name for him self internationally as a producer and engineer.

Michael will be joined by some of Ireland’s most exciting jazz talents for this special concert: Scott Flanigan on piano, Dave Redmond on bass and Brendan Doherty on drums.

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Zak Irvine is a Belfast-based jazz pianist and bandleader originally from Bangor. He is currently studying a BMus in Music at Queen’s University. With a foundation in classical music, Zak has honed his piano technique from a young age, developing a polished and versatile style. Over the years he has transitioned into jazz, discovering a new passion for improvisation and cultivating a keen ear for complex harmonies and spontaneous creativity. Now a prominent figure in Northern Irelandʼs arts scene, he brings a unique voice to local bands, blending classical roots with jazz influences to create distinctive sounds. Through regular residencies at the Courthouse in Bangor, Bert’s Jazz Bar and collaborations with other artists, he continues to push musical boundaries, exploring new genres and creating original compositions.

Zak draws a lot of his inspiration from legendary pianists in Robert Glasper, Shaun Martin, Herbie Hancock and Jazz producer Kiefer. Playing lots of covers from these artists he will also be playing some of his own compositions live for the first time!

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Join us for an unforgettable evening with the Lauren Bush Quartet, the perfect blend of traditional and contemporary jazz. Fronted by Lauren Bush, whose enchanting vocals and emotive storytelling have captured the hearts of audiences worldwide, this quartet promises a night of dynamic music and sophisticated arrangements. Known for her seamless fusion of classic jazz with a modern twist, Lauren's latest album "Tide Rises" showcases her prowess as both a vocalist and songwriter. Don't miss this chance to experience one of the leading lights in the jazz world.

Lauren will be joined by the Scott’s Jazz Club house band of Scott Flanigan on piano, Rohan Armstrong on bass and James Anderson on drums.

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Joe Webb, described as one of the UK’s most captivating young pianists, is excited to bring his music to Belfast for the first time!

With a performance CV that includes collaborations with renowned artists such as Wynton Marsalis and Jamie Cullum and Jools Holland, Joe is now making a name for himself as a band leader.

Inspired by performances together serving as the house band at in London venues for over two years, Joe began composing music specifically tailored to double bassist Will Sach and drummer Sam Jesson.

Webb’s ability to seamlessly intertwine the raw energy of 90’s “Brit pop” bands, his love for football, and his deep-rooted connection to the Jazz piano tradition, will no doubt captivate audiences and create an excitement from global audiences.

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Home/Lands is a musical exploration of home and what it means to belong, led by multi-instrumentalist & composer Alicia Gardener-Trejo.

With collaboration at the heart of the project, the band use the topography of familiar landscapes as catalysts for composition, take poems and short stories as writing prompts, and exchange musical stimulus in a pass-the-parcel approach. Their music plays with the sonic possibilities of low woodwinds & double bass, experimenting with fresh ideas of melody/bassline responsibilities. With strong influences from the world of jazz and folk, Home/Lands features improvisations, game-pieces and intricately crafted melodies.

Brodie Laird-Jarvie – Double Bass
Andrew Woodhead – Piano
Jonathan Silk – Drums
Alicia Gardener-Trejo – Baritone saxophone, flute, bass flute

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Ronan Guilfoyle has been a major figure in Irish jazz for more than thirty years, pushing the envelope of the music in the fields of composition, performance, and particularly rhythm, in which he is recognised internationally as a major innovator. For this concert Ronan presents Bemusement Arcade, his innovative new quartet devoted to expanding the rhythmic language of jazz via the tradition of blues, swing and standards. They recorded their debut album in Dublin in 2022.

Joining him in this adventure are three brilliant young musicians; Sam Norris, who at only 25 is already recognised as one of the UK’s most exciting young saxophonists; Chris Guilfoyle who has already established himself as one of Ireland’s leading guitarists, and Darren Beckett, the powerhouse Belfast drummer who carved out an international career based in New York, and now in the UK.

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Barry McCormack was born in Dublin, Ireland in 1978 and studied piano as a child. He received his first guitar from his uncle Harry and was inspired to learn by ear from Blues programs on the radio. He discovered jazz soon after that and his early heroes were Charlie Parker,  Wes Montgomery and George Benson but his most important influence was Louis Stewart who lived and played in Dublin.

Barry is a self-taught jazz guitarist and spent time transcribing the work of his favourite players and practicing his ideas with his friend the drummer Jamie Davis, an experience which was vital to his development. He lives and works in Dublin which has a rich jazz guitar scene.

Barry works in small groups and big bands, plays regularly in a duo with guitar maestro Hugh Buckley, and also in duo with renowned double bassist Derek Whyte. He is presently recording tunes for a solo album he hopes to release in the next year.

Joining Barry for his debut at Scott’s Jazz Club will be spectacular Dublin drummer and no stranger to the Scott’s Jazz Club stage Shane O’Donovan, and Scott Flanigan on organ.

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Dr Linley Hamilton MBE has been an integral part of the Irish music scene for over forty years, and has juggled a distinguished career as a trumpet player with being a radio broadcaster and an educator. Linley has 6 studio albums featuring some of the finest musicians in the world: Up to Now (2001), Taylor Made (2011), In Transition (2014), Making Other Arrangements (2018), For the Record (2020) and Ginger’s Hollow (2022), two of which spent twenty-five weeks in the US Jazzweek charts.

Linley is also co-founder of the world-renowned independent jazz venue Magy’s Farm in the Dromara Hills, alongside his Wife poet Maggie Doyle – with hundreds of musicians and 11 Grammy winners taking the stage there. Linley was recently awarded an MBE in the 2025 New Year’s Honours List, for services to the Music Industry in Northern Ireland.

Joining Linley will be Bronowski guitarist Stephen McClenahan, organist Scott Flanigan, and drummer Steve Davis.

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From the mid-1960s until the present day, the Beatles have held a fascination for jazz musicians, with jazz greats such as Count Basie, Herbie Hancock and Brad Mehldau all recording numerous songs by the Fab Four. Our co-founder and pianist Scott Flanigan continued this tradition in 2022 with a special one-off concert celebrating 60 years since the Beatles’ debut single, Love Me Do. 

Scott is delighted to bring this concert back to the Scott’s Jazz Club stage, and has arranged two sets of music by the Beatles for piano trio, focusing on some of the well known classics but the lesser-known songs as well. Joining Scott will be two of Ireland’s most respected jazz musicians, Cormac O’Brien on bass, and Kevin Brady on drums. 

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With three album releases, two national tours, and two awards from Help Musicians, Aspyrian are fast gaining a reputation as one of the most ambitious new acts on the UK jazz scene.
 
Drawing inspiration from contemporary jazz artists as well as an eclectic mix of soulful songwriters and alternative bands, the London-based trio have crafted a sound that is both captivating and distinctive – blending intricate composition with rich improvisation and immersive textures.

Following the success of their acclaimed 2024 release ‘to explore (vol. 2)’ – which garnered thousands of streams and placements on prominent jazz playlists – Aspyrian recently unveiled their latest album, ‘Live at The Jazz Glad Festival’. Capturing the trio in full flight, the recording has been praised by UK Jazz News as “a showcase of Aspyrian’s dynamism as a unit, leaning into the band’s distinct chemistry and improvisational prowess.”

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English saxophonist Nye Banfield is a distinctly creative saxophonist and composer. His music has a raw and earthy organic quality, painting visceral scenes inspired by his life experiences. Having spent nearly 10 years cutting his teeth in South East London, Nye is now based in Birmingham where he is forming the next chapter of his career. 
 
A graduate of Trinity Laban in London, Nye follows in the footsteps of a stream of young giants- Nubya Garcia, Laura Jurd and members of Ezra Collective, to name a few. Influences of Nye's include jazz icons Wayne Shorter, Ambrose Akinmusire and mentor Mark Lockheart, as well as the pastoral works of Ralph Vaughan Williams and song writing of Damon Albarn.

Described by Headfirst Bristol as “a smart and original composer who knows both the roots of modern jazz and where he intends to take his own music”, Nye takes you on a journey of richly textured composition and lyrical improvisation. To him, the most fascinating aspect of music is the ‘sound’, which is entirely evident in his tenor playing. The breadth of tone across the horn has been his focus for over 10 years.

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Based in Oslo, the Oddgeir Berg Trio have earned a reputation as one of Europe’s most distinctive modern piano trios — “a trio for the new millennium” (All About Jazz). Led by pianist and composer Oddgeir Berg, with Audun Ramo on double bass and Lars Berntsen on drums, the group combine lyrical Nordic introspection with rhythmic drive and shimmering electronic textures.

The trio's latest album, A Place Called Home, draws inspiration from the tiny Norwegian island of Rolla - where Berg’s father was born - and explores themes of memory, nature and belonging. The result is intimate, pastoral and deeply human: music that invites listeners to slow down, reflect, and find stillness.

Following acclaimed performances across Europe, the US and Asia, Oddgeir Berg Trio return to Scott’s Jazz Club with their signature blend of space, melody and quiet power. This is modern Nordic jazz at its finest.

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Guitarist Dan Nicholas spent his formative years studying with piano legend Barry Harris while immersing himself in New York City’s jazz scene. He moved to Europe in the early 2000s where he performed in all manor of venues and festivals including The North Sea Jazz Fest, London’s Ronnie Scott’s and The Duc Des Lombards in Paris. Rooted in Bebop and swing with a bluesy edge, Nicholas is equally comfortable playing in hard driving jazz combos and soulful organ based groups, accompanying vocalists, or playing solo. In a diverse career he has worked with the likes of Jeremy Pelt, Ed Cherry, Joy Brown, Gary Smulyan, Mike LeDonne, Grant Stewart, and Leon Parker among many others.

Joining Dan for his debut appearance at Scott’s Jazz Club is Dublin guitarist Lee Meehan, who has been playing guitar and singing on the Irish circuit for over fifteen years; He has has played in many blues, jazz, soul and fusion bands such as 9bars, Gotcha, Don Baker, Rob Strong band and many more - he has also recently graduated from the prestigious DCU School of Jazz/DCU. Lee’s debut record “Some Of Us Are Looking At The Stars” was released to widespread acclaim in 2024, featuring some of Ireland’s most respected jazz musicians, including saxophonist Michael Buckley.

Making up the rest of the rhythm section will be Kevin Brady on drums, and Scott Flanigan on Hammond organ.

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Born from the collaboration of lead guitarist Mateusz Chmielewski, violinist Niall Lynch, rhythm guitarist Nicolas Deschatrettes and bassist Bill Johnston, Belleville brings together influences from Swing, Bop, Gypsy Jazz and Country Western to deliver a foot-taping and finger-snapping jazz experience. Especially for Scott's Jazz club, they are joined by Matthew Dowie.

Matthew Dowie is active in a variety of styles from rock and fusion to gypsy jazz. Matthew is currently undertaking a Master’s in Music Composition at Queen’s University.

The last time Belleville performed at Scott's Jazz Club the show sold out, so book early for this one!

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Classic sound with a modern twist! One of the most prolific ensembles on the UK Jazz scene today, the Gaz Hughes Trio has captivated audiences across hundreds of performances over the last few years and are excited to present more new music for 2026.

Rooted in the timeless tradition of the piano trio, they breathe fresh life into standards and mix in a few of their own original compositions that showcases seamless interaction, bold creativity, and an infectious joy that defines their performances.

Praised for their "high level of swing and musicality" (Jazz Journal), the trio offers a live experience that's both timeless and refreshingly modern. If you like your music swinging, don't miss your chance to see one of the UK's finest jazz acts in action.

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Blossom Dearie’s singular, wispy vocal style—paired with her elegant, rhythmically playful piano work—made her a beloved figure from New York to Paris, ultimately leading to a celebrated residency in London. Admired by fellow innovators Miles Davis and Bill Evans for her minimalist yet harmonically sophisticated approach, Dearie recorded for Capitol Records and later for Fontana in England, naming the live album Blossom Time at Ronnie Scott’s as her personal favorite. Supported by the BBC and embraced by international audiences, she found her true musical home at London’s legendary Ronnie Scott’s, where her artistry reached a luminous peak—an era celebrated in this performance through selections from those live recordings and highlights from her earlier catalog.

Paying tribute to this iconic singer is a relative newcomer to the Belfast jazz scene but someone who has made a huge impression in a short time: American-born Kristine Mills. Award-winning songwriter and vocalist Kristine Mills brings an airy intimacy and wry, deadpan delivery to the stage—an approach that honors
the subtlety, wit, and understated mastery of Blossom Dearie.

Kristine’s international career has taken her through major music capitals. Highlights include guest appearances with the Duke Ellington Orchestra, a multi-city headlining tour for Jazz Festival Brazil, Belfast Culture Night, Miami Music Festival, and performances at renowned venues such as Snug Harbor (New Orleans), Parker Jazz Club (Austin), House of Blues (Houston), and Zinc Bar (NYC). Since relocating to the UK, she has appeared at premier jazz venues including PizzaExpress Jazz Club (Soho), The Pheasantry (Chelsea), Piano Smithfield (London), Scott’s Jazz Club (Belfast), Bert’s Jazz Bar (Belfast) and Belfast Empire Music Hall (Belfast). An accomplished songwriter, she has written and released four albums and a film soundtrack, reaching audiences
worldwide.

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