Over 30 musicians will take part in the biggest outdoor jazz festival in the South East at Johnstown Castle from Friday, June 28 to Sunday June 30.

The fourth annual Jazz at Johnstown Festival will open with a special concert by the Johnny Taylor Trio on June 28 at 7.30 p.m. Tickets are €22.50 for members and €25 for non-members.

The second evening headliner on June 29 is The Kevin Lawlor Quartet, which will also launch the new CD, The Island, at 8 p.m. Tickets are €22.50 for members and €25 for non-members.

A full programme of live jazz, from 12pm to 5 p.m. on both Saturday & Sunday will be hosted at different locations. There will be a number of both indoor and outdoor throughout the estate. Each set will last 50 minutes.

Admission to the day programme is free for members of Johnstown Castle. Entry is €10.50 a day for non-members or €26 per day for a family of two adults and two children.

A separate admission charge is in place for the evening concerts on Friday and Saturday at the Visitors Centre. Parking is free and the venue is now served by the 390 bus route.

Well-known names on the Wexford jazz scene like Kevin Lawlor, Mel O’Reilly and Richard King will share the three-day programme, with some of the biggest names in Irish jazz, including Johnny Taylor, Carole Nelson, Cormac O’Brien and Dave Mooney.

This year’s festival celebrates the art of the jazz trio, where the interplay of excellent musicianship can endear the music to both jazz and non-jazz fans alike.

We are also adding a Latin theme to Sunday’s programme with the appearance of the Gustavo de Morais Trio and the Luisa Annibali Quartet. Expect beautiful melodies and lively energies!

Line up of Musicians:

Musicians taking part in the 2024 Jazz at Johnstown festival include Johnny Taylor, Barry Donohoe, Dominic Mullan, Mel O’Reilly, Carole Nelson, Dave Mooney, Chris Colloton, Diarmuid Lally, Killian Browne, Cillian Byrne, Lorcan Byrne, James Ian Banks, David Pepper, Tarish Matthews, Ellie Cleary, Kevin Lawlor, Joseph Leighton, Peter Vogelaar, Dave Jones, Michael McCarthy, Dylan Tonge-Jones, Miles Ronayne, Luisa Annibali, Cormac O’Brien, Daniel Rorke, Matthew Jacobson, Gustavo De Morais, Andre Antunes, Luisa Annibali, John Keogh, Matthew O’Connell, Richard King, Des McHugh, Graham Llyod, Leopoldo Osio and the County Wexford School of Music Youth Ensemble.

Entry to the day programmes is free to members of the Irish Heritage Trust. Otherwise access is included in the daily entry fee.

*Evening events are ticketed separately.

Full Programme information:

Friday 

The Johnny Taylor Trio, Visitors Centre, 7.30 p.m. 

The Johnny Taylor Trio, named after one of the finest jazz pianists on the Irish music scene, is one of the most sought after by jazz venues and festivals at home and abroad. No strangers to Jazz at Johnstown audiences, Johnny, Barry Donohoe (double bass) and Dominic Mullan (drums), open this year’s festival. This is a trio whose integrated and disciplined interplay can achieve things a jazz piano trio isn’t supposed to, endearing them to jazz and non-jazz fans alike. The level of invention achieved by exploring fresh and new sources of repertoire – no bullish pyrotechnics – is always challenging and never less than communal. Thus, creating a musical experience that you won’t forget! An evening with the Johnny Taylor Trio is one in which the band and the audience join together in intimacy and energy. Supported by PricewaterhouseCoopers. 

Saturday 

Tiny Crimes, Ballroom at Johnstown Castle, 12.10 p.m. 

Tiny Crimes look to evoke jazz of the late 1930s to early 1940s, when swing was evolving into bebop and electric guitars were making themselves heard for the first time. Two of the great electric pioneers were Charlie Christian and Tiny Grimes. Their playing helped set the standard for this new instrument. 

Tiny Crimes is a project to celebrate the music of these early pioneers, comprising – from Enniscorthy – Richard King (Ain’t Misbehavin’) and Des McHugh (The Flying Monkeys) on guitars and Graham Lloyd (Bossa Nua) on bass. Their tunes aren’t good because they are standards, they are standards because they are good. 

David Pepper, James Ian Banks, Tarish Matthews and Eilie Cleary. Visitor’s Centre, 1 p.m. 

David Pepper, from Fishguard, Wales is both a great pianist and composer. David is an admirer of what Olafur Arnalds is doing by merging organic and electronic sounds through exciting use of technology. Recently, he spent a lot of time performing, composing and improvising a project he had been working on called Finisterre. He curates many arts projects including the monthly open mic at the West Wales Arts Centre. David will accompany a trio of Fishguard’s finest emerging singers, James Ian Banks, Tarish Matthews and Eilie Cleary. Supported by the Municipal District of Rosslare.  

Chris Colloton Trio, Cart Room, 2.15 p.m.  

Guitar player extraordinaire, Chris Colloton has performed at Jazz at Johnstown since its inception. In fact his trio was the first ever headlining act. Since then he has shown his versatility by playing with seasoned performers like Mark Redmond, Sharon Clancy and Kevin Lawlor. He has applied a contemporary jazz spin to Pink Floyd’s Atom Heart Mother for Culture Night, Radiohead’s Paranoid Android and, twice last year, The Tain by Horslips. His trio will also feature Diarmuid Lally on bass and Kevin Lawlor on drums.  

Killian Browne Trio, Courtyard, 3.20 p.m. 

An eclectic and versatile pianist, Killian Browne has performed so many times at Jazz at Johnstown. So much so, he is almost part of the furniture. An innovator and experimentalist, Killian’s influences are wide and varied. But, nevertheless he distills them into a unique style that is all his own. Expect near telepathic collective improvisation with Wexford’s musical maestros Cillian and Lorcan Byrne. Supported by the Environmental Protection Agency. 

The Summer Song Trio, Visitors Centre, 4.15 p.m. 

The Summer Song Trio comprises three stellar musicians who combine swing jazz, sultry summer samba and cool bossa. Vocalist Melanie O’Reilly, pianist Carole Nelson and bassist Dave Mooney. Experience a delicious array of songs celebrating the Great American Songbook and bringing new life to the tunes of Tin Pan Alley. In the words of Dave Brubeck’s Summer Song, this trio will make “winter’s shadow seem to disappear”. 

The Kevin Lawlor Quartet, Visitors Centre, 8 p.m. 

Wexford is very fortunate to have a first class jazz musician – Kevin Lawlor – on its doorstep. Jazz at Johnstown is very fortunate to have the Kevin Lawlor Quartet headlining our second evening concert. 

And what a quartet! Kevin will be joined by the great Welsh pianist Dave Jones, Peter Vogelaar on bass and, returning from England, Joseph Leighton on guitar. 

This Jazz at Johnstown Festival special will be a cause of celebration because Kevin will feature songs from his fifth album. Titled, The Island, all original compositions ranging from swing to contemporary groove driven pieces. 

To add to the occasion, this performance will be opened by the County Wexford School of Music Youth Ensemble. Kevin is the Director of Jazz Studies here. 

Meet the band! Dave Jones has performed at Jazz Festivals internationally and recently sold out Pizza Express in London. Joseph Leighton is an up and coming guitarist on the London jazz scene. He makes up part of the faculty of the Sligo International Jazz Summer School and, like Dave, features on the album. Peter Vogelaar is a highly respected and accomplished electronic music artist and producer. Supported by PricewaterhouseCoopers. 

Sunday 

Dylan Tonge-Jones Trio, Ballroom at Johnstown Castle, 12.10 p.m. 

This trio packs a minimalist punch with the addition of the voice as a fourth instrument. Moving from melody to blending with guitar lines and nestling into chord voicings. The trio will debut Tonge Jones’ newest compositions which use 2000s alt rock and folk inspirations as a bed for improvisation, as well as playing some familiar tunes. Featuring bassist Cormac O’Brien and drummer Miles Ronayne. Supported by the Municipal District of Rosslare. 

Gustavo de Morais Trio, Visitors Centre, 1 p.m. 

Gustavo de Morais Trio brings the essence of Brazilian music with a contemporary touch.  

Drawing inspiration from Brazilian composers like Toninho Horta, Jacob do Bandolim, and Flavio Venturini, the band is led by Gustavo de Morais, a Brazilian guitarist who blends his Brazilian background with modern music.  Spontaneity, beautiful melodies, and lively energy are a hallmark of a trio that also includes the great Dublin-based Brazilian drummer and recording artist Andre Antunes, and award-winning acoustic bassist Diamuid Lally, who has been living and working in LA since graduating from the prestigious Berklee College of Music.  

Pogo Bear, the Courtyard, 2.15 p.m. 

Pogo Bear’s collective resume includes performances at some of the world’s most prestigious jazz festivals and venues. They have also engaged in collaborations with some of the biggest names in the industry. Daniel Rorke – saxophone, Cormac O’Brien – double bass and Matthew Jacobson are a high energy trio of dynamic and innovative musicians formed in the vibrant and thriving music scene in Dublin.  

They have honed their sound over recent years drawing inspiration from a wide range of musical genres. They have created a distinctive sound that is both accessible and complex. This showcases their technical proficiency and improvisational skills. Their live shows are a tour de force of energy and creativity! Each member takes turns to shine as they weave intricate melodies and harmonies together.  

From high-energy bebop to soulful ballads, this trio seamlessly blends genres and styles to create a truly unique musical experience. Individually, each member brings a wealth of experience and accolades to the group. But it is their chemistry and camaraderie that truly sets this trio apart. They share a deep love and passion for jazz music, and their joy in performing together is palpable. Whether on stage or in the studio, this trio is a true embodiment of the power of collective musical expression.  

John Keogh and Matthew O’Connell (2 Guitars), the Cart Room, 3.10 p.m. 

Duets are a great way to experience the variety of styles, tempos and harmonic progressions in jazz, and although especially effective when performed with a rhythm section, duets like 2 Guitars – John Keogh and Matthew O’Connell – present a wonderful opportunity to experience the interchangeability of jazz-laden guitar. Supported by the Environmental Protection Agency. 

Luisa Annibali Quartet, Visitors Centre, 4.10 p.m. 

Luisa Annibali is one of the leading lights in the newest generation of musicians on the Irish jazz scene. Having moved from Rome to Dublin in 2016, she has quickly established herself on the scene with her boundless enthusiasm and vocal prowess.  

Performing both in Ireland and Italy, with her original project she blends music from her native Italy with Brazilian tinges and contemporary jazz making ample room for her distinctive voice to shine through. 

Her latest recording ‘My Own Paradise’ is a perfect example of her own take on jazz. It mixes feminist themes in her lyrics with contemporary jazz undertones. This isreminiscent of artists such as Esperanza Spalding and Gretchen Parlato. The music feels fresh and cutting edge while never losing sight of its roots in the jazz standard repertoire. 

With her performance, she brings the audience throughout a joyful, inspiring and uplifting musical and emotional journey of empowerment and consciousness. She will be joined at Jazz at Johnstown by the super group of Leopoldo Osio on piano, Matthew Jacobson on drums and Cormac O’Brien on bass.