Morla

Simon Jermyn - guitar, fretless guitar, electronics
Seán Óg - alto saxophone, electronics, tape, televisions

Morla is one of the key groups to emerge from Bottlenote, a collective of creative musicians involved in improvised and new music in Dublin. This duo project brings together two of Ireland’s most engaging musicians, guitarist Simon Jermyn and saxophonist Seán Óg.

Focusing on a pared back tonal palette, reminiscent of ancient folksong traditions and coupled with quarter tone melodies and electronic soundscapes, Morla has a personal approach and sound, interweaving new composition, live processing and an insistence on meaningful improvisation.

Morla has garnered significant critical acclaim, representing Ireland at 12 Points! 2009 and have performed at several Bottlenote events, The Fold in St. Audeon’s church, The Bray Jazz Festival 2009 in The Mermaid, The Sligo New Music Festival and at the Foligno Jazz Festival opening for trumper icon Enrico Rava. They have worked with The Smith Quartet and recorded for BBC Radio 3's contemporary music programme Hear and Now.

Their projects have been generously supported by The Arts Council.

"A surprising music whose kaleidoscopic colours, textures and original lines constantly confounded expectation.” – The Irish Times

"Undeniably powerful and at times beautiful improvisation"
- All About Jazz (full article here)

“Two of the most original voices on the Dublin scene”
– Sunday Tribune