December 2008
With the year grinding down i thought i would say thanks for your support during my busiest year to date. The highlights of 2008 included the release of Trihornophone's second CD (an ideal stocking filler - available from my site); Tours with Trihornophone, Dorothy Murphy's Circleways, Rebecca Collins; Irish debut of Kaum Quartett; Bottlenote Collective nights, Three recording sessions in RTE's Studio 8 for The JK Ensemble, being awarded the 2008 Best Young Artist Award from the Cork Jazz Festival and a slew of other work.
Thanks also must go to The Arts Council, Music Network, Improvised Music Company and bottlenotemusic. 2009 is shaping up already - more news in January...
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Kaum Quartett - St. Audeon's, Dublin 8
Friday 5th December €15 Booking - 01 670 3885
Hayden Chisholm
Frank Gratkowski
Seán Óg
Christian Weidner
Four very distinctive international voices of the same instrument coalesce in the Kaum Quartett, in a new project that seems eminently suited to this most atmospheric of Dublin venues.
The 12th Century German mystic Hildegard von Bingen is the catalyst for this impressive gathering of alto saxophonists, convened by adventurous Dubliner Seán Óg. Christian Weidner is an emerging force in Berlin’s creative music scene, the soulful New Zealander Chayden Chisolm brilliantly uses microtones and in Frank Gratkowski, the quartet has one of Europe’s most exhilarating free spirits.
Working with overtones, just intonation and open structures, Kaum Quartett weigh up stately plates of sound detailed with highly coloured and virtuosic improvisations, using Hildegard's beautiful monophonic chants for further investigations into an evolving lexicon for the saxophone.
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Morla - a new collaborative project with Simon Jermyn (guitar, electronics) play The Joy Gallery, Friday 28th November. A triple bill special presented Bottlenote - www.bottlenotemusic.com
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Seán Óg has been awarded the 2008 Best Young Artist Award from the Cork Jazz Festival.
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Described by The Irish Times as "a fascinating group, with an old-time feel and a contemporary freedom to handle rhythm and harmony" Trihornophone's new album is out now on Diatribe Records. Breathing time - the second release from Seán's flagship group Trihornophone. Available from 'shop'. Check the concert dates for our Irish Autumn tour.
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This year’s DEAF Double Compilation CD is a joint initiative between Culture Ireland and DEAF and which platforms 35 tracks that offer a broad diversity of style and approach in Irish-based electronic music. Seán has a new solo track Hardshipped on this release.
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December 2008 also sees Seán working with The Stomach Box Theatre Company on a new score of Hopkin's dark sonnets for multiple installations and a 10 piece choir.
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Check out The JK Ensemble this friday 31st october, Lyric FM, 2.30 - 4.30pm to hear Trihornophone live in studio 8 playing material from their new release Breathing Time. Seán will be interviewed by John Kelly ahead of their Autumn Music Network tour.
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Bottlenotemusic.com presents a month of weekly gigs every Wednesday in June - SouthWilliam, South William Street, Dublin 2. 8.30pm €10.
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JACKDAW !
Seán is taking time out mid april to research and record for new solo bass clarinet project featuring a large jackdaw colony in Co. Offaly - stay tuned for results online in a few weeks...
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Rebecca Collins new album Chameleon Blues and Irish tour. "Chameleon Blues is a visceral exploration of yearning, transgression and lust. To coincide with its release, Rebecca will be touring nationwide with her band 3rd - 12th April 2008." Full group includes Rebecca Collins - vocals, guitars, composition; Bill Blackmore - trumpet, flugelhorn, electronics; Seán Óg - alto / soprano saxophones, electronics, Justin Carroll - rhodes, keyboards, electronics; Simon Jermyn - bass, loops; Matt Jacobson - drums.
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CLOG featuring Frank Gratkowski
(Presented by Goethe Institut and Improvised Music Company)
Thursday 21st February, Goethe Institut, 37 Merrion Square, Dublin 2. 8pm €10/8
Frank Gratkowski - reeds
Rob Casey - piano
David Lacey - drums
Seán Óg - saxophones
with special guest
Marguerite Papazoglou - dance
Frank Gratkowski will make his Irish debut with Dublin based trio CLOG in an evening of improvised music, interaction and movement which will also feature Greek dancer Marguerite Papazoglou. The programme will include a solo set from Herr Gratkowski along with a quartet set and finally a quintet improvisation with dance.
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UNITED BIBLE STUDIES "Black Colcannon" cdr
Another new release from United Bible Studies, this album captures the sound of the expanded UBS live lineup. It features new songs performed over the summer of 2006 as well as an entire set consisting of ecstaic improvising as well as reworking of songs you'll know from The Shore That Fears The Sea. French label Ruralfaune have done an extravagant job on this too with sweat-glistened live shots included in the handmade package. visit www.desertedvillage.com for information