We are delighted to announce our first recipient of the ‘Excellence in Ensemble Performance Award’. This award is a partnership between Dublin City University’s Jazz & Contemporary Music BA program, Improvised Music Company and Magy’s Farm and is given to the student who receives the highest marks for their final year performance at the National Concert Hall.

The 2023/24 winner, Matthew O’Connell, will perform with his group at The Cooler, Dublin on Thursday, May 30th, and also at Magy’s Farm, Dromara.

Matthew O'Connell is a Dublin-based jazz guitarist, educator, composer and recent graduate of DCU where he completed his BA in Jazz and contemporary music performance. With a unique and fresh sound, O'Connell draws inspiration from a wide range of styles and artists such as Kurt Rosenwinkel, Charlie Parker and Tom Ollendorf.

On the night the group will perform a selection of Matthew’s compositions, reflecting his diverse range of influences, and perhaps a jazz standard to two. Don’t miss this opportunity to see a rising star of Irish jazz in the early stages of his career!