Dana Masters Neil Ó Lochlainn's Cuar

Originally from the deep south of the United States, Dana Masters grew up with the sound of soul, rhythm & blues and gospel music all around her. The granddaughter of a celebrated civil rights activist, she left home at the age of 17 to pursue a life in music, believing deeply that music could tell human stories with such poignancy and conviction that it could transcend divisions. In 2008, Dana and her husband moved to Northern Ireland. A chance meeting with trumpeter Linley Hamilton catapulted her into the world of the Irish jazz scene, igniting her appetite for the expression, freedom and musicianship that jazz carries. Dana was asked to perform with Van Morrison, and one show turned into 6 years of touring. She now moves from the shadow of one of the world’s most iconic musicians to stand on her own stage and tell her story in her own words.

“A jazz singer of real note… Will long be remembered for the exceptional quality of her voice.” (All About Jazz)
“Dana’s wide-ranging musical influences are evident through her own unique sound.” (Van Morrison)

Exploring composition and improvisation within the framework of Irish traditional music, Cuar, an Irish chamber music ensemble led by Neil Ó Lochlainn, forges a unique world of sound that establishes a new, distinctly Irish, creative chamber music language. Citing influences ranging from uilleann pipe music, all the way to the Karnatic (South Indian) music tradition, passing by downtown Jazz, Cuar's original music breaks down the barriers of genre. Following their debut album Roscanna by Raelach Records, released in 2017, their newest suite, to be launched in the CCI, entitled ‘Umhaill’ composed and arranged by Ó Lochlainn (double bass, flute), brings together the talented Ultan O’ Brien (fiddle) Sam Comerford (saxophone) and Colm O'Hara (trombone).
Neil Ó Lochlainn's Cuar: Ultan O Brien (fiddle, viola), Joachim Badenhorst (clarinet, bass clarinet), Sam Comerford (saxophone, clarinet), Neil Ó Lochlainn (double bass, flute)

“Cuar is redefining the possibilities of Irish traditional music and taking it [...] into haunting, imaginatively fertile new terrain”. Ian Patterson, All About Jazz

This evening is organised in conjunction with the 19th edition of Jazzycolors, FICEP’s annual festival of jazz (6 Nov-1 Dec). For full details of the festival: www.ficep.info