Ronan Guilfoyles At Swing, Two Birds

The Jazz Bureau is pleased to to share Livia Records tird release for 2025, At Swing, Two Birds, a brand new recording from innovative jazz bassist, composer and leading jazz educator, Ronan Guilfoyle and his Bemusement Arcade project.

Ronan has been to the forefront of Irish jazz for 40 years, leading many projects of his own, and collaborating with international players of note(Dave Liebman, Kenny Wheeler, John Abercrombie.)He began his professional career with Louis Stewart in the early 1980s. Though his interest in exploeing new material and approaches outside, of the jazz standards and typical structures, led him to study with innovators like Dave Holland , Steve Coleman and John Abercrombie, Since then , he has been central to a modern movement, and developing a more structured approach to jazz education in Ireland. In addition to directing the DCU BA in Jazz Performance, and teaching internationally, Ronan is a prolific composer and collaborator, tirelessly pursuing his musical goals. His award winning compositions and innovation in non-standard rhythmic improvisation , have established an international reputation.

The albums Title track , AT SWING,TWO BIRDS, draws on two Charlie Parker tunes , while referencing Flann O'Brien. This , and other album tracks , ably demonstrate that the music swings even with atypical time signatures and structures. You'll find references to Lennie Tristano, Lee Morgan, John Coltrane and George Gershwin too, and sounds reminiscent of George Russell's Jazz Workshop.

Joining him on this project are brilliant young UK alto saxophonist Sam Norris, Ronans son Cgris on guitar , and Belfast born drummer Darren Beckett.

ATSWING,TWO BIRDS releases on May 2nd, officially launching at the Bray Jazz Festival on May 3rd