Welcome to the second Dunfanaghy Jazz & Blues festival and it will be taking place from Friday 11th September - Sunday 13th September 2009. Dunfanaghy will be jumpin' with a full weekend of music and craic. Music will kicks off early friday evening and continue through Saturday and Sunday from lunchtime to the wee hours.

There are 10 separate music venues in the village and it promises to be a fantastic weekend with something to please everyone!  For more information log on to the website

www.dunfanaghyjazzandblues.com

Children’s Performance Workshop with Linley Hamilton in Holy Trinity Church Hall, Horn Head Road, Dunfanaghy on Sunday 13th September  12.00 – 4.00pm Admission is €20.00 and booking is advised 00 353 (0)74 91 36540.  This event is sponsored by the Donegal County Council Arts. Linley is an enormously experienced musician having worked with Paul Brady, Kieran Tourish, Juliet Turner, Eleanor McEvoy and most recently this gifted trumpet player has worked extensively with Jacqui Dankworth.

In what promises to be an exciting afternoon, Linley invites local children, with basic musical ability, to work alongside him, learning new techniques and having fun by performing and improvising jazz music. The workshop will end with a performance given by Linley and the workshop’s participants.

ARTISTS

Grainne Duffy and Band

Bluesy Americana from Ireland with genuine world wide appeal'' (Guitarist Magazine). Promoting her new album 'Out of the Dark' Grainne has already performed at this years Glastonbury Festival to great acclaim. A true up and coming star.

Graffiti Limbo

This 5 piece outfit return to play in Dunfanaghy with their eclectic blend of R&B, Roots Rock and Soul. The band have played festivals and diserning venues countrywide, and take material from diverse influences such as Littlefeat, Taj Mahal and Tom Waits creating a funky mix that never fails to deliver.
 
Cara Robinson

Cara has written and recorded with David Holmes, LTJ Bookem, and EMI artist Corinne Bailey Rae. With a ' voice to die for ' expect new material and old favourites from her debut album ''Keep er Lit'' described in NME as a 'boundary blurring amalgam of blues folk and alt country'

Rab McCullough

Rab has inspired generation after generation with his electrifying live shows. A passionate blues guitarist he thrills the crowds with his energy and conviction. He's one of the best in Ireland. An act not to miss.

Paul Buckley

One of Irelands rising new stars with a unique style of blues jazz and alt country Paul is an immense talent. Referred to in the Irish Times as ''Donegals best kept secret and a real find'' . Catch Paul on his own and with the band over the weekend.

The Beekeepers

This blues 5 piece from Falcarragh are a well established act in Donegal. Having recently returned from playing festivals in Germany the band continue to blues it up with influences from Stevie Ray Vaughn to Big Bill Broonzy. Keep an ear for Seans consumate harp playing.

Mark Black and the Hard Road Band

This exciting 5 piece band from Donegal are cutting edge with their super funky jazz and blues vibe.Having recently featured in the Derry and Rory Gallagher festivals they are quickly building up a reputation for their funk based sound. The line up features Mark Black(vocals/guitar) Sean McCarron(sax) Seamus Devenney(drums) Martin Smith(bass) and Mark Bradley(trumpet).

Met Quartet

A Letterkenny based 4 piece jazz ensemble featuring Aidan Dunphy (drums) Neil Buckley (sax) Michael McGinty (double bass) and Michael Bradley (piano). This quartet deliver the jazz standards with a bit a swing! Neil has played with Ronnie Scott, Humphrey Littleton and Enya to name but a few. Serious musicians with a swinging attitude. A big hit at the recent Derry Jazz and Big Band Festival.

Miranda Rosenburg

A powerhouse singer from Washington DC, Miranda and the band will entertain you with an exciting repertoire of blues funk and soul. A favourite at the recent Derry Big Band festival.

John Trotter Trio

This Derry based trio, featuring the soaring vocals of Fiona Trotter and the multi-instrumentalist skills of John, play a wide range of styles. From Rat Pack classics to the Buena Vista Social Club you never know what you are going to get next, but its guaranteed to be good.
 
Liam Deery and Friends
Over the years Liam has supported Christy Moore, Clare Sproule, and John Jorgenson to name but a few. An extremely gifted guitarist Liam plays his own eclectic style of experimental and new edge jazz fusion. Not one to be tied down...expect the unexpected. 

The Linley Hamilton Quartet

Featuring Linley Hamilton(trumpet), Nicky Scott(bass and ex Van Morrison), John Wilson(drums and ex Rory Gallagher) and 'find of the century' Joel McCullough(guitar). The pedigree of this band is plain to see.Linley has recorded with Paul Brady, Juliet turner and Foy Vance to name but a few. With their mix of contemporary jazz/ fusion and sublime musicianship, this promises to be a great show.

Lightnin Tree

This 4 piece blues ensemble from Portrush Co. Antrim take their influences from artists such as Bo Diddley, BB King and Cream. They promise a foot stompin gig of Chicago/Texas style rhythm'n'blues. The line up includes Pete Simpson(vocals/guitar), Doc(guitar), Mike Thomas(bass) and Robert Cardwell(drums).

The John Somers Jazz Ensemble

Featuring the best of the North Wests jazz talent led by guitarist John Somers .Kick back and enjoy the some Dixieland and well loved jazz standards by these laid back veterans of the art.

Boy Done Good
Hailing from Downings this young and extremely talented 4 piece outfit are a must see. This is a high energy show of blues, rock and soul with influences as diverse as Rory Gallagher and Steely Dan. These boys play with a maturity beyond their years.

The Men That New Too Much

These ' well informed men ' play a mixture of blues, alt country, cajun and folk with an odd Hawaian number thrown in for good measure! Featuring Percy Robinson(guitar,dobro,vocals), Egon(guitar,vocals) and Sean McCarron(saxophone,percussion), these 3 outstanding musicians play a diverse mix and never fail to impress with their laid back style.

Sugarfoot

The legendary Dunfanaghy based 4 piece featuring the incomparable vocals of Alastair Simmons(harmonica,piano), Richard Harshaw(vocals,bass), Jimmy Simmons(guitar) and Ronald Beck(percussion).Veterans of the blues and roots scene in Donegal, Freefall deliver a mix of blues and soul in their own unique style.

Bluesy Quattro

A four piece acoustic act featuring Mickey 'Fingers' Crossey (Guitar, Vocals), Iain 'Junior' McKinney( Vocals, Guitar ), Pete ' The Teeth' Crossey ( Bass, Vocals ) and  "Howlin' " Colin McCann (Vocals, Management, Roadie)  playing all your favourite Hendrix, Stones, Dylan etc in a laid back acoustic style. Expect the unexpected. Good craic assured!

The Baldy Men

This 'recognisable' acoustic duo featuring Donald Craig(vocals,guitar,harmonica) and Alan Nichol(guitar,vocals), serve up a mix of roots based music from delta blues and country, to contemporary folk and soul, all with their own distinctive and irreverent style.

The Mudskippers

This 5 piece act from Letterkenny featuring the 3 Muldowney brothers will serve you up a blend of blues-country-trad! The mesmeric guitar playing of Pat Muldowney is not to be missed. A class act.

The Terry Monaghan Band

If its original material your after look no further. A regular act at the Errigal Arts Festival Terrys style has been described as a 'mixture of alt jazz rock country fusion with wild improvisation, landing anywhere on the music highway'. Sample the major piano talents of Eddie Lynch, Michael Maginty (double bass) Sean Dorian (drums) and Terry Monaghan (vocals,guitar,songwriter).