10 Nov. 2017, 8pm
Francesco Turrisi and Róisín Elsafty: with special guest Emer Mayock
The Model is delighted to present the third concert of the Undercurrents music series. The performance brings together Italian born, Dublin based jazz pianist, musical conceptualist and explorer of new sonic realms, Francesco Turrisi in a special performance with traditional Irish singer Róisín Elsafty.
In this collaboration Turrisi and Elsaftly reimagine the ancient melodies of sean-nós in bold new settings. The intent is not to accompany the already complete Sean-nós songs but to create a colour that might add an unusual or different element to the songs to achieve something original. And original it is – with Arabic influences (inspired by Elsaftly’s half-Egyptian heritage) and the illusion of an almost electronic soundscape created by Turrisi’s techniques such as his use of ebows and hands inside the piano!
Francesco Turrisi is a multi-instrumentalist and graduate of jazz and early music from the Royal Conservatory of The Hague. Róisín Elsafty has been innovative in both theme and style of the sean nós singing tradition while remaining loyal to her self imposed limits of the Connemara style where she was born. She previously collaborated with Francesco Turrisi on his album for piano solo and voice, ‘Grigio.’
This performance will also include music from special guest musician, composer and curator of the Undercurrents series Emer Mayock on flute and uilleann pipes. Emer and Francesco have collaborated in the past on original compositions and traditional repertoire from Ireland, the Middle East, Turkey and North Africa.
Undercurrents runs throughout autumn and winter 2017.
“Whether he is providing rhythmic propulsion, introspective stirring flights, or meandering sleepy lines, one leaves knowing his playing and his musical charisma carries weight and originality.” – Totally Dublin
“She renders sean-nós’s impenetrable qualities gloriously transparent with her delicate ornamentations, which betray the subtlest of Arabic influences” – The Irish Times