APPLEBY are sponsoring the Stephen Duffy Jazz Trio concert at the Erin Arts Centre, Port Erin, tonight (Friday).
The trio, featuring Stephen Duffy on vocals and piano, Jay Kilbride on double bass and Martin Dibbs on drums are performing as part of the Mananan International Festival at 8pm.
Scottish vocalist and pianist Stephen Duffy is increasingly recognised as one of the UK’s most accomplished jazz singers and is a passionate authority and advocate for jazz.
He is also an expert pianist, arranger and the presenter of BBC Radio Scotland’s weekly jazz programme, The Jazz House.
In tonight's concert, he turns his unique and highly acclaimed talents to a host of songs associated with Ella Fitzgerald, one of the most influential and best-loved vocalists in jazz.
Jay Kilbride is an accomplished and versatile double bassist, possessed with virtuosic technique. Over the past decade he has performed with many of Scotland and the UK’s leading jazz artists; as well as visiting US musicians like Frank Perowski, Warren Vache and Scott Hamilton.
Jay has been Stephen Duffy’s regular bassist for much of this time.
Percussionist Martin Dibbs is a freelance teacher and player. As well as working with Stephen’s trio and Big Band, Martin has performed with his own trio, as part of legendary Scottish pianist Sandy Taylor’s quartet, with the vocal group The Swingcats and with visiting American musicians including Scott Hamilton.
John Bethell, founder and director of the Erin Arts Centre, said: "We are thrilled to include the Stephen Duffy Jazz Trio as part of this year’s Mananan International Summer Festival.
"The Festival was established in 1975 and has been going from strength to strength ever since. We are grateful to all our sponsors who help ensure we can bring such quality acts to the Island. Stephen is extremely talented, and forms part of a stunning line up for the Festival this year."
Sean Dowling, managing partner of Appleby in the Isle of Man, added: “We are very pleased to be a part of this year’s Mananan International Festival. The members of the Stephen Duffy Jazz Trio have superb reputations and I am looking forward to enjoying their music.
"This sponsorship forms part of our ongoing commitment to supporting local arts, sports development and charitable projects in the Isle of Man.”
