Press Releases
You can download some of Emilie’s press releases in PDF format by clicking the links below:
Emilie Conway Bio, January 2013
Valentines Jazz: Emilie Conway Quartet at RVACC
Fine Together, National Concert Hall, September 6th 2012
The Secret of a Rose, Final Launch Concert, January 18th 2012
For Immediate Release July 18 2014:
LUNCH TIME CONCERT @ THE NATIONAL CONCERT HALL WITH EMILIE CONWAY QUARTET: “Jazz on a Summer’s Day” 1:05pm, Wednesday August 20th
“Star of the show is Conway’s voice.” – Hot Press
“A wonderful talent. Emilie sings her songs from her heart. She really means what she sings,” – Sheila Jordan USA
Emilie Conway is an award winning Dublin born jazz singer whose stage debut was an impromptu session with Jon Hendricks and Kurt Elling in a Chicago club in 1999.
She has been described as “a heart stealer with the voice of an angel, smooth, mellow, sincere and deeply connected to both music and lyrics,” and with what the Irish Times called “classic style,” Emilie Conway appeals not only to jazz fans but also to a more mainstream audience.
Following several sell out concerts and a recent countrywide tour of the music of Alec Wilder, Emilie returns to the John Field Room to present the sounds of summer with the sparkle of some well-known jazz standards, as well as a few hidden gems.
She is joined by her quartet; some of Ireland’s leading jazz musicians: Johnny Taylor (piano), Damian Evans (double bass) and Dominic Mullan (drums)
For Immediate Release March3:
“Dear World:” Emilie Conway Sings Alec Wilder
Emilie Conway Quintet on Tour in Ireland in April 2014
Friday 11th April: Mermaid Arts Centre, Bray, County Wicklow. Thursday 17th April: Droichead Arts Centre, Drogheda, County Louth. Saturday 19th April: Dunamaise Arts Centre, Portlaoise, County Laois. Thursday 24th April: Ballina Arts Centre, Ballina, County Mayo. Friday 25th April: Mill Theatre, Dundrum Centre, Dublin 16.
“I’m concerned with the miracle of life in all of it’s incredible forms. I’ll stop for a spider, a bird, a tree, a flower, a child, a book, a storm, a sound, a scent, a smile. I’ll blow bubbles, watch bobble birds, read a dictionary, listen to a sad take, make up a puzzle, row a boat.” – Alec Wilder, (1907-1980)
Dazzling Dublin jazz singer Emilie Conway and her quintet bring the music of the enigmatic Alec Wilder to the stage; a music of originality, haunting simplicity, beauty, humour and warmth, and brimming with Wilder’s fascination with life.
Emilie Conway, discovered Alec Wilder and was entranced by his wonderful songs and music. She was assisted by Allen Smith of Jazz on the Terrace in the final stages of production of her debut album, The Secret of a Rose. He remarked on the Wilder song “I’ll Be Around” being on the album, and they realised that they were both admirers of this composer.
Emilie had devised three other projects on artists Billie Holiday, Elis Regina and Abbey Lincoln. Emilie and Allen discussed creating this project “Dear World”: Emilie Conway Sings Alec Wilder and Allen was eager to be involved. A grant was received from the Arts Council and work progressed to the realisation of the project and this tour. Emilie will join her regular associates Johnny Taylor (piano), Damian Evans (bass) and Dominic Mullan (drums). The fifth member will be the outstanding Brendan Doyle (tenor, alto saxophone, clarinet).
Alec Wilder was born in Rochester, New York but made his home in New York City at the famous Algonquin Hotel. Though largely a self-taught composer, he studied composition and counterpoint at the Eastman School of Music. Wilder’s music is a blend of American musical traditions: jazz and the American popular song, and “classical” European forms and techniques that totally resists labelling. He wrote, prolifically and diversely, from songs to sonatas, of remarkable originality, humour and warmth that reveal an intelligent, sensitive mind fascinated by life.
Jazz musicians fascinated Wilder with their gift for extemporaneous compositions. He composed for Marian McPartland, Stan Getz, and Clark Terry. Bob Brookmeyer, Dave Liebman, and Vic Juris all recorded albums of his songs.
Wilder’s relationship with popular and jazz singers was also especially close. The intricacy or originality of his melodies and lyrics combined with at times unorthodox song forms enthralled singers Frank Sinatra, Peggy Lee and Tony Bennett who all loved and recorded his songs – indeed Sinatra conducted and recorded an album of Wilder’s instrumental music.
Wilder himself had an unpretentious elegance and style, lending a blend of spontaneous looseness and formal discipline to his music. Alongside more complex melodies, he was capable of writing tunes of haunting simplicity. ‘I’ll Be Around’ is an extraordinary example.
Join Emilie, Johnny, Damien, Dominic and Brendan as they bring to life the beautiful music of the engimatic Alec Wilder.
“A wonderful talent, Emilie Conway sings her songs from her heart. She really means what she sings.” – Sheila Jordan, USA
ENDS
Further information from
Allen Smith, Administrator, Jazz on the Terrace, 44 Belgrave Square West, Rathmines, Dublin 6, Ireland.
Tel: 01 4979562 Fax: 01 4979562 Mob: 086 8278692
E-mail: jazzontheterrace@gmail.com Website: http://www.jazzontheterrace.com
For Immediate Release February 24: Spring Journey 2014 #1: Emilie Conway & Johnny Taylor at the Dublin Unitarian Church – Friday February 28th
Spring Journey 2014 is a series of 3 concerts planned to raise money for the ongoing Unitarian Church Organ Restoration Project. The target is to raise €250,000 by the end of 2015. The project itself, overseen by Irish organ-builder Trevor Crowe started in January 2014 and is due to be completed midsummer 2015.
The first concert in our Spring Journey 2014 season is Friday 28th February 2014. Emilie Conway and Johnny Taylor will play swing, ballads, blues and Latin in a show entitled “You Must Believe In Spring”. They will also be joined for some of the concert by double bassist Dave Fleming. We hope you can make it. Failing that, we hope you can help us spread the word in your own unique way – radio, print, online or just talking about it.
Spring Journey 2014: 3 Concerts for the Organ at Dublin Unitarian Church
Friday. Feb 28th, Friday. Mar 28th, Friday May 9th 2014
All concerts at 8pm
Dublin Unitarian Church, 112 St Stephen’s Green
Some of Ireland’s finest musicians will perform special concerts this spring in aid of the Dublin Unitarian Church’s Organ Restoration Project. Ranging from jazz to classical guitar via Flanders and Swann and Tom Lehrer, the concerts in this beautiful city centre venue will run in February, March and May, with special season tickets available for all three concerts. Irish Organbuilder Trevor Crowe has just begun work on the beautiful 1911 JW Walker Pipe Organ, and the profits from the performances will help complete it.
Singer Emilie Conway with Johnny Taylor on piano, will kick off the season on Friday Feb 28th with You Must Believe in Spring, a sensuous and infections combination of jazz and latin as heard most recently on Emilie’s critically acclaimed debut CD, The Secret of a Rose, and in a national concert tour through 2012 bookended by successful concerts in the NCH in Dublin.
A Tip of the Hat- The Songs of Flanders and Swann, Tom Lehrer and more is the title for Friday March 28th, when singer Benjamin Russell, accompanied by David O’Shea on piano follow up on their Culture Night preview of this mix of British and US comedy song. Well known as classical musicians, they present this timeless repertoire with fun and style, making for a hugely enjoyable evening.
The season closes on Friday May 9th with the exquisite sound of Pat Coldrick on guitar. His beautiful flowing classical style, which also draws on jazz and new age music, has been heard in sold-out performances in Ireland and abroad, and on regular airplay of his debut CD Cayendo. He is now recording his second CD, thanks to a successful Fundit campaign, which yielded 110% of its target fund.
Tickets are excellent value: €40 season ticket for all 3 concerts, €15 per concert if bought in advance from www.dublinunitarianchurch.org or €20 per concert on the door. People are advised to book early, as capacity is limited.
Press information: Josh Johnston 086 892 0602
hello@dublinunitarianchurch.org
www.dublinunitarianchurch.org
For Immediate Release July 4, Singer Emilie Conway & pianist Johnny Taylor to Perform at Paris Jazz Club, Cafe Universel on Bastille Day, July 14
From Ireland, jazz singer, Emilie Conway & pianist, Johnny Taylor are delighted to make their French debut at Cafe Universel with a programme of jazz standards that features the music of celebrated French composer, Michel Legrand as well as Jobim, Bowman, Evans & more. They are joined on bass by special guest, Sava Medan.
Born in Dublin, Emilie’s love for jazz was sparked by her encounter with Kurt Elling (Blue Note) at The Green Mill, Chicago, in 1999. This fateful experience changed the course of her life and Emilie returned to the infamous jazz & blues city to immerse herself in the music. Winner of scholarships to Berklee College of Music, Vermont Jazz Centre & Souza Lima, Brazil, she has studied with Sheila Jordan (US), & Fiona Duncan (UK). Influences include Billie Holiday, Elis Regina, Edith Piaf, Kurt Elling, Abbey Lincoln & Joni Mitchell but also Prokofiev, Satie, Chopin, Ravel & Mahler.
Emilie’s love for the music of Michel Legrand began that fateful summer of ’99 in Chicago when she first heard “What Are You Doing the Rest of Your Life,”at a lunchtime concert in a shopping mall! Indeed Emilie found the inspiration for her debut album; a belief in hope & the beauty of life; so beautifully and simply enunciated in Legrand’s “You Must Believe in Spring” that she chose it as the featured track on her debut album. It is from Bergman’s lyrics that the album takes its name: “The Secret of a Rose.”
Emilie is joined by her long-standing pianist Johnny Taylor. London born, Johnny graduated with a First Class Honours degree from Trinity College Dublin in 2006. After studying on scholarship at Berklee College of Music in Boston, Johnny returned to Dublin and has become one of Ireland’s leading jazz pianists. While he takes his lead from master pianists such as Ahmad Jamal, Bill Evans & Oscar Peterson, he is equally influenced by modern players including the likes of Jacky Terrasson & Peter Martin.
Belgrade born bassist, Sava Medan is resident in Paris five years. Emilie first sang with Sava on a jam session in Munich in 2000, an occasion that established their musical connection & sealed their friendship. Well established on the German jazz scene at the time, Sava Medan’s profile has continued to grow across Europe owing to the virtuosity, beauty and creativity of his unique style.
“A wonderful talent. Emilie Conway sings her songs from her heart. She really means what she sings.” – Sheila Jordan, USA
“A heart stealer with the voice of an angel, smooth, mellow, sincere and deeply connected to both music and lyrics. She is no imitator but has a fresh approach and a sound that lingers on …” – Fionna Duncan, UK
“Classic style.. Emilie Conway’s slightly breathy unaffected voice has an authentic quality..” – The Irish Times
“Emilie Conway, a Dublin born jazz singer whose stage debut was an impromptu session with Jon Hendricks and Kurt Elling in a Chicago club in 1999, is possessed of a set of air freshener tones and uses them to very adroit affect. But she’s not the only performer to impress – pianist, Johnny Taylor, also plays a blinder. “ – The Sunday Business Post
“This young Irish singer combines a love of melody with a feeling for the nuances of lyrics. Her diction is spot-on at every tempo. She has the kind of straight-ahead style that appeals not only to jazz fans but also to a more mainstream audience” – The Sunday Independent
“Star of the show is Conway’s voice.” – Hot Press
“Emilie Conway and Johnny Taylor, giving jazz aficionados an unforgettable experience”- Real Travel, San Francisco
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For Immediate Release May 24, The Jazz Supper Club comes to Dublin
Jazz Supper Club @ The Wild Goose Grill, Upstairs at 1 Sandford Rd, Ranelagh, Dublin 6
The 3rd in a series of 6 Jazz Supper Nights at the Wild Goose Grill with the Emilie Conway Qtet. Each Friday night features one of Ireland’s most up and coming Jazz musicians. This Friday 24th features Damian Evans, bass along with stalwarts of Emilie’s Qtet, Johnny Taylor, piano and Dominic Mullan, drums.
While Jazz Supper Clubs are common in the States, as yet, they are few and far between in Ireland. This 6 week series is inspired by a passion for art; for jazz at the Wild Goose Grill: and their desire to create a setting that first and foremost showcases the music. Come and listen over a glass of wine or sample from their supper menu, especially created by the chef for these evenings.
Reservations: 01 4912377
www.thewildgoosegrill.ie
www.emilieconway.ie
“You Must Believe In Spring:” Debut Album Concert Series
Vocal Jazz: The Emilie Conway Quartet
Jan 31, The Linenhall, Castlebar / March 2, Ballina Arts Centre / March 3, The Courthouse Arts Centre, Tinahely / March 10, Wexford Arts Centre / March 21, Dolan’s Limerick / April 4, The John Field Room at The National Concert Hall, Dublin.
Jazz singer Emilie Conway launches her debut album “The Secret of a Rose” with an evening of music to celebrate spring as a season of hope, change and new love with jazz standards You Must Believe in Spring, Joy Spring, Aguas de Marco, It Might As Well Be Spring,, But Beautiful, So In Love and many more..
Emilie: “The repertoire for this concert and album developed out of my personal response to the climate of negativity in our country over the past few years. Life has taught me that there is always hope and there is beauty, that this is a beautiful life we have here – where there are dark shadows, there is also light. For me, these songs are about affirmation and acceptance. Well just as it says in You Must Believe in Spring
Beneath the deepest snows, the secret of a rose,
Is merely that it knows, you must believe in spring!”
Encouraged by audience response at Dublin’s Bewley’s Café Theatre, Emilie performed the repertoire in Copenhagen and Munich in 2010 where it was equally warmly received by Danish and German audiences.
Born in Dublin, Emilie has won scholarships to Berklee College of Music, Boston, The Vermont Jazz Centre, and Souza Lima, Brazil, She has studied with Sheila Jordan, Jay Clayton in the US, Fionna Duncan UK and Dorothy Murphy here in Dublin. Her influences are Billie Holiday, Elis Regina, Edith Piaf, Abbey Lincoln, Kurt Elling and Joni Mitchell but also include Prokofiev, Satie, Chopin, Ravel, and Mahler. As a singer, Emilie’s strength and uniqueness lie in her simple and sensitive interpretation of the music.
Strong ties with jazz musicians and audiences outside of Ireland see Emilie a welcome guest vocalist in Vermont, Boston, Chicago and throughout Europe. In 2010 she was invited to perform at The Copenhagen Jazz Festival and at the Edinburgh Fringe Festival. At home “Emilie Sings Billie”, a Tribute to Billie Holiday, won an Arts Council award and was presented at the Linenhall Arts Centre, the Galway Jazz Club and Bewley’s Café Theatre. Not afraid to take risks, Emilie has made interesting choices in interpreting and bringing the music of less obvious artists, Elis Regina and Abbey Lincoln to Irish audiences with “Emilie Sings Abbey” and “Emilie Sings Elis” which won festival invitations to The Ranelagh Arts Festival, and The Flatlake’s Festival. ”Emilie Sings Elis” has been particularly well received by Ireland’s Brazilian community. .She has made several radio appearances on the Arena Arts show on RTE 1 radio, last October as part of RTE’s Big Music week. The Emilie Conway Quartet perform regularly at their musical home: Bewley’s Café Theatre, Grafton St, Dublin.
The evening features the talents of Emilie’s in-demand support musicians: Johnny Taylor (piano), Dave Fleming (double bass) and Dominic Mullan (drums) who are among Ireland’s leading musicians, sought after north and south. The Emilie Conway Quartet has been working together for the past six years so that there is a very close musical understanding.
“Emilie Conway is a heart stealer with the voice of an angel, smooth, mellow, sincere and deeply connected to both music and lyrics. She is no imitator but has a fresh approach and a sound that lingers on …” – Fionna Duncan, UK
“A wonderful talent. Emilie Conway sings her songs from her heart.” – Sheila Jordan, USA
”Emilie Conway is a jazz vocalist who will melt your heart to butter and then spread it on a freshly baked croissant on a warm Paris morning. Yes, folks, she’s that good!” – Stephen Kennedy, Nighthawks IRL
“An unforgettable experience.” – Real Travel, San Francisco
ENDS
For further information please contact: Emilie Conway 087 7748 303
emilieconway@gmail.com
www.emiilieconway.ie / www.myspace.com/emilieconway
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PRESS BIOGRAPHY 2011
EMILIE CONWAY, SINGER: JAZZ & BRAZILIAN JAZZ
+ 353 87 7748 303
www.emilieconway,ie
www.myspace.com/emilieconway
Emilie turned her attention to jazz in 1999 on encountering Kurt Elling at The Greenmill, Chicago, when he was recording his “Live in Chicago” – to immediate effect: she had his band work out her key so she could take part in the ensuing jam session…..
Winner of scholarships to Berklee College of Music, Boston, and The Vermont Jazz Centre, and most recently Souza Lima, Brazil, she has studied with Sheila Jordan, Jay Clayton in the US, and Fionna Duncan UK. She cites her main influences as Billie Holiday, Elis Regina, Edith Piaf, Abbey Lincoln, Kurt Elling and Joni Mitchell.
Emilie has produced and performed sell out shows in Dublin’s Bewley’s Café Theatre:
“Emilie Sings Billie,” Dec 2007 & Dec 2009
“No Regrets, the Music of Great Female Vocalists,” Dec 2008
(also performed Linenhall Arts Centre, Castlebar, Mayo)
“But Beautiful, in Love with Jazz in Summer,” May 2009
“You Must Believe In Spring,” Feb, March 2010 & 2011
“Emilie Sings Ellis,”June 2010
“Emilie Sings Abbey,”November 2010.
In 2007, “Emilie Sings Billie” won an arts council grant to tour to Mayo (Linenhall), Galway, (The Galway Jazz Club) Dublin *Bewley’s Café Theatre.
Strong links with jazz musicians and audiences outside of Ireland has seen Emilie a welcome guest vocalist in Vermont, Boston, Chicago and Europe. Last year alone, Emilie was invited to sing in “Vogler Jazzbar” in Munich (April) “Café Intime,” Copenhagen, (March), “The Plaza Hotel” as part of the Copenhagen Jazz Festival, (July), “A Time for Love” at the Accustic Music Centre @ St Brides for the Edinburgh Fringe Festival. At home “Emilie Sings Elis Regina,” got festival initiations to the Ranelagh Arts Festival, (September) and Flatlakes Festival, Monaghan, (May).
This year, 2012, Emilie has shifted her focus from live performing in order to do some planning and work on her first album with the Emilie Conway Jazz Quartet, Emilie Conway, voice, Johnny Taylor, piano, Dave Fleming, double bass and Dominic Mullan.
Reviews:
“Emilie Conway is a heart stealer with the voice of an angel, smooth, mellow, sincere and deeply connected to both music and lyrics. She is no imitator but has a fresh approach and a sound that lingers on …” FionNa Duncan UK”
“A wonderful talent. Emilie Conway sings her songs from her heart.
She really means what she sings” Sheila Jordan, US
”Emilie Conway is a jazz vocalist who will melt your heart to butter and then spread it on a freshly baked croissant on a warm Paris morning. Yes, folks, she’s that good!”
Stephen Kennedy, Nighthawks IRL
“… The likes of Emilie Conway and Johnny Taylor have performed here, giving jazz aficionados an unforgettable experience.” Review by Real Travel, San Francisco