Preview by The Irish Times in “the Best Jazz of the Week,” ahead of performance at The Workman’s Club, Dublin, Sunday July 22, 2018

The latest in the excellent series programmed by members of the new Dublin Jazz Co-op, surveying the current Dublin scene, sees vocalist Emilie Conway lead a powerful group through a repertoire of Brazilian classics from the pens of giants like Jobim, Powell and Nascimento. Drummer Andre Antunes is the authentic Brazilian ingredient in a talented group that also includes pianist Johnny Taylor, guitarist Paddy Groenland and bassist Dave Mooney. Music for the sunburnt.

Preview by The Irish Times in “the Best Jazz of the Week,” Emilie Conway Brazilian Jazz at Arthurs, Dublin, April 11, 2019

Unlike many of her contemporaries, Dublin vocalist Emilie Conway does not just recant the American songbook in a style borrowed from the mid-20th century. In each of Conway’s projects – from her exploration of the lesser known music of composer Alec Wilder to her celebration of the writings of New Yorker columnist Maeve Brennan – there is a creative focus and a intent to uncover something new. Conway’s Brazilian quintet, with regular collaborator Johnny Taylor on piano, guitarist Paddy Groenland, bassist Dave Mooney and Brazilian percussionist Andre Antunes, plunges into Brazil’s teeming music jungle, with much-loved tunes by Tom Jobim, Baden Powell, Milton Nascimento and Joyce.

Emilie Conway and her Quintet travel the sunny streets of Brazil through the evocative melodies and grooves of music by some of its most brilliant composers including; Jobim, Powell, Buarque, Nascimento, Joyce and more with new, classic arrangements and originals.

Emilie Conway - voice

Johnny Taylor - piano

Paddy Groenland - guitar

Dave Mooney - bass

Andre Antunes - drums

There is an irresistible beauty to the evocative melodies, the soft sound of the Portuguese language, and the gentle grooves of bossa nova from Brazil, one that is matched perfectly by a smooth and sultry delivery by Emilie, described by legendary UK jazz vocalist Fionna Duncan as “a heart stealer with the voice of an angel.”   Joined by some of the leading lights of the Irish jazz and world music scene, this concert delivers a unique programme celebrating the music from Brazil as well as the exquisite lyricism of Brazilian poets like Vincius de Moraes

Emilie’s previous projects have included a programme of little-known Alec Wilder songs, a tribute to legendary Brazilian singer, Elis Regina and most recently, a celebration of the life and work of writer and social diarist Maeve Brennan, which Conway performed in the hip Cornelia St Café in New York and in a sell out concert last September at the National Concert Hall.

This new project sees the quintet re-imagine this beautiful music - together with her long-time collaborator, pianist, Johnny Taylor, guitarist, Paddy Groenland, (Ensemble Eriu, West African group Manden Express, RiZa) Bassist Dave Mooney, (Gavin Friday, Sarah Brightman, Jeff Ramsey, Al Jarreau Group) and Brazilian drummer, Andre Antunes, (Loah, Republic of Loose, Sinead O Connor, Amy Winehouse, Edu Ribeiro, Leo Maia)