Levis Corner house welcomes Paul Dunlea – Trombone & Cormac McCarthy Piano. Both considered amongst the finest musicians in the country

Cormac McCarthy is a composer, arranger and pianist born in Cork, Ireland. He began studying piano aged four, and soon after discovered the joy of composition. He has gone on to perform and compose in a wide range of musical genres; from classical to jazz to Irish traditional music.

In 2010 Cormac received the prestigious Bill Whelan International Music Bursary from Bill Whelan, an award earmarked for young Irish composers studying abroad. He spent a number of years living in Chicago, where he completed a Masters in Jazz Studies at DePaul University. His compositions and arrangements have been recorded by such jazz icons as Phil Woods and Jeff Hamilton. As a pianist, he has performed extensively at concert venues, clubs and festivals throughout Europe and the US, recording and performing with artists across numerous genres, including Peter Washington, Billy Drummond, Liz Carroll, Tony Miceli, Padraig Rynne, Stan Sulzmann. Cormac’s most recent project, Cottage Evolution centres around music he has written for a 12-piece ensemble, and features musicians from an interesting and diverse blend of musical backgrounds. The project’s debut album has recently been released on the LYTE Records label to widespread acclaim. Cormac is also a member of the forward-thinking Irish traditional group NOTIFY, whose new album InConcept is due for release on Ropeadope Records in March 2016.

Although at home in a variety of musical styles, Cork Trombonist/Composer/Arranger, Paul Dunlea concentrates primarily on Jazz and Improvisation. This has furthered his reputation as one of Irelands most in demand musicians.

Dunlea has performed/toured/recorded with the likes of Cassandra Wilson, Frankie Valli, Liam O’Maonlaoi, Mick Flannery, Richard Reed Parry (Arcade Fire), Bryce Dressner (The National), Lewis Nash, Peter Washington, Billy Drummond, David O’ Rourke’s O’ Rourkestra, Sachal Vadsandani, John Clayton, RTE Concert Orchestra, The Crash Ensemble, The Dublin City Jazz Orchestra, The New Irish Jazz Orchestra, The Syd Lawrence Orchestra, Hot House Big Band, Freezeroom & Brian Deady.

Dunlea is a graduate of the CIT Cork School of music holding both a bathelors degree in trombone performance and a masters degree in composition. He has held the chair of principle trombone with the Band 1 Brigade – Irish Defence Forces since 2001.

2011 saw the released his debut album ‘Bi-polAr’ to critical acclaim – reaching #1 in the iTunes chart. 2016 saw the release of his second album ‘Fraternal’ recorded at the renowned Bunker Studios,

Brooklyn, NY featuring bassist Peter Washington, drummer Billy Drummond, guitarist David O’ Rourke (co-leader) & Cork’s Cormac McCarthy. Paul’s third album is due out in early 2019.

In 2013 Dunlea established his own big band as a creative outlet for his own compositions. To date, the band has performed sell out shows across the country in venues such as The Opera House, Cork, The Grand

Opera House, Belfast & The Everyman Theatre – Cork along with headlining the 2015 Cork & Limerick Jazz Festivals. Entire concerts have also been broadcast nationally on both RTE and BBC radio. Dunlea is also musical director of the New Irish Jazz Orchestra.

As well as writing for his own various groups and ensembles, Dunlea’s compositions and arrangements have been performed by The Dublin City Jazz Orchestra, Hothouse Big band, Crisis Point Big Band, Larry McKenna, Tony Miceli, Stan Sulzmann, Julien Seigel, Gwilym Simcock, Cathal Coughlan, Camille O’ Sullivan, Dana Masters, Gareth Dunlop, Niall McCabe, Laoise Leahy, Anna Mitchell, Jack O’Rourke, Brian Deady, The Frank & Walters, Band of An Garda Siochana, Defence Forces Bands-Ireland, Cork School of Music Symphony Orchestra & CSM Wind Ensemble. He has also written/arranged for countless theatre productions, groups and recording artists including Mick Flannery’s two number 1 albums – “Red To Blue” (2012 EMI records) & By The Rule (2014 EMI Records)

Paul was recently announced as the inaugural Artist in Residence of the Guinness Cork Jazz Festival 2018/2019

Dunlea is an artist for Edwards Instruments.