Jazz quintet Equinox tonight in Number 1!

by Olga Aughey

Fresh from the unlikely, but nevertheless, genius collaboration with none other than sports pundit Jimmy Magee during an interview with Miriam O’Callaghan are Equinox who play Mullingar hotspot Number 1 tonight.

As part of their two week Irish tour coinciding with the release of debut album Face The Music, the gig originally billed for Tullynally Castle was moved to the more central venue because of its amenability.

“It’s a venue more suited to reach our audience,” says bassist and Equinox co-lead Johnny Daly.

Originally from Dublin, Daly is based full time in The Hague, Netherlands, for the love of Jazz tradition, and he spoke to the Westmeath Examiner ahead of the gig on what the audience can expect from tonight’s show.

“Bob is going to be dressed in a chicken suit,” jokes the man who paid his dues playing alongside the legendary guitarist Louis Stewart and who also spent several years in the early 2000s performing, touring and recording with the Mexican guitar duo, Rodrigo y Gabriela.

“No, the audience can expect some down home, rootsy, bluesy, swinging jazz music,” says the charismatic musician, who, insists that the Equinox sound is for everyone and not necessarily just jazz aficionados.

The “Bob” he is of course talking about is pianist Bob Wijnen, who is known for great sensitivity and depth on the piano. Making up rest of the Equinox five are New Yorker, guitarist and co-leader of the band Dan Nicholas; powerful and soulful tenor saxophonist and a mainstay on the Dutch jazz scene Sjoerd Dijkhuizen; and one of Holland’s best drummers Marcel Serierse.

There is a particular reason why Johnny enjoys visiting Mullingar however.

“We have a lot of support in Mullingar, and true friends in (Mullingar’s) Anthony Daly and Steve Stavely. We’ve enjoyed great support in Mullingar for quite a few years now and it’s a particular pleasure to have returned here,” he insists.

Johnny also has family here.

“I came down see my cousins here all the time and I suppose I have a special fondness for the place. I spent many's a week here with my cousins - acting 'the gurrier' on the streets of Mullingar,” he laughs.

Equinox play a mix of vivid original pieces, personal arrangements of standards and classic jazz repertoire by the likes of The lonious Monk, Billy Strayhorn, Charles Mingus and Horace Silver. Deeply rooted in a wide spectrum of jazz tradition, which constantly informs the band’s musical explorations. The individual members of the band all draw inspiration from this tradition in the development of their own personal avenues of musical expression.

Face The Music is a CD/DVD combo which they spent a year and a half honing and moulding. The ten track CD and three track DVD were shot in Dublin.

“Face The Music combines new original works and arrangements tailored to our sound with fresh explorations of lesser known jazz gems,” says Johnny.

In addition, South African singer Tutu Puoane joins the band on one track, a lovely ballad written by piano great Stanley Cowell with lyrics by Dan Nicholas.

To catch some of Europe’s top jazz musicians live, drop down to Number 1, Mullingar, tonight. Doors 10 pm.

For more check out www.equinoxjazzquintet.com