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On me your voice falls as they say love should,
Like an enormous yes. My Crescent City
Is where your speech alone is understood…
from ‘For Sidney Bechet’ by Phillip Larkin
‘Sunday Jazz’ does exactly as it says on the tin. Gathering the faithful - and hoping to convert a few along the way - ‘Sunday Jazz’ reflects presenter Des FitzGerald’s enthusiasm for one of the greatest musical forms to emerge in the 20th Century. From its American origins in New Orleans to the years of swing and bebop on the East and West coasts, to the vibrancy of today’s European jazz scene: ‘Sunday Jazz’ will take you from Ato Z and back again.
Des has been a jazz fan for many years, ever since he picked up a cassette by Ella Fitzgerald in a record shop bargain bin. Stints working in record stores helped him improve his knowledge, working with real jazz-heads and sharing their passion. From this he went on to become a specialist music buyer for a major Dublin retailer and helped improve their catalogue considerably – although he would say that, wouldn’t he?
Des’ quest for great jazz has even seen him pack his tent and head for France and the Django Reinhardt Jazz Festival in Samois. This genius of gypsy jazz guitar has made him think many times about taking up the instrument…and that’s about as far as it goes!
Since 2003 Des has also presented and produced the weekly arts programme‘Artbeat’ on 103.2 Dublin City Anna Livia FM. When not behind a microphone, Des can be found at his day gig, working with a team of extremely talented artists in Ireland’s leading animation studio.
Des presents 'Sunday Jazz' on Choice FM every Sunday evening at 7pm. |
