Paul G. Smyth at 50

Photo credit: Dawid Laskowski Doors 7:45 PM, Music 8:30 PM - 3 set(s) of music Line-up: Paul G. Smyth - piano Benedict Taylor - viola Daniel Thompson - guitar Áine O’Dwyer - harp John Edwards - bass Mark Sanders - drums About “one of the great contemporary pianists” - The Free Jazz Collective To mark his 50th birthday, one of Ireland's most distinctive improvising pianists, Paul G. Smyth, returns to the Vortex for an evening of sets with old friends and close collaborators. Described by The New York City Jazz Record as "a revelation" whose "approach to the piano is utterly original," Smyth has released critically acclaimed albums with Peter Brötzmann, Evan Parker, Chris Corsano, John Wiese and John Russell on his Weekertoft label and has performed across Europe with Charles Gayle, Derek Bailey, Keiji Haino, Wadada Leo Smith and Okkyung Lee. The evening opens with Smyth’s “newest trio with oldest friends,” featuring violist Benedict Taylor and guitarist Daniel Thompson. Taylor is a composer and improviser whose work extends across contemporary dance, film, theatre and art installation. Thompson, founder of Empty Birdcage Records and co-organiser of the Shoreditch Church Concert Series alongside Taylor, has collaborated with Evan Parker, John Edwards, Steve Noble and Alex Ward among many others.