The Hymns
Dave Redmond
Upright & Electric Bass
Dave is best known for his collaborations with renowned Irish and International groups, and musicians including the acclaimed American pianist Bill Carrothers as part of the Kevin Brady Trio, Larry Coryell, the UK jazz vocalist Ian Shaw. He is a member of both the Phil Ware Trio and Tommy Halferty Trio. He is also a member of Yurodny (one of Ireland’s leading World Music groups). He attended The Newpark Music Centre, Dublin for three years (1999-2002) where he focused on double bass receiving the Associate in Jazz Double Bass Performance awarded by the London Guildhall School of Music and Drama and is currently studying in D.I.T for a Masters in music performance. David has appeared on over 30 albums of established Irish and International artists and is involved in on going TV and radio performances for clients such as RTE radio and television, Lyric FM, and BBC Radio. In 2013, Redmond released his Debut recording (Roots) featuring leading jazz musicians Jason Rigby (sax) Bill Carrothers (Piano) and Kevin Brady (drums) on the leading Spanish record label “Fresh Sound New Talent” featuring Redmond’s compelling and original compositions. “All About Jazz” featured this recording as one of the top releases of 2013. It also received a 4 star review in the Irish Times and RTE Ten Magazine.
Will Dowling
Saxophones & Clarinets
Will is a Dubliner who started his musical life at the age of 7 in the Artane Boys Band. Influenced by Irish music, jazz, soul and funk Will began playing jazz at a young age and played in many ensembles. On receiving a part scholarship to Dublin Institute of Technology when he left school Will began to explore writing music, new instruments and generally expanding his knowledge. At that point Will practiced a variety of styles, including classical, jazz, pop, rock and was involved with many musicians and bands in Dublin and was a core member of hally in the late 90’s. He has also been involved in several other bands with Ian Smith (guitar) and the two have closely collaborated on many musical projects. In addition to music at this point Will had a keen interest in business. On moving to California in 1999 he set up and managed bands in the San Francisco Bay area. At that point he was also assisted in the coordination of the visit to Shoreline of the Dalai Lama and other events. On returning to Ireland Will got involved in the education business and he currently runs businesses across Ireland, the UK and Europe.
Greg Lloyd
Piano
Originally from Sydney, Greg’s curiosity and love for the jazz genre was initially sparked upon hearing Oscar Peterson play a B-flat Blues. This led to his completion of a B.Mus. in Jazz Performance from the Sydney Conservatorium and the Australian National University in the late 1990s.
Greg decided to explore the world and has been based in Dublin for the last 11 years during which time he has collaborated with many musicians. Greg had the wonderful opportunity to spend a year in Algiers working with the ‘Chaabi’ musicians, underground since the revolution. Greg arranged, orchestrated and rehearsed this music for the documentary film ‘El Gusto‘, an Algerian ‘Buena Vista Social Club’. This period of filming culminated in a tour of Europe where Greg performed with the El Gusto Orchestra at the Barbican (UK) and the Berlin Jazz Festival. The following two years Greg lived in Paris where he was involved in a number of different musical projects.
Upon his return to Dublin in 2009 Greg embarked upon the process of recording his debut CD. Inevitably all the influences along his journey have blended together and thus emerges a stunning album with an instrumental style of writing that beautifully weaves together the genres of jazz and world music.
The piano motives remain the heart of the group’s sound and this is strongly influenced by the musicians he is working with: drummer Kevin Brady (Ireland) bassist Dave Redmond (Ireland), percussionist Frailan Moran (Cuba) & percussionist Eddie McGinn (Ireland).
Greg has studied with Joe Zawinul, Lee Konitz, John Patitucci, Mike Stern, Mark Murphy, Niels-Henning Orsted Pedersen and Mike Nock and on the Rock side of things Greg has worked with Damon Albarn ( Blur/ Gorillaz )
Today Greg spends his time touring Europe, Asia, Australia and New York working and composing.
Ian Smith
Guitar
Ian has been playing music in a variety of original and cover bands since his early teens. In the late 90’s Ian became involved with the hally project. However he always kept a variety of musical styles and was a key member and producer of ‘Elvis – The Way it Was, a 12-piece tribute to the king of Rock and Roll. In 2004 Ian played alongside Elvis’ own backing group, the TCB band, and the Jordanaires to a sold out Point Depot, Dublin. He went on to perform a number of times with these musicians in a variety of venues and recording studios. Ian was lucky to have met and performed with another of his heroes in 2006 when the reverend Solomon Burke played in Dublin’s Vicar Street. Other musical work includes production work when he co-wrote and produced the “Elvis Presley Story” and “Get Back: The Story of the Beatles”, touring extensively and playing numerous long runs in Dublin theaters such as the Gaiety, Tivoli and Olympia. Since 2014 Ian has been working with the Dublin based band, The Riptide Movement, originally as technician, then tour manager and now performing with the band onstage. With The Riptide Movement he has toured with the band in Ireland, UK, mainland Europe and the Middle East. Recently Ian has started writing and recording music for The International Radio Company for use on podcasts. Ian also works as the creative director of Big Top Multimedia (formerly Noise Multimedia) a design and development agency based in Dublin.
Kevin Brady
Drums & Percussion
Kevin is a professional musician from Dublin with over twenty years’ experience performing and recording both nationally and internationally. He received a Licentiate Diploma in Drum kit Performance the London Guildhall School of Music and Drama and is currently studying for his MA in Music from The Cork School of Music. Kevin has researched and studied many different ethnic drumming styles and this has led to extensive study periods in Havana, Cuba with World renowned percussionists Jose Eladio Amat & Luis Papine. Kevin has performed both at home and abroad with International artists and he has played on numerous TV & radio shows for companies such as NBC, ABC, BBC, CHANNEL 7 & many of Ireland’s national radio and television broadcasting companies. Kevin has performed throughout the World at music festivals & at many of the World’s most prestigious venues such as The Sydney Opera House, London jazz clubs Ronnie Scotts & Pizza Express. In 2006 Kevin began to lead his own piano trio featuring the U.S. pianist/composer Bill Carrothers and bassist Dave Redmond. The group have traveled widely and won the appreciation of discerning jazz audiences as far afield as the USA, Europe, China and the Azores. To date they have released two critically acclaimed studio albums entitled Common Ground & Zeitgeist. Their latest studio album features ECM recording artist Norma Winstone and is entitled Ensam.
Gary O’ Reilly
Electronics & Vocals
Gary is a 22 year old songwriter and electronic music producer. He has lots of live experience performing in The Academy Dublin, the 3 Arena, Mandella Hall in Belfast, as well as DJing at festivals such as Electric Picnic, Longitude, Body & Soul, Castlepalooza, to name but a few. He studied in BIMM Dublin, where he earned his degree in Commercial Modern Music. Gary’s current projects are the disco re mixers Mix & Fairbanks, the Dark Exit 13, and his songwriting project Me & My Moods.
