Rory Conneally
At 17, Rory's approach to jazz piano draws inspiration from the soul music of Stevie Wonder and Marvin Gaye and jazz masters like Herby Hancock and Oscar Petterson.
His musical journey began at age 11, studying under an impressive roster of mentors including Sligo's Kieran Quinn, acclaimed jazz master Scott Flanigan, and Juilliard faculty member Elio Villafranca.
The Sligo Jazz Project, founded by Eddie Lee, has been a formative influence, with Rory attending the summer school for three consecutive years in his home county. Currently, he performs with his ensemble, The Honey Trio, alongside trumpeter Sean Boni and drummer Cal Halpin, while also holding a regular spot in the Sligo Academy of Music Jazz Orchestra under Martin Moser's direction.
Giulia Marro
Rising star of the UK jazz scene, clarinet player and vocalist Giulia Marro will be releasing her debut album in March 2025.
Having studied under jazz heavy weights at the Royal Birmingham Conservatoire and Royal Conservatoire the Hague, Benjamin Herman and Mike Williams, Giulia's playing is steeped in tradition. Inspired by the swing era and the composers of this time, Giulia's original music has reflections of Barney Bigard and Jimmy Giuffre.
Giulia has led bands across the UK in popular jazz venues and captivates audiences with her warm, vibrato filled clarinet playing, inspired by clarinet greats Barney Bigard and Artie Shaw. Giulia is also a vocalist and takes inspiration from the likes of Anita O'Day, Carmen McRae and many more
As well as being an accomplished band leader, Giulia has also performed as a sideman alongside Pete Horsfall and Xhosa Cole.
Conor McNeill
Hello! My name is Conor McNeill and I'm from the village of Ballyvoy, just outside Ballycastle Co. Antrim.
I am currently studying Music at the University of Ulster Magee Campus in Derry. I've had the privilege of performing in different jazz and performance groups at the University and have taken part in the Derry Jazz Festival for the last three years.
The range of genres that I enjoy playing include Jazz, blues, fusion and rock. When I finish my degree, I plan to become a touring musician. I am delighted to take part in the Young Irish Jazz Musician 2024, and I look forward to meeting everybody involved with it.
Thomas O’Donovan
Thomas O'Donovan is a musician from Castletownbere, Co. Cork. He is currently studying Popular Music at the Cork School of Music MTU (for which he was awarded the entrance exam scholarship).
Thomas' compositions/songs have received over one million streams worldwide.
On top of this, Thomas has also had poetry and prose published in a variety of literary journals and was selected as a Young Writer Delegate for the 2023 West Cork Literary Festival.
Aoife Whelan
I am a 19-year-old singer songwriter whose influences spread from Ella Fitzgerald, Antonio Carlos Jobim, Nancy Wilson and many others.
The aesthetics and technical side of jazz and its improvisation has had an immense impact on my style and artistry as a singer.I am currently in my second year of college studying songwriting in BIMM where I continue to create jazz infused compositions.