MUSIC Child jazz prodigy to play in Aughagower

Jazz guitar prodigy to play in Aughagower


Westport Country Lodge Hotel, Aughagower, will host a very special early-evening jazz gig for all the family on Sunday, April 18. The Andreas Varady Quartet featuring David Lyttle and guitar prodigy, 12-year-old Andreas Varady, is sure to draw the crowds. The gig is timed for 7.30pm so that children who are into playing music can get the chance to be inspired by a boy who has to be seen and heard to be believed.
Born in Slovakia into a gypsy family, the exceptionally talented Andreas has been playing the guitar since the age of four. Although not yet in his teens, he is already an accomplished, imaginative musician, inspired by his favourite guitarists, George Benson, Wes Montgomery and Joe Pass.
“It is out of the ordinary to see such a young man play with this great musicianship, tone and technique, and still have a strong sense of his own artistic expression, not to mention, he loves it!” enthused organisers of Speakeasy Jazz, a monthly jazz club in Limerick.
Taught by his guitarist father, Bandi, Andreas plays completely by ear. Since moving to Ireland with his family in 2008, has gained much experience through busking and attending Limerick’s weekly jazz workshop.  He recently performed on RTÉ’s ‘The Guitar’ and, following his popularity on the internet and performances at the Cork Jazz Festival, he has been invited to play at many international jazz festivals this year, including Belfast’s Cathedral Quarter Festival, the Derry Jazz Festival and the Brecon Jazz Festival.
Irish drumming star David Lyttle will be playing with Andreas throughout the year – in his own band, in his ‘Jazz Juniors’ educational project and in Andeas’s own quartet. This Sunday, the quartet will be comprised of Andreas and Bandi on guitar, Sligo bassist Eddie Lee and David on drums.
David Lyttle hails from Belfast. He was born into the renowned family folk group ‘The Lyttle Family’. Although classically trained on cello, his love of jazz led him to percussion. Self-taught on the drums, he gained scholarships in New York and Canada and fast-growing acclaim. He regularly plays professionally with internationally respected artists in North America, Britain and Europe, including Greg Osby, David Liebman, Jean Toussaint, Soweto Kinch, Jaqui Dankworth, Ronan Guilfoyle and Michael Buckley, who features on ‘True Story’, Lyttle’s acclaimed debut album on his ‘Lyte Records’ label.
It promises to be a stunning evening of stimulating, first-class jazz. Tickets, €10 each (€5 for kids), will be sold on the door.