Gediminas Karkauskas

Gediminas Karkauskas, the acclaimed Lithuanian-born, Dublin-based jazz pianist and composer, will appear at Wexford Arts Centre before heading to perform at Weill Recital Hall, Carnegie Hall, New York, in May  Renowned for seamlessly merging the freedom of jazz improvisation with the architectural balance of classical composition, Karkauskas brings a distinctive and deeply expressive voice to contemporary piano music. His performance will feature a thoughtfully curated programme of original works, improvisations, and reimagined standards, offering audiences an intimate journey through melody, harmony, and texture. Karkauskas’s artistry is characterised by its subtle interplay of structure and spontaneity. Drawing inspiration from both the European classical tradition and the harmonic sophistication of modern jazz, his playing reveals an uncommon sensitivity — one that favours nuance, tone, and emotional storytelling over mere virtuosity. His debut album, Lost Suite, was widely acclaimed for its lyrical cohesion and cinematic atmosphere, and his live performances continue to build on that narrative-driven approach, creating music that unfolds like a conversation between discipline and freedom, past and present. Joining Karkauskas for this concert is Cormac O’Brien, one of Dublin’s leading double bassists. A native of Cabinteely, O’Brien has performed and recorded with many of Ireland’s foremost jazz musicians, including Louis Stewart, Tommy Halferty, Michael and Hugh Buckley, The Kai Big Band, The Zoid Ensemble, Lunfardia, Yurodny, Jack L, and Mary Coughlan, as well as international artists such as Bobby Watson, Rick Margitza, and Pete Churchill. He currently performs with acclaimed ensembles including Origin Story, the Carole Nelson Trio, and The Workshop, and is Assistant Professor and Programme Chair of the B.A. in Jazz Performance at Dublin City University. Together, Karkauskas and O’Brien promise a performance of refined lyricism and deep musical connection — a dialogue between piano and bass where each note feels both spontaneous and deliberate. The concert offers an evening of rich textures, thoughtful interplay, and expressive storytelling, set within the intimate acoustics of Arts Centre — an ideal setting for music that is at once personal, reflective, and profoundly engaging.