Renowned drummer bringing his show to Omagh venue

AN award-winning drummer will be showcasing the next generation of jazz drumming talent during a special performance at the Strule Arts Centre, Omagh, later this month.

Drummer/composer David Lyttle of Armagh started out playing in the band of Irish guitar legend Louis Stewart.

However, since then he has gone on to bring his projects to almost 50 countries, recently including tours in North Africa, the Middle East, Asia and Canada, and he has received nominations in the MOBO Awards and Urban Music Awards.

Furthermore, he has worked with many global jazz icons and carried out several ambitious artist residencies, including a coast to coast U.S. road trip performing for subcultures ranging from bikers in California to UFO tourists in Nevada.

Closer to home, David recently had the honour of performing for President Michael D Higgins at Áras an Uachtaráin and he is the founder of ‘Jazz Juniors’ – a nationwide jazz improvisation scheme for under 18s, and funded by the Arts Council of Northern Ireland.

On the night, the award-winning drummer/composer will be performing and presenting the next generation NI jazz talent from Jazzlife Alliance’s Jazz Juniors scheme.

The scheme, open to all young musicians, sees the Jazz Juniors ensemble rehearse with David Lyttle once a month at The MAC in Belfast, and they also perform in concerts as David’s support act.

The ensemble is made up of some of the North’s best young jazz musicians, who are mentored by the Armagh musician.

The show will be at the Strule Arts Centre on May 31 at 7.30pm. For more information of the show and the programme of events on offer at the Strule Arts Centre visit www.struleartscentre.co.uk.