By Dan Walsh
Wexford-based Melanie O’Reilly, jazz musician and Honorary Consul to France is having a busy week ahead of an Afternoon Jazz session in Wexford Arts Centre on Wednesday.
Last Saturday Melanie attended a very special event when a plaque dedicated to Irish Hollywood legend Maureen O’Hara (1920-2015) was unveiled by the Lord Mayor of Dublin James Geoghegan, as locals and admirers of Ms O’Hara gathered to celebrate at 32 Beechwood Avenue in Dublin’s Ranelagh.
Melanie said her mother Bonnie and Ms. O’Hara were good friends. “They looked quite like sisters. They both had that dark, auburn, red hair, and lots of it. The two of them went on to be very good friends, and of course, the rest is history… Maureen went on to Hollywood where her most famous role was alongside John Wayne in the classic film ‘The Quiet Man’.
Melanie told WexfordLocal.com that the two met as young children training at the Rathmines Theatre Company, which Ms O’Hara attended from the age of 10 before moving to the Abbey Theatre at the age 14.
Swing into Jazz in the Afternoon with Melanie O’Reilly Trio takes place on Wednesday, September 11th, 2-4pm featuring Melanie O’Reilly (Vocals), Carole Nelson (Piano), Adrian Jackson (Bass).
Join Melanie and her stellar Swing trio for an afternoon of uplifting celebration of the favourite songs of the Swing Era composed by Ellington, Count Basie, Stan Kenton, Gershwin, Cole Porter, Fats Waller and made popular by the legendary jazz singers of Ella Fitzgerald, Frank Sinatra, Rosemary Clooney, Anita O’Day, Nat King Cole, Nina Simone and more. An afternoon full of toe tappin’ swing rhythm – All welcome!
https://wexfordartscentre.ticketsolve.com/ticketbooth/shows/873648550
WexfordLocal.com 