Name: Mike Nielsen's Sound Recipes
Start: 2026-07-04T21:00:00+01:00
End: 2026-07-04T23:00:00+01:00
Location: Arthur’s Blues & Jazz Club

Jazz improv
About this Event

Mike Nielsen, Guitarist, composer, author, inventor, Mike Nielsen is a lecturer in jazz at the Technical University, Dublin. His three main research topics include, improvisation, rhythm and microtonality. His diverse performance experience ranges from Dixieland—Modern—Microtonality. His unique style is influenced by jazz, classical, flamenco, Irish and world music genres. Featured on 25 recordings, Mike’s most notable recordings are with Dave Liebman (Ex Miles Davis) with whom he has also toured with. As a solo performer he has opened for Elvin Jones and John McLaughlin. He has played with many international starts including, Joe Lovano, Larry Coryell, Adam Nussbaum, Richie Beirach, Kenny Werner and Sonny Fortune. A recipient of many Arts Council Awards, a most recent one relates to the development of fretless guitar practice as part of his solo performance. His performance-related research includes an MPhil in physics and music (PhD in music and physics) in microtonal guitar design, composition and system development (First Award), the work is featured in The Contemporary Guitar publication by Grammy Award winning microtonal guitarist, John Schneider; PhD in microtonal system development, improvisation and microtonal vocal development; LTCL in classical guitar performance, and he received a Jim Hall incentive award to attend Berklee College (’83 - ‘85). German publishing company Schott, released his book, Precision Timing for all Instruments in 2016. His current performing focus is on solo guitar and with his current Trio, New York double bassist, Brian Questa and long-time collaborator, Shane O’ Donovan, drums and electronics. Trio Sound Recipes features special arrangements of popular and jazz songs in addition to original compositions. Future performances include, Bray Jazz Festival opening for Fred Hersch, Arthur’s Jazz Club, Scott’s Jazz Club and The Whale Theatre, Greystones

“I have always loved Mike’s approach to guitar and music in general. A truly unique, one-of -a- kind voice, the music here burns with creativity and passion.” (Dave Liebman, solo guitar CD)

Shane O’ Donovan is a Dublin based drummer and electronic music producer. Currently very active on the Dublin jazz scene, Shane is involved in a number of projects alongside some of Ireland's leading jazz musicians. These include Michael Buckley’s Ebb and Flow, Hugh Buckley’s Purple Dayz, OKO, Magical Dog, Gamerz with Kit Downes and John Moriarty Quartet. He has also worked with many top international musicians such as Tim Berne, Greg Osby, Ernie Watts, Rick Margitza, Guy Barker, John Stowell, Greg Burke, and Jamie Oehlers, to name a few. After many years spent producing electronic music Shane has amassed a vast repertoire ranging from melodic ambient to abstract experimental beats and soundscapes. Shane’s drumming style can be characterised as an amalgamation of his love for Jazz drumming and the complex electronic grooves associated with artists such as Autechre, Squarepusher, Aphex Twin and Venetian Snaresh.

Brian Questa is a double bassist and composer from New York City, now based in Ireland. He spent a decade in New York’s jazz and experimental scenes, performing with artists including Han Bennink, Mary Halvorson, and Tony Malaby. His music moves between jazz, classical, and electronic approaches, shaped by composition studies with Wolfgang Rihm and Marco Stroppa in Germany. His work has been presented internationally at festivals such as the Japan Media Arts Festival, ICMC, and the Zagreb Biennale.