Chance to take French five

HENRI TEXIER’S Strada Quintet, one of the headliners of last April’s Bray Jazz Festivals, is back again for one night only, playing in the Irish Film Institute, Eustace Street, tomorrow night.

The French group consists of Henri Texier (bass), Gueorgui Komazov (trombone), Sebastien Texier (saxophones), Manu Codija ( guitar) and Christophe Marguet (drums). Film director Bertrand Tavernier introduces the quintet at Screen 1. SEAN Hession’s annual tribute to Old Blue Eyes is the ideal way to perk up again if you’re wilting after a day’s Christmas shopping. Expect some lesser- known items from Sinatra’s vast repertoire as well as the old favourites.

As usual, the 16-piece Dave Gold Big Band will play the Nelson Riddle role, with Louis Stewart ( guitar) and Jim Doherty (piano) playing their inimitable selves. Early booking is recommended for the Frankly Sinatra Hession Session Christmas Show in the Helix, DCU, on Friday. NEXT Sunday sees an Australian get-together at the Pendulum in JJ Smyth’s. Guitarist Jeremy Sawkins has become a regular part of the Irish scene. He attracted attention when he led a quartet at the Bray Jazz Festival last April, and more recently he has been playing with Maria Walsh in Kozie II, Dun Laoghaire, on Saturday nights. He and Damien Evans (bass) will accompany their compatriotKristen Cornwell, a highly praised singer who has alreadytoured and recorded with Sawkins. The group is completed by two Irish musicians, Karl Rooney (sax) and KevinBrady (drums). EMILIE Conway, a new name to me, will sing the Billie Holiday Songbook on Thursday night in the Boom Boom Room, Parnell Square. The songs will be interspersed with facts and anecdotes about Billie’s life. JohnKregor (guitar) and Tom Prior (bass) provide the backing, plus guest musicians.