DUBLIN, CA – March 15, 2024 – A special musical collaboration celebrating the Sister City relationship between Dublin, California and Bray, Ireland will have its world premiere at Dublin’s 40th Annual St. Patrick’s Day Celebration. “Two Emerald Cities,” a song written by acclaimed Irish jazz vocalist Melanie O’Reilly with lyrics by Dublin, California Poet Laureate James Morehead, will debut during O’Reilly’s set on the Pub Stage this Saturday, March 16th (12:15pm – 1:30pm). O’Reilly will be joined by Bay Area musicians Frank Martin on piano and Anne Goess on fiddle.
Morehead’s poignant lyrics capture the essence of the enduring bond between the two “Emerald Cities,” highlighting themes of shared traditions, cultural exchange, and the spirit of connection that transcends geographical distance. O’Reilly, a celebrated jazz singer-songwriter with a strong presence in both Ireland and the US, brings the poem to life with her soulful vocals and music.
“Collaborating with Melanie O’Reilly to bring ‘Two Emerald Cities’ to life has been an honor,” says Morehead. “The song is a tribute to the special relationship between Dublin, California and Bray, Ireland, and I believe it will resonate with audiences on both sides of the Atlantic. Dublin’s St. Patrick’s Day Celebration is the perfect moment for this special song’s world premiere.”
Melanie O’Reilly will be joined by accomplished musicians Frank Martin on piano and Anne Goess on fiddle. Martin, a veteran of the music industry, has performed with musical icons and currently serves on the faculty at the University of California, Berkeley’s Jazz Department. Goess’s diverse background in folk music traditions adds to the richness of the performance.
The premiere of “Two Emerald Cities” promises to be a highlight of Dublin’s St. Patrick’s Day festivities, which draw thousands of visitors each year. The festival features three stages of Irish music and dance, traditional food, a crafts marketplace, carnival rides, and a special drone show commemorating the 40th anniversary.
Performance Details
- What: World Premiere of “Two Emerald Cities”
- Where: Pub Stage, Dublin St. Patrick’s Day Celebration, Dublin, CA
- When: Saturday, March 16th, 12:15 p.m. – 1:30 p.m.
About the Artists
- James Morehead: Poet Laureate of Dublin, CA, and author of multiple poetry collections.
- Melanie O’Reilly: Internationally recognized Irish jazz singer/songwriter, known for soulful performances in both Ireland and the US.
- Frank Martin: Acclaimed pianist and keyboardist, collaborator with diverse music legends, faculty member at UC Berkeley.
- Anne Goess: Skilled fiddler and singer, experienced in Irish traditional, English Country Dance, and American Contra styles.
Full Bios
James Morehead
James is the Poet Laureate of Dublin, California, host of the Viewless Wings Poetry Podcast, and has published several collections of poetry including “canvas”, “portraits of red and gray”, and “The Plague Doctor.” James’ poem “tethered” was transformed into an award-winning hand drawn animated short film, “gallery” was set to music for baritone and piano, and his poems have appeared in the Ignatian Literary Magazine, Beyond Words Literary Magazine, 2nd Place – Oprelle Oxbow Poetry Contest 2022, Citron Review, Prometheus Dreaming, Cathexis Northwest Press, and other publications.
Melanie O’Reilly
Dublin-born Melanie has become one of Ireland’s internationally known jazz singers. She returns to the Bay Area for a special guest appearance with the Simon Rowe Organ Trio.
Melanie has performed extensively throughout France, Britain, Ireland, Norway, and the USA, including representing Ireland at the Schoenburg Hall Los Angeles and again at the European Heritage Festival in Normandy in 2019. She was a Visiting Scholar /Musician in Residence at UC Berkeley’s Celtic Studies and received an award for “Artist with Extraordinary ability” by the US. While in the Bay Area, she sang regularly in jazz clubs in San Francisco Bay Area and was known as a Bay Area Treasure.
Back in Ireland she is currently Jazz Artist in Residence at Wexford Arts Centre, has created her Jazz Appreciation and Outreach series, performed her own unique song compositions for National Culture Night and has performed her Swing Jazz series to sell-out audiences. Her tribute to Anita O Day performance garnered 4-star reviews at the Edinburgh Fringe Festival Having been Artist in Residence in La Mue Normandy France, she has collaborated with acclaimed choreographer Karine Saporta in a new performance piece of jazz celtique.
She is the creator and host of the award-winning radio series “Jazz on the Bay”, originally broadcast on RTE Radio 1, which is currently being broadcast monthly on the California jazz station KCSM.org
Frank Martin
Frank is a Northern California native, is now a legendary pianist and keyboard player that has found him performing with everyone Mary J. Blige, Madonna, and Jennifer Hudson, to John McLaughlin, the Richard Bona Band, Trilok Gurta and Larry Coryell, Herbie Hancock, to Stevie Wonder, James Taylor, Chris Isaak, He has traveled as Musical Director for artists Patti Austin, Angela Bofill, Narada Michael Walden, and Roy Ares to name a few. Currently he serves as a Governor for the National Academy of Recording Arts and Sciences (NARAS) and is an adjunct Faculty member in the Jazz Dept of the University of California at Berkeley, as well as on staff at the Berkeley Jazz School.
Anne Goess
Anne is a fiddler and singer in the San Francisco Bay Area who plays a variety of styles, from trad Irish fiddle to lyrical English Country Dance to American Contra dance. She has performed for many years with the Christmas Revels in Oakland, where she was associate music director, and is a member of several bands, including Erica and Friends, and The Flagstones.
Congratulations! What a fascinating idea for collaboration!