Jim Doherty
Jim Doherty is a veteran of the Irish jazz scene, who also worked extensively as a session musician and composer/arranger for both TV and theatre. He led numerous bands of his own, from duets to big bands. His trio was a first of choice for countless visiting jazz musicians, along with his contemporary, pianist, Noel Kelehan. He proudly takes the credit for identifying the exceptional talents of a teenage Louis Stewart at an audition in 1960. This ultimately led Louis to New York, where he decided to return to Ireland and dedicate himself to playing jazz. In 1968, while playing in a quartet led by Jim, Louis’s supreme talents were rewarded with the best European soloist award at the Montreux jazz festival. While Louis’s international profile and jazz career took off from then, Jim and Louis remained close friends and often performed together. SPONDANCE was the first jazz recording featuring both musicians, though Jim and Louis later recorded a duet album, TUNES, in 2013. Jim is still performing today. SPONDANCE is his proudest jazz recording and he is delighted to have it performed again, coinciding with the album re-issue. Jim’s legendary quick wit, and his love of comedy, is reflected in the use of “SPON” which recurs in Jim’s band names, reflecting his love of the Goons, featuring Peter Sellers, Spike Milligan et al.
