All News

Below are all the news items that have appeared on our home page, over the years.

Current News

It's beginning to look a lot like Christmas!
Dec 11, 2022
We're back in the Kings Head on Sunday 11th for our only public gig, this December. Why not join us and experience the incredible big band sound in Galway's original Sunday afternoon Jazz venue? There might even be a festive tune or two! With only 2 weeks to Christmas, there's no better way to start that Christmas feeling!

Album Launch
Oct 9, 2022
Join us in the Kings Head on Sunday Oct 9th (from 1pm to 3) for the launch of our latest album 'Full Circle'. This 10-track CD, recorded in 2021, showcases the band's versatility, with each track being an example of differing styles within the big band genre. Although recorded in band-members' homes, during lockdown, there were no compromises, in terms of quality! Produced and mixed by our Musical Director, John Fleming, and mastered in 2022 by Ed Kenehan and John Fleming, this album is one we're proud to have created.
To celebrate its launch, we will play a full set, including songs from the album, which you'll be able to pick up to bring the true sound of our big band into your car or home (listen here). We hope to see you there!

Christmas Single
Dec 6, 2021
Black Magic Big Band is proud to announce the release of it first Christmas single - Christmas Just Ain't Christmas (Without You) - available on all major streaming services.
This light-hearted, modern Christmas Duet was written, arranged, and produced by the Band's Musical Director, John Fleming, and features the vocal talents of Nicola McGuire and Keith McDonald.

News Archive

3 Lunchtime Gigs in the King's Head in December
Nov 30, 2021
The big band will play in the King's Head, Galway from 1-3pm on Sundays 5th, 12th, and 19th of December. Due to COVID restrictions, there is limited capacity (table seating only) so we recommend you arrive early!
Supported by the Galway City Council.

RIP Tony McDonald
August 27, 2021
We say goodbye to a founding member of the band, Tony McDonald, who sadly passed away today. We are all better for having known him. A gentleman, extraordinary musician and entertainer, and good friend to all.
Tony arranged many numbers for the Big band in the early years, including his own song 'Hot Damn!', which was a favourite in the Jazz Masters' 20-year-long Sunday morning jazz session in the King's Head, Galway. He was instrumental in bringing the big band up to a professional level and was an inspiration for all jazz musicians, working in Galway today.
"A large pint of Guiness for a thirsty trombone player!"

Its time for another Album
April 2, 2020
It's been a long time since we could rehearse together, so we've started to collaborate on a lockdown album. All inital recording is happening in each player's home studios (with a lot of emails being passed between us) but if lockdown restrictions ever ease, hopefully each section will be able to come together in a recordding studio for more cohesive, natural recordings - and to enjoy playing together again. It's been a long lockdown!

Rehearsals put on hold for COVID-19
March 30, 2020
Our planned return to the rehearsal room has to be put on hold for the next while, due to the country's lockdown measures to deal with the Coronavirus pandemic. We'll keep an eye on the government guidelines and will return to rehearsals once it is safe to do so.
We hope you all stay safe and look forward to seeing you all when things return to normal.

An End to Our 20-Year-Long Monday Night Residency
December 20, 2019
After 20 years of regular Monday night performances, the Black Magic Big Band has decided to move away from the weekly pub performance model and is going back to the rehearsal room in the new year. We plan to perform in Galway, every month or so, starting in the spring of 2020.

An End to Our 20-Year-Long Monday Night Residency
December 20, 2019
After 20 years of regular Monday night performances, the Black Magic Big Band has decided to move away from the weekly pub performance model and is going back to the rehearsal room in the new year. We plan to perform in Galway, every month or so, starting in the spring of 2020.

New Monday Night Residency
October 15, 2018
The band's Monday night residency in Busker Browne's, which began in July 2010, came to an end in September 2018 but we immediately started looking for a new venue to continue our 18-year tradition of bringing the unique sound of high-quality live Big Band Jazz, Swing, Soul, Funk, and Blues to Galway.

We're delighted to announce that from Monday, November 5th, we'll begin a new monday night residency in Seven Bridgestreet, just around the corner from our previous venue.

The band is very much looking forward to playing in this new venue, with its convenient location and friendly staff, and we look forward to seeing you there.

In Deepest Sympathy
March 23, 2017
We are deeply saddened to learn that our good friend and former manager, Bob Parsonson (left), passed away on the 15th of March. He will be sorely missed but fondly remembered always. Our thoughts are with his family - especially his wife, Frankie. Rest in Peace, Bob. Or maybe not peace exactly - knowing you, you're probably already managing a heavenly big band, comprised of all the greats, that's at this very minute blasting out Mr. Anthony's Boogie.

We were equally saddened to hear that John Merrick (right); one of our original trumpet section and a mentor, inspiration, and friend to most of the Galway's current professional brass players; passed away 6 days later, on the 21st of March. John, a member of the famous long-running Sunday morning Kings Head jazz band, 'The Jazz Masters', will be remembered fondly by generations of admirers whenever they hear the song 'Georgia on my mind'. His wife, Mary, and all his family are in our thoughts and prayers. Rest in peace, John - your legacy is plain to see in all the trumpet players you've influenced during your long time in Galway's music scene.

Guest Artist
November 7, 2016
Many thanks to drumming legend Ralph Rolle for stepping in for a few numbers tonight.

10 Years in Bar903
February 10, 2010
As some of you may or may not know, Galway's very own and original big band, The Black Magic Big Band, have been playing in Bar 903 (formerly Bar Cuba) since February 2000. This one of the longest running residencies in Galway's music scene. Many members have passed through the band over the last 10 years but the quality has always improved as the years have ticked by.