Growing up in a musical household, Swiney was shaped by gospel at the Greater Open Door Missionary Baptist Church and piano lessons with Juilliard-trained Myrtle Tyus.
She learned the art of live performance in Memphis clubs before her big break with Al Green, touring internationally and honing her craft beside one of soul’s greats.
More recently, she has become a fixture of the Memphis jazz scene, recording the acclaimed album I Remember Rio, releasing her luminous take on Skylark, and founding the popular Sunset Jazz series in Court Square.
Widely regarded as Ireland’s leading jazz singer and guitarist, Mooney has been a fixture on the Dublin scene since the 1980s, first coming to prominence with the Gripewater Blues Band and since leading countless groups, from trios to big bands.
Known for his fluid guitar style and relaxed, expressive tenor voice, he has shared stages with BB King, Dr John, Larry Coryell and Georgie Fame. His recordings, including The Bohemian Mooney, have confirmed his reputation for making music accessible to audiences well beyond the core jazz crowd.
Their connection goes back to Memphis, and it showed on stage. The band featured Dominic Mullan on drums and Scott Flanigan on organ, with Mooney on guitar and vocals and Swiney out front.
Swiney set the tone with the story of her Memphis roots and her years on the road. She spoke about working with Al Green, for whom she sang backing vocals for seven years. Mooney and Swiney first met in Memphis, and that connection showed on stage.
Mooney was not given much dialogue, preferring to let the music do the talking. He introduced a Bobby Heart favourite, explaining that the musician had recently died.
The haunting Last Train to Clarksville was followed by a lively instrumental version of a song called The Slurry with the Minge on Top, but he did not explain the nomenclature. Other favourites included Our Day Will Come, Cheek to Cheek and an Ellington classic, Caravan. The quartet also played a beautiful version of Errol Garnar’s Misty, which produced heartfelt applause from the appreciative and largely jazz au fait audience.
Midway through the set, Mooney and Swiney duetted on a well-loved Al Green number, Let’s Stay Together, and the room responded. As befits a jazz night, there was space for solos from guitar, keys and drums. Each solo drew warm applause from a full house that listened closely.
Late in the evening, Swiney sang It’s a Long Way from Clare to Here. It was a highlight, and the room fell quiet before the applause. One young listener said it was her first jazz night, and that there was a lot of music between the lyrics. That summed up the evening well.