The Black Gate on Francis Street in the city, was one of Galway’s most popular music venues until  it closed during Covid and subsequently had to move from that location. The good news is that it will soon reopen in a new, permanent home on Flood Street.

In the intervening years, it has continued to host gigs in other city venues.  The next one is next Thursday, August 22, at An Taibhdhearc and it will feature Suzanne Savage performing The Songs of Joni Mitchell, accompanied by musicians Johnny Taylor (piano), Rod Patterson (double bass) and Aengus Hackett (guitar). It’s at 8pm.

Suzanne’s warm, crystalline voice spins a thread through the quartet’s arrangements of classic Joni Mitchell songs, chosen from renowned albums including Clouds (1969), Blue (1971) and Hejira (1976).

A prolific session vocalist, jazz musician and contemporary classical soloist, Suzanne was a favourite with audiences during the Black Gate’s pre-pandemic JAZZgate series,  She is a recipient of this year’s Irish Arts Council Music Bursary for her songwriting.

Next month she will reprise her role as soloist with the RTÉ Concert Orchestra for The Words and Music of Leonard Cohen. This concert in the 3Arena follows sold-out Bord Gáis shows in 2022 and 2020.

Suzanne also appeared on TG4 in March 2022, performing her solo music on season one of the music series Cumasc: Séisiúin Sa Black Gate, curated by Peadar King.

Next week, she will be live at An Taibhdhearc, celebrating one of the 20th century’s greatest artists in the company of three top-class musicians.

Tickets are €22 from  https://www.tickettailor.com/events/theblackgateculturalcentre/1322864?

Pictured: Suzanne Savage  and musicians will offer their interpretation of classic Joni Mitchell songs.