Metronome: Paul G. Smyth; Joanna Mattrey

Paul G. Smyth 
Joanna Mattrey

“A revelation … His approach to the piano is utterly original”
The New York City Jazz Record
 
“One of the great contemporary pianists”
The Free Jazz Collective
 
Since the late 90s, Paul G. Smyth has been carving a unique furrow into Ireland’s cultural landscape. Parallel to his involvement with The Jimmy Cake (described by the Irish Times as “the most powerful musical force in Ireland”), Smyth has also set himself apart as a singular voice in Europe’s vigorous improvised music scene.
 
Since touring with Charles Gayle in 1999, he has worked with such luminaries as Derek Bailey, Evan Parker, Peter Brötzmann, Keiji Haino, Barry Guy, Wadada Leo Smith, John Russell, John Edwards, Chris Corsano, Lol Coxhill, Charles Hayward, John Butcher, Hannah Marshall, Mark Sanders and Damo Suzuki, among many others, been a member of synth trio Boys Of Summer (“the sound of John Carpenter being buried alive” – Le Cool Magazine), a featured composer in the National Concert Hall, written music for theatre, and performed in 18 countries.
 
Smyth has released critically acclaimed duo albums with Peter Brötzmann, Evan Parker, Chris Corsano. John Wiese and John Russell on his label Weekertoft, which he co-founded with Russell in 2016.

Joanna Mattrey is a violist and composer working in free improvisation, new music, and classical music. She uses extended techniques, modern compositional approaches, and electronic alterations to challenge the conventions of the viola. Joanna creates an embodied performance practice centered on ceremony and ritual. Recent premieres include Battle Ready II (New Music Dublin, 2025), Battle Ready (Roulette, 2024), Arrhythmia (2023). Mattrey has had residencies with Roulette, Watermill, ISSUE Project Room, Banff, 14th Street Y, Wild Project, and MoMa PS1's ALLGOLD. Mattrey has performed with icons Tyshawn Sorey, Henry Threadgill, Miya Masaoka, Marc Ribot, gabby fluke-mogul, John Zorn, Billy Martin, Elliott Sharp, the International Contemporary Ensemble, Crash Ensemble, and Irish National Opera. Mattrey has released numerous collaborative recordings and solo projects including 'Soulcaster' (Notice Recordings), ‘Dirge’ (Dear Life Recs), 'Veiled’ (Relative Pitch Records) and her works have been reviewed by Citizen Jazz, The Wire, The Chicago Reader, Bandcamp Daily, Noise Not Music, and more. 'Joanna Mattrey is becoming a force of nature' (Foxydigitals).

Presented by NCH