COLTRANE 100: Both Directions at Once, Aynur Doğan & Makaya McCraven to Headline the National Concert Hall’s Perspectives Series for 2026  

• Kurdish Music Icon Aynur Doğan(31 March 2026) 
• Grammy-winning pianist Kris Davis (19 March 2026) 
• American jazz drummer/producer-Makaya McCraven (7 May 2026)  
• MacArthur fellow guitarist Mary Halvorson: Canis Major (15 May 2026) 
• COLTRANE 100: Both Directions at Once (14 November 2026) 
• On sale 12th November 10am via www.nch.ie or 01 417 0000 

The National Concert Hall is delighted to announce its Perspectives Series for 2026 (March to November), a bold and adventurous programme presenting the most compelling voices in contemporary music today. Headlined by three landmark performances in the Main Auditorium, the 2026 series will feature Kurdish music icon Aynur Doğan (31 March 2026), visionary American jazz drummer and producer Makaya McCraven (7 May 2026), and the all-star celebration of John Coltrane’s centenary, COLTRANE 100: Both Directions at Once (14 November 2026).  

In addition, exciting concerts in The Studio will also be performed by Grammy-winning pianist Kris Davis, joined by DoYeon Kim (gayageum) and Tom Rainey (drums) (19 March 2026) and The MacArthur fellow guitarist Mary Halvorson: Canis Major (15 May 2026).   

PERSPECTIVES 2026   

Aynur Doğan (31 March 2026, 8pm - Main Stage)

Hailed as one of the most prominent Kurdish singers of our time, Aynur’s impressive voice and extraordinary musical narration infuses traditional Kurdish folk music with the contemporary sensibility of Western music. With collaborations spanning Yo-Yo Ma, Riccardo Muti, Kayhan Kalhor and the NDR Big Band, Aynur’s soaring voice and evocative storytelling have captivated audiences across the globe. Her ability to connect people through music affirms her place as one of the most powerful and influential voices in Kurdish and world music.    

Makaya McCraven (7 May 2026, 8pm - Main Stage) 

A leading light of 21st-century jazz, McCraven is a prolific American drummer, composer and producer who has been described as a “cultural synthesizer” whose work fuses improvisation, beat culture and global influences. Following the anniversary of his breakthrough album In the Moment, he returns to the NCH with material from his album In These Times and a series of new EPs, presenting a fusion of improvisation, innovative rhythms and deep cultural references.   

COLTRANE 100: Both Directions at Once (14 November 2026, 7.30pm - Main Stage) 

Marking the centenary of John Coltrane’s birth, this once-in-a-lifetime performance brings together saxophonists Joe Lovano and Melissa Aldana, pianist Nduduzo Makhathini, bassist Linda May Han Oh, and drummer Jeff “Tain” Watts. Drawing on Coltrane’s words about going “both directions at once,” the group will present modern interpretations of Coltrane’s repertoire alongside originals inspired by his spirit and legacy.  

While the Main Auditorium events form the centrepiece of the series, Perspectives 2026 also presents exciting projects in The Studio, including:  

Kris Davis (19 March 2026, 8.30pm - The Studio) – Grammy-winning pianist, hailed by The New York Times as a beacon of contemporary jazz, joined by DoYeon Kim (gayageum) and Tom Rainey (drums). 

Mary Halvorson: Canis Major (15 May 2026, 8.30pm -The Studio ) – The MacArthur fellow guitarist unveils a brand-new quartet performing all new compositions by Mary Havorson, featuring Dave Adewumi (trumpet), Henry Fraser (bass) and Tomas Fujiwara (drums). 

Ticketing & Box Office information  

Tickets from €15 for Main Stage Concerts & €27 for those in The Studio. On sale 12th November 10am via www.nch.ie or 01 417 0000   

ENDS  

Media Queries: Sinead Doyle, Marketing & PR Manager or Roisin Dwyer, PR & Publications Executive, National Concert Hall, Earlsfort Terrace, Dublin 2. (S. Doyle Tel: 087 1775334 / R. Dwyer 085 7129628)       

About the National Concert Hall            

The National Concert Hall (NCH) is Ireland’s national cultural institution for music, proudly serving the Irish public since it opened in 1981 through live music performances and significant educational and cultural programmes. Based in the heart of Dublin’s city centre, next door to the picturesque Iveagh Gardens, the NCH is proud home to National Symphony Orchestra Ireland, as well as providing residence for a range of other music organisations including Chamber Choir Ireland, Irish Baroque Orchestra, Music Network, Crash Ensemble and Music Generation. It is currently planning for a major redevelopment of all facilities as part of the National Development Plan and Project Ireland 2040. 

 

COLTRANE 100: Both Directions at Once, Aynur Doğan & Makaya McCraven le bheith i gceannas ar shraith Perspectives 2026 an Cheolárais Náisiúnta 

· Kurdish Music Icon Aynur Doğan (31 Márta 2026) 

· Pianódóir, buaiteoir-Grammy Kris Davis (19 Márta 2026) 

· Drumaire agus léiritheoir snagcheoil Meiriceánach, Makaya McCraven (7 Bealtaine 2026) 

· Giotáraí agus scoláire MacArthur Mary Halvorson: Canis Major (15 Bealtaine 2026) 

· COLTRANE 100: Both Directions at Once (14 Samhain 2026) 

Tá áthas ar Cheoláras Náisiúnta na hÉireann a fhógairt go mbeidh Sraith Perspectives 2026 ar siúl, clár dána, eachtrúil a chuireann na guthanna is spéisiúla sa cheol comhaimseartha i láthair. 

Beidh Sraith 2026 faoi cheannas trí léiriú mór sa Phríomh-Áras, lena n-áirítear siombail cheoil na gCúird, Aynur Doğan (31 Márta 2026), an drumaire agus léiritheoir snagcheoil Meiriceánach cumasach, Makaya McCraven (7 Bealtaine 2026), agus an ócáid shóisearach COLTRANE 100: Both Directions at Once (14 Samhain 2026) ceiliúradh mór ar chéad bhliain bhreithe John Coltrane. 

Ina theannta sin, beidh cláracha spéisiúla ar siúl sa Studio ina mbeidh an pianódóir, buaiteoir Grammy, Kris Davis i dteannta DoYeon Kim (gayageum), agus Tom Rainey (drumaí) (19 Márta 2026), agus an giotáraí agus scoláire MacArthur, Mary Halvorson: Canis Major (15 Bealtaine 2026). 

PERSPECTIVES 2026 

· Aynur Doğan (31 Márta 2026, 8pm) 

Ceann de na hamhránaithe Curdacha is mó le rá dá ré, meascann guth cumhachtach Aynur agus a scéalaíocht cheolmhar thraidisiúnta ceol dúchasach na Curdach le mothúcháin agus blas an cheoil Iartharaigh chomhaimseartha. Le comhoibriú le ceoltóirí ar nós Yo-Yo Ma, Riccardo Muti, Kayhan Kalhor agus an NDR Big Band, tá a guth cumasach agus a scéalaíocht bhríomhar tar éis lucht éisteachta ar fud an domhain a mhealladh. Is deimhniú dá cumas daoine a aontú tríd an gceol í a háit mar cheann de na guthanna is cumhachtaí agus is tionchair i gceol na Curdach agus sa cheol domhanda. 

· Makaya McCraven (7 Bealtaine 2026, 8pm) 

Ceannródaí den snagcheol sa 21ú haois, is buailteoir, cumadóir agus léiritheoir Meiriceánach é Makaya McCraven ar tugadh “sintéiseoir cultúrtha” air, ceoltóir a chumascann ionstraimíocht bheo, cultúr na mbuille agus tionchair dhomhanda. Ag leanúint bliain chomórtha a albaim cheannródaigh In the Moment, filleann sé ar an gCeoláras Náisiúnta le hábhar ó In These Times agus sraith EPanna nua a chomhcheanglaíonn seift, rithimí nuálacha agus tagairtí cultúrtha domhain. 

· COLTRANE 100: Both Directions at Once (14 Samhain 2026, 7.30pm) 

Mar chomóradh céad bliain bhreith John Coltrane, tugann an léiriú eisceachtúil seo le chéile Joe Lovano agus Melissa Aldana(sacsafóin), Nduduzo Makhathini(pianó), Linda May Han Oh (dord), agus Jeff “Tain” Watts(drumaí). Ag tarraingt ar fhocail Coltrane faoin “dul i mbeirt treo ag an am céanna,” tabharfaidh an grúpa léirmhínithe nua-aimseartha dá shaothar, mar aon le píosaí bunaidh a spreag a spiorad agus a oidhreacht. 

Cé gurb iad imeachtaí an Phríomh-Árais croílár na sraithe, cuireann Perspectives 2026 tionscadail nua spreagúla eile i láthair sa Studio, lena n-áirítear: 

· Kris Davis (19 Márta 2026, 8.30pm) – Pianódóir buaiteoir Grammy, ar thug The New York Times cur síos uirthi mar réalta threorach an tsnagcheoil chomhaimseartha, i dteannta DoYeon Kim (gayageum) agus Tom Rainey (drumaí). 

· Mary Halvorson: Canis Major (15 Bealtaine 2026, 8.30pm) – An giotáraí clúiteach agus scoláire MacArthur ag cur ceathairéad nua i láthair le Dave Adewumi (trumpa), Henry Fraser (dord), agus Tomas Fujiwara (drumaí). 

Ticéid & Eolas an Bhosca Ticeád 

Ticéid ó €15 do léirithe sa Phríomhstáitse agus ó €27 do léirithe sa Studio. Ar díol ón 12 Samhain ag 10rn trí www.nch.ie nó ar 01 417 0000 

CRÍOCH 

Iarratais na Meán: Sinéad Doyle, Bainisteoir Margaíochta & Caidrimh Phoiblí nó Róisín Dwyer, Feidhmeannach Caidrimh Phoiblí & Foilseachán Ceoláras Náisiúnta na hÉireann, Ardán Fhearnáin, Baile Átha Cliath 2 S. Doyle: 087 177 5334 R. Dwyer: 085 712 9628 

Faoin gCeoláras Náisiúnta 

Tá an Ceoláras Náisiúnta (CN) institiúid chultúrtha náisiúnta na hÉireann don cheol, a fhreastalaíonn go bródúil ar phobal na hÉireann ó osclaíodh é i 1981 trí thaibhithe ceoil beo agus cláir shuntasacha oideachais agus chultúrtha. Lonnaithe i gcroílár Bhaile Átha Cliath, agus béal dorais le Gairdíní Uíbh Eachach, tá an CN bródúil as ár gCeolfhoireann Shiansach Náisiúnta, chomh maith le háit chónaithe a chur ar fáil do réimse eagraíochtaí ceoil eile lena n-áirítear Cór Aireagail Éireann, Ceolfhoireann Bharócach na hÉireann, Music Network, Crash Ensemble agus Music Generation. Tá sé i gceist faoi láthair athfhorbairt mór á dhéanamh ar na háiseanna go léir mar chuid den Phlean Forbartha Náisiúnta agus de Thionscadal Éireann 2040.