Mary Coughlan (Ireland)

Mary Coughlan is Ireland’s greatest jazz and blues singer and “one of our most openly raw performers” (Hotpress). In a career fast approaching its 40th year, she is about to enter its next, exciting stage.

Born in Shantalla, Galway City, Mary has created some of the most uncompromising, wholly personal, and universal music by any Irish artist.

While her roots are in jazz and blues — with Billie Holiday and Bessie Smith among her inspirations — elements of pop, rock, folk, and chanson (with Édith Piaf as another touchstone) also infuse her work.

Now, the next chapter of her distinguished career finds her exploring a little-known side of the music of Peggy Lee.