Returning to Dublin for 2015 12 Points bands this year include the Laura Jurd quartet, Umbra representing Ireland, Berlin-based pianist Elias Stemeseder, and the Swiss band Hildegard Lernt Fliegen.

Jurd arrives on a wave of recent success including winning the title of jazz instrumentalist of the year at the Parliamentary Jazz Awards.

The trumpeter’s latest album, Human Spirit, released in January, emphasised the musical understanding the trumpeter shares with Irish singer Lauren Kinsella, a rapport certainly reminiscent of that of the late Kenny Wheeler’s with Norma Winstone. On the album the pair intercross experimental improvising lines with brassy support from trombonist Colm O’Hara and particularly the unusual sound of bass saxophone a feature. An extension of the Blue-Eyed Hawk quartet, Pigfoot co-leader trumpeter Chris Batchelor also appearing, the words and music written by Jurd owing their origins to a London Jazz Festival commission. Jurd's band in Dublin finds the trumpeter with her quartet featuring keyboardist Elliot Galvin, bass guitarist Conor Chaplin, and drummer Corrie Dick.

More details of the festival including ticket information and scheduling can be found at www.12points.ie