MARK KELSO'S MYSTIC ISLE PROJECT
August 26, 27, 28, 29 @ 8:00 PM

Mark Kelso - Drums,
Luis Deniz - Alto sax,
Mike Downes - Acoustic bass
Fowen Faracombe - Acoustic piano

The Mystic Isle Project is drummer/composer Mark Kelso’s new acoustic quartet, and his coinciding recording “The Antrim Coast”, (2025 JUNO jazz nominee)  featured music written for and dedicated to his birthplace of Belfast and its  surrounding areas in Northern Ireland. Incidentally, Mark says the Mystic Isle  refers to the whole island of Ireland, for the poets and writers, their wonderful  storytelling, and the country’s stunning landscapes.  

For the group, Mark hand-picked 3 of his all-time favourite musicians to bring his project to life. Mike Downes, a long-time musical cohort is on acoustic bass, Luis  Deniz, his Cuban compatriot in the Jazz Exiles, is on alto & soprano sax and rising  jazz superstar Ewen Farncombe is on acoustic piano. Mark says,“Even though  I’ve lived in Canada since I was 9 years old, Northern Ireland has always  remained close to my heart, and through all my visits there over the years, it has  remained one of the most beautiful places I’ve ever seen. I’m thrilled to be finally  honoring my homeland at this point in my life, and these players are the perfect  musicians to help me do that”.  

The quartet will be heading into the studio this August for a follow-up recording  that will be released sometime in 2027. The band will be performing their all-new