Composer/bassist Ronan Guilfoyle is a major figure on the Irish jazz scene and has developed an international reputation as a performer, teacher and composer. He began his career with Louis Stewart's group in the early 1980's and studied at the Banff Centre for the Arts in 1986 and 1987 where his teachers included John Abercrombie (who is featured on this CD), Dave Holland, and Steve Coleman. Performing on the acoustic bass guitar since the early 1980s, Ronan is now one of the instrument's leading exponents, and is now much in demand as a bassist, both in his native Ireland and on the international jazz scene. Guilfoyle is featured in Keith Copeland trio albums on SteepleChase (“Round Trip” SCCD31425 and “Live In Limerick” SCCD 31469). Ronan has been composing for classical ensembles since 1993, specialising in compositions which feature both improvised and written music. “Renaissance Man” is a superb example of Guilfoyle’s enormous compositional talent for contemporary music. The music on this CD is dedicated to Ronan Guilfoyle's father.