Joe Chester

This article has multiple issues. Please help improve it or discuss these issues on the talk page. (Learn how and when to remove these messages) This article contains too many or overly lengthy quotations. Please help summarize the quotations. Consider transferring direct quotations to Wikiquote or excerpts to Wikisource. (July 2023) ‹ The template below (Promotional) is being considered for merging. See templates for discussion to help reach a consensus. › This article contains promotional content. Please help improve it by removing promotional language and inappropriate external links, and by adding encyclopedic text written from a neutral point of view. (September 2023) (Learn how and when to remove this message) This article may require copy editing for grammar, style, cohesion, tone, or spelling. You can assist by editing it. (October 2023) (Learn how and when to remove this message) (Learn how and when to remove this message)

Joe (Joseph) Chester is an Irish composer and musician.^[1] His albums have won acclaim, from his debut solo record, A Murder of Crows, The Easter Vigil (which was named the "Best Irish Album" of 2017), and Jupiter's Wife, which was his sixth (the Best Irish album of 2020 according to the Irish Daily Mirror).^[2]

In recent years, he has turned his attention to composing contemporary music for classical guitar. His first major commission, LUCIA, commissioned by Axis Ballymun for the centenary of James Joyce's Ulysses, was inspired by fragments of the life of Lucia Joyce, James Joyce's daughter. According to The Irish Times, it was "deft and well-considered, the work spins and soars. An elegant, discordant gem."^[3] The Times called it "a stunning tribute."^[4]

He has been lead guitarist with many groups, including The Waterboys and Gemma Hayes, and is the producer and guitarist of Dublin band A Lazarus Soul.^[5]