Ever since the great English drummer John Wadham first set up his kit out in Dalkey in the 1950s, foreign-born musicians have been an important conduit for new ideas and fresh energy for Irish musicians. The ranks of the migrant musicians have swelled in recent years, but whereas most migrant brickies came here seeking employment and prosperity, and may now be thinking of returning home, it was generally less tangible benefits that attracted the musicians. Not that funding for the arts is so brilliant in Ireland, or that the facilities are so wonderful, but perhaps the Irish acceptance of artists as an integral part of our society, and the respect offered to creative musicians has been a factor.

Amongst those who have made a contribution to the Irish scene are Argentinean guitarist Ariel Hernandez, who has collaborated to marvellous effect with accordionist Dermot Dunne. Their latest album, Lunfardia, was released this year and proved that you don't have to go to Buenos Aires to hear authentic Argentinean folk music. The arrival of a succession of Australian musicians, culminating in trumpeter Paul Williamson, has led to a rash of projects featuring the trumpet, including the much lauded Electric Miles group that headlined at the Electric Picnic this year.

English alto saxophonist Nick Roth has been a powerhouse of creativity over the last five years, driving numerous large ensembles, including the Kai Big Band and Yurodny, which have energised the musicians involved and brought a contem- porary big band sound to Irish audiences.

Pianist Phil Ware, with a successful album by his trio, In Our Own Time, flying the flag for Irish jazz as far afield as Japan and India, is now such an integral part of the Irish scene that it is easy to forget he only arrived from England in the late '90s. Similarly, Irish audiences, accustomed to high quality Cuban music from Conor Guilfoyle, may have missed the fact that the drummer's groups have become more international in flavour – with native Cuban musicians, singer Evelio Galan and percussionist Frailan Moran.

Performing tonight in JJ Smyths in Dublin's Aungier Street, guitarist Sami Moukaddem, of Lebanese origin, is easily Ireland's longest standing migrant musi- cian. His latest release, The Facts of Life for the Palestinian, features the guitarist's heady blend of east and west, and is accompanied by a moving text by the artist himself and a photo essay featuring the work of Palestinian photographers. Then next Sunday in JJs, Dublin resident Italian multi-instrumentalist Franceso Turrisi's Pensierini e Canzoni explores the song forms of his native country with Danish bassist Claus Karsgaard and Portuguese drummer Joao Lobo.

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Far from taking gigs from Irish musicians, our migrant musical community has enriched and stimulated the local scene, and long may they continue to find open minds and open ears here.

clarkin@tribune.ie