Jazzing it up in Cork
MORE than 40,000 people are expected to descend on the ‘real capital of Ireland’ over the October bank holiday weekend for the 34th Guinness Cork Jazz Festival.
This year there will be 1,000 musicians from over 20 countries coupled with an extensive fringe programme and live music trails.
As always, music will be the soul of the festival with hundreds of music sessions in over 60 pubs, theatres, clubs, hotels and venues throughout the Jazz weekend.
Widely acknowledged as one of Europe’s premier events of its kind, the Guinness Cork Jazz Festival has previously attracted some of the biggest names in jazz to Cork.
This year, American jazz pianist Justin Kauflin will open the festival at The Everyman on Friday, October 28, in a powerful double bill with contemporary jazz star Jacob Collier.
Other jazz sensations headlining at the festival include Grammy Award winner, Robert Glasper, top American jazz vibist Jason Marsalis, Sheryl Bailey, The Hot Club of Cowtown and Kurt Rosenwinkel.
In addition to the jazzy line up, the Irish pop rock band Picture This will open an eclectic series of concerts at Cork Opera House on Friday 28th October, followed by an array of top attractions including Mexican superstars Rodrigo y Gabriela, hit makers BellX1, Cork soul sensation Brian Deady, and folk legend Loudon Wainwright III.
Jason Marsalis said he was excited at the prospect of making his debut at the festival.
“I’m really looking forward to visiting Cork and playing for the audience there, as well as getting into the city and enjoying the festival for myself.”
This year’s festival will include a myriad of events including the Jazz Fringe, which will feature free attractions all over the city including Big Band Jazz, Jazz on the Plaza and Street Bands.
On Saturday, a record of six overseas marching bands will be a part of the ever popular parade, which will make its way through the streets of Cork City.
For a full programme of events taking place over the course of the jazz festival, which will run from October 28-31, visit www.guinnessjazzfestival. com.