A diverse array of musicians – including many who fall outside the “jazz” remit — will converge on Cork for the Guinness Jazz Festival f rom October 23rd to 26th. More than 120 acts will play in 28 venues.
Highlights for faithful jazz aficionados include acclaimed saxophonist Pharaoh Sanders, who will play with a quartet on October 25th. The Sun Ra Arkestra will also perform, as well The Alain Bédard Auguste Quartet, the Gilard Atzmon Jazz Quartet and the Francois Bourassa Quartet.
Other musical highlights include everything from indie and rock acts Delorentos, Buzzcocks, Fionn Regan and Fun Lovin’ Criminals to Irish rockabilly star Imelda May, dance act Fish Go Deep, tribute acts These Charming Men and The Stone Roses Experience, and the ever-popular Hypnotic Brass Ensemble.
The diversity of the line-up was a deliberate move, according to programme director Jack McGouran. “The festival has always stretched the purist’s concept of jazz to include other variants such as world music, blues, funk, soul, groove, improv music, even jazz rock – and in recent years nu-jazz and electronica. That’s been the secret of Cork’s success , always moving forward with new sounds for new audiences. The Guinness Cork Jazz Festival is for everyone, not just the elitists.” www.guinnessjazz festival.com
lmurphy@irishtimes.com
