Up to 50,000 jazz fans are expected to descend upon Cork for the October Bank Holiday weekend.
The details of the 2004 Guinness Cork Jazz Festival were launched yesterday. The four-day event attracts music lovers from around the world and is expected to inject more than €20 million into the Cork economy.
Now in its 26th year the festival is one of the most important events on Ireland's arts and cultural calendar. This year's line-up will see more than 1,000 musicians from 25 countries play in over 75 venues.
Among the artists included in the line-up are the Mingus Big Band, Bobby Watson, Jimmy Smith, the Tim Garland Quartet and the Orient House Ensemble.
There was a last minute change in the programme when musician Michael Brecker had to pull out because of severe back problems. Saxophone player Kenny Garrett and his quartet will play in his stead.