The sponsor's TV ads may give a different impression, but there is actually a jazz festival again in Cork next weekend. The Guinness Jazz Festival is now 21 years old, and - though some would argue that it reached the age of adultery, musically speaking, several years before the present G-Club Mix came to dominate the marketing thrust - it has some considerable jazz players to give it a measure of credibility.
Chief among these is legendary drummer Elvin Jones, celebrated for his innovative work with John Coltrane; he leads a powerhouse quintet which includes saxophonist Sonny Fortune and trumpeter Eddie Henderson at the Everyman (where, incidentally, more daytime use is being made of the venue). Also worth catching at the Everyman should be veteran drummer Roy Haynes's quartet with pianist David Kikoski; Hot House, Arturo Sandoval's homage to his native Cuban idiom; the British answer to burning paint off doors, namely the virtuosic Sax Appeal (also to be heard at the Metropole); Louis Stewart and Honor Heffernan; and the Irish Jazz Orchestra (also down for the Met). Oh, and saxophonist Courtney Pine will be there with a group which includes turntables and hardware. It doesn't make him a bad person.
As ever, despite more evidence of adulterating the musical brew, the core of the festival is the Metropole. There are some notable establishment figures there - pianist Tommy Flanagan (with Irish guitarist Dave O'Rourke); the genial former Basie trombonist, Al Grey; Hammond organist Jimmy McGriff; and tenor Spike Robinson fronting one of Stan Getz's early rhythm sections in a tribute to the late master. The pick of these front-liners may well be multi-reedman Chico Freeman's stellar quintet, with Gary Bartz, George Cables, Santi Debriano and Vic Lewis; book your place early.
There is also tenor Javon Jackson, scheduled to perform with Peter Washington in an otherwise all-Irish group - Fintan O'Neill, Hugh Buckley and Darren Beckett. And for cheerful swing, Benny Green's quartet, with Jim Mullen and Andy Cleyndert, has its own heating system in drummer Duffy Jackson.
But the lesser-known visitors to the Metropole offer intriguing possibilities. Tenor Mark Turner, impressive on his just-released second album (backed by Brad Mehldau, no less), will play with Louis Stewart's quartet. Another exceptional tenor, Australian Dale Barlow, is part of the Guinness Allstars with Anthony Kerr, Ronan Guilfoyle and Darren Beckett. And there will be some focus on rising young guitarist Ron Affif.
Young pianists, too, should make the Metropole memorable. Lynne Arriale is back, but there's also an interesting newcomer in Lorraine Desmarais, from Quebec, while Justin Carroll, the finest young Irish pianist to emerge in recent years, will be heard (on Hammond organ) in Nigel Mooney's group with guest Richie Buckley. Another pianist, Joyce DiCamillo, heads a trio which will link up with former Buddy Rich saxophonists, Steve Marcus and Andy Fusco, in what might be a surprise of the festival.
One festival newcomer has been around for some time. Hendrik Meurkens is one of the few jazz harmonica players (another, Ray Preston, will appear with Al Grey); he also plays vibes and will be backed by Jim Doherty, Dave Fleming and John Wadham at the Metropole. Further afield, the Triskel will feature, among others, Mike Nielsen and Tommy Halferty, while among the attractions at Fitzpatrick's is Saoco, an invigorating taste of Cuba and salsa. And if that's too much jazz for you, maybe you should be at the G-Club Mix instead.
The Cork Jazz Festival runs from Friday until October 26th.