Skibbereen's Brian Deady a Jazz Festival highlight

CORK’s iconic Jazz Festival is getting ready to celebrate four decades of bringing a world-renowned musical extravaganza to the banks of the Lee once more.

This year’s line-up includes West Cork singer-songwriter Brian Deady, three-time Grammy award-winner Dee Dee Bridgewater, soul sensation Imelda May, award-winning Kenny Garrett and a special partnership with the world-famous Ronnie Scott’s Jazz Club. 

The legendary band leader, Ronnie Scott, was the first international headliner to play at the inaugural Cork Jazz Festival, 40 years ago, Jennifer Gleeson, Guinness Cork Jazz sponsorship manager said.  

‘It is most appropriate that, as we celebrate its 40th edition, we have created this exclusive partnership with his famous jazz club
in London,’ she said.

Ronnie Scott’s will operate a pop-up jazz club at the Festival Club in the Metropole Hotel, which will feature many Irish and overseas musicians. And the ‘Ronnie Scott’s All Stars’ band will play The Everyman on Sunday afternoon, all as part of an in-depth partnership that looks set to be one of the major highlights of the festival weekend.

It is expected that over 40,000 people from home and abroad will descend on Cork city from Friday October 27th to Monday October 30th as the city will once again transform into the jazz capital of Europe.

As well as the ticketed gigs, there is a melting pot of free-of-charge jazz entertainment over the weekend, in over 70 venues including pubs, hotels, restaurants and clubs. 

The on-street entertainment is also a big focus this year, including an open air concert taking place on Friday 27th at Emmet Place, headlined by West Cork’s own Brian Deady and Paddy Casey, as well as a street parade on the Saturday October 28th, which includes vibrant street performers, marching bands and even a dedicated jazz bus.

‘We are proud to continue to support this important cultural event and to work in partnership with the Cork Jazz Festival Committee,’ said Jennifer. 

‘This is a big festival year for both of us as we continue to work together to keep the festival strong and healthy and to support the local economy. It’s an amazing event that has gone from strength to strength for 40 years.’

For more details on the Guinness Cork Jazz Festival 2017, including venues and gigs, log on to www.guinnessjazzfestival.com.