Drummer Ginger Baker to play Cork Jazz Festival

Some 40,000 music fans expected in city for festival over October Bank Holiday

Ginger Baker (left) - who formed Cream in the 1960s with Eric Clapton (right) and Jack Bruce and later played with Blind Faith - will perform at the Everyman Theatre at this year’s Guinness Cork Jazz Festival. This image is of a Royal Albert Hall show in 2005. File photograph: Dylan Martinez/Reuters
Ginger Baker (left) - who formed Cream in the 1960s with Eric Clapton (right) and Jack Bruce and later played with Blind Faith - will perform at the Everyman Theatre at this year’s Guinness Cork Jazz Festival. This image is of a Royal Albert Hall show in 2005. File photograph: Dylan Martinez/Reuters

Rock drummer Ginger Baker is among the acts confirmed for this year's Guinness Cork Jazz Festival, running in the city over the October bank holiday.

Baker - who formed Cream with Eric Clapton and Jack Bruce and later played with Blind Faith - will perform at the Everyman Theatre.

The programme includes a return to Cork for saxophonist Jake Clemons, who went down a treat two years ago when he played with Bruce Springsteen in Pairc Uí Chaoimh.

Over 1,000 musicians from 18 countries are lined up to play the festival, including some of the top names in jazz, soul and funk including Dianne Reeves, Sharon Jones and Ed Cherry.

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The festival kicks off on Thursday, October 23rd, at Cork Opera House for the first of two concerts by Imelda May, followed by The Frank and Walters' 25th birthday show.

French film composer legend Michel Legrand will open the jazz-oriented programme at The Everyman on Friday, October 24th, in a powerful double bill with Detroit jazz diva Carla Cook.

The Triskel Christchurch venue will host several jazz and crossover artists, including June Tabor & Quercus, gypsy guitarist Lulo Reinhardt and Norwegian jazz star Hakon Kornstad.

Guinness commercial manager Michael Lyons said a fringe programme will include exhibitions, performances and workshops and street music from overseas marching bands.

"We also have the Cork Jazz Camp at the Cork School of Music which will see well known jazz educators performing workshops and master classes free of charge to all comers.

“It should be another hugely successful jazz festival and we are expecting up to 40,000 people to attend over 400 superb music sessions throughout the jazz weekend.”

For full details see guinnessjazzfestival.com

Barry Roche

Barry Roche

Barry Roche is Southern Correspondent of The Irish Times