Eclectic line-up at Cork Jazz Festival

Arthur’s Day may be done and dusted, but another Guinness-sponsored music event is not far off

Arthur’s Day may be done and dusted, but another Guinness-sponsored music event is not far off. The annual Guinness Cork Jazz Festival will run from October 26th-29th and features a number of acts – not just jazz acts either – on its 2012 programme. Beach House, De La Soul, Cathy Davey, The Walls, The Hot 8 Brass Band, Prince Fatty with Hollie Cook, and Hypnotic Brass Ensemble are amongst the eclectic line-up. Of course, the jazz community is equally well represented.

Some international names on this year’s bill include Miles Smiles (who plays a double-bill with drumming wunderkind Chris Dave), Roy Hargrove Quintet, Phronesis, Christine Tobin and Anna Maria Jopek.

A fringe festival will run alongside the main event, with free shows such as Beat on the Street (a display of Europe’s best marching bands) and many other events taking place in the city’s libraries, churches, bars and arts centres.

Cork Jazz Camp has workshops with the likes of pianist Jason Rebello, sax musician Jean Toussaint, vocalist Natalie Williams and guitarist Hugh Buckley. It will run at the Cork School of Music at Union Quay over the weekend. guinnessjazzfestival.com

Lauren Murphy

Lauren Murphy

Lauren Murphy is a freelance journalist and broadcaster. She writes about music and the arts for The Irish Times