Cork Jazz Festival gets into full swing this weekend

A free open-air gig outside the Opera House kicked off the 34th annual Guinness Cork Jazz Festival, which is expected to attract 40,000 fans to the city this bank-holiday weekend.

More than 1,200 musicians from 20 countries will perform hundreds of sessions in over 60 pubs, clubs, theatres, and hotels citywide.

Music fans thronged the plaza outside the Opera House last night to enjoy Ham Sandwich and Picture This, who will perform more gigs over the weekend.

This year’s festival includes myriad events such as the Jazz Fringe, which features free attractions all over the city including big band jazz, Jazz on the Plaza, and street bands.

Today six overseas marching bands will be part of the ever-popular parade that will make its way through the streets.

Music fans can also look out for hundreds of Guinness Music Trail sessions, with no charge for more than 95% of these.

Performers include Ben Waters Boogie Band, Interskalactic, the New York Brass Band, Holland’s Oriental Jazz Band, Jack L, Riptide Movement, Cathy Davey, and Rob Strong.

La Ripaille à Sons kicking off the @CorkJazzFest weekend outside the @MetropoleCork on @MacStTraders this afternoon! #CorkJazzFest pic.twitter.com/8SJEXPgVRJ

— Richard Conachey (@RichySpeedbird) October 28, 2016

Meanwhile, Cork School of Music will play host to a Jazz Camp during the festival, featuring numerous free workshops and masterclasses, presented by many of the stars of the festival.

Widely acknowledged as one of Europe’s premier Jazz festivals, the Guinness Cork Jazz Festival has previously attracted some of the biggest names in the genre.

There were rave reviews last night for US piano star, Justin Kauflin, who performed at the Everyman in a powerful double bill with contemporary jazz star Jacob Collier.

Other jazz sensations headlining at the festival include Grammy winner Robert Glasper, top US vibist Jason Marsalis, Sheryl Bailey, the Hot Club of Cowtown, and Kurt Rosenwinkel.

When you go drop off flyers for a client and bump into this. #corkjazzfest #CORKJazz #design #CorkCity #loveCork pic.twitter.com/mqiQk6MrCG

— Pop Up Ireland (@PopUp_Ireland) October 28, 2016

Guinness Cork Jazz manager Gemma Bell said she’s looking forward to yet another great event: “The line-up is outstanding from the likes of American jazz pianist and record producer Robert Glasper to Irish singer-songwriter Cathy Davey and, for the first time, we were incredibly proud to be kicking things off with an open air gig.”

Festival-goers will be able to avail of late-night buses at 1am, 2am and 3am from the city to Ballincollig, Blarney, Carrigaline, and Midleton.

Why can't every day start like this? (🎥 by Agnieszka Pietrucha) #corkjazzfest #CORKJazz #GuinnessCorkJazz #jazzin #CorkCity pic.twitter.com/PQRyb23hVg

— Yay Cork (@yaycork) October 28, 2016

Single journey fares cost €3 to Douglas, Bishopstown, Glanmire, Glounthaune, Blackpool, Mayfield, and Farranree; €5 to Ballincollig, Carrigaline, Carrigtwohill, Blarney and Cloghroe; and €8 to Midleton.

Web: guinnessjazzfestival.com

Facebook: facebook.com/ cork-jazz-festival

Twitter: @corkjazzfest