Your essential guide to this weekend's Cork Jazz Festival highlights
There’s no shortage of music options at the newly-expanded festival. selects some of the highlights for Saturday and Sunday.
SATURDAY
Cyprus Avenue, Saturday and Sunday, 1pm
The band of brothers play two early gigs at the Oliver Plunkett Street venue, with reduced prices for under 16s.
Triskel, 1pm
The legendary ECM label has taken over the Triskel for much of the weekend, with the Christchurch venue an ideal setting to perform music that often has at least one foot in the classical world. This afternoon concert features Anna Gourari and Zsófia Boros in a programme of solo and duo works specially devised for the ECM Weekend.
Everyman, 2.30pm
It must be a mixed blessing in the music world to be known as the ‘son of Thelonius Monk’, but the multi-talented drummer is highly respected in his own right. As well as drumming in his father’s quartet in the 1970s, TS has also played with the likes of Herbie Hancock and Wayne Shorter.
This decent-looking afternoon double bill also features the Bansangu Orchestra, a London-based ensemble.
An Bróg, 5pm
The popular ska covers band play tunes from bands such as The Specials, The Beat and The Clash at gigs on Saturday and Sunday.
One of the many venues putting on free music through the weekend.
City Hall, 8pm
The British singer headlines one of a number of major concerts at the City Hall, a new venue for the Guinness Cork Jazz Festival. Born in Birmingham, Mvula sang in church choirs, and the gospel influence has been apparent throughout her career. Her big break came in 2013 with Sing to the Moon, a debut album that was nominated for the Mercury Prize, and produced the hit single, ‘Green Garden’. She has played Electric Picnic and in Dublin before, but this will be Mvula’s first Cork gig.
Live at St Luke’s, 8pm
One of the non-jazz gigs at the festival, the melodious Wicklow trio seem to have found their niche with the move towards r’n’b of their debut album.
Everyman, 8pm
Another impressive double bill that will draw jazz fans to the MacCurtain Street venue. China Moses follows in the footsteps of her mother, Dee Dee Bridgewater, who played the same venue last year. The 40-year-old Californian is a powerful, soul and R&B singer and her output has included original material as well as covers of some of the classics. Her band in Cork will include highly-rated British pianist Ashley Henry.
Pablo Zeigler, on the other hand, promises the mouth-watering mix of styles that has been branded as ‘nuevo tango’. Basically, he takes the tango of his native Argentina, and infuses it with jazz and other influences. It’s been quite a year for Ziegler, who picked up his second Grammy in January when Jazz Tango won the prize for best Latin jazz album.
Triskel Christchurch, 8pm
Another ECM double-bill. Estonian-born Kristjan Randalu grew up in Germany and was originally classically-trained before leaning towards jazz after hearing Chick Coreas Inside Out album. He’ll be joined in Cork by American guitarist Ben Monder, and Finnish drummer Markku Ounaskari.
Argentinian bandoneon player Dino Saluzzi made quite an impression when he played the Cork festival back in 2013, and is sure to attract some of the people who were lucky enough to see that gig.
A world-class musician, Saluzzi is famous for putting a twist on the traditional tango sounds of his home country, and his backing band is very much a family affair, featuring Dino’s brother, son and nephew.
Green Room, Opera House, 11.45pm
Cork trombonist Paul Dunlea is the festival’s first artist in residence, and among his appearances over the weekend is this late-night gig with his quintet.
Opera House, midnight
Part of the festival’s eclectic non-jazz offering, for many revellers the Dublin pop duo will provide an ideal way to finish off the night’s fun.
SUNDAY
School of Music, 2pm
The Belfast-born trumpeter headlines a bill that also includes Frank Vignola’s Hot Jazz Guitar Trio.
Emmet Place, 1pm-6pm
Throughout the weekend, there will be free jazz in the afternoon on the plaza just by the Opera House. Wrap up well!
Triskel, 2.30pm
This young Leeds jazz-rock group have already been nominated for the Mercury Prize and hailed by Gilles Peterson. Their energetic sounds are sure to make for a lively Sunday afternoon at Triskel.
Everyman, 2.30pm
With six Grammy nominations under her belt, the Massachusetts-born vocalist has also branched out into theatrical work, and also had a residency in Las Vegas paying homage to Ray Charles. For this afternoon double bill, she’ll be preceded by saxophonist Donny McCaslin, the member of the Maria Schneider Orchestra who also played on David Bowie’s Blackstar album.
The MacCurtain Street hotel was where it all began back in 1978, and it still draws a big crowd for free daytime gigs, and ticketed late-night jazzin’ through the weekend.
City Hall, 8pm
Her Grammy awards include one for a collaboration with David Bowie, and her orchestra is jammed with a collection of brilliant musicians. “It’s not just about how great the soloists can play, and they can; they really have to carry the composition,” says the American composer.
“The musicians’ job is to create continuity, drama, expression and character, to bring the story to life, so that the audience really feels what I was feeling when I was writing the piece.”
Triskel Christchurch, 8pm
A delicious-looking double bill as part of the ECM weekender features the added bonus of Kit Downes playing on Triskel’s in-house pipe organ.
Tord Gustavsen is another man who likes to tap into sacred music, combining aspects of Norwegian hymns with cutting-edge jazz. He brings a new trio to Triskel.
Everyman, 8pm
The legendary bass player brings his distinctive playing style and fusion sounds to Cork for the first time. One of the most anticipated gigs of the weekend.
Dali 10.30pm
At times in recent years, the Cork festival probably hasn’t paid enough attention to some of the genre-melding acts that have emerged from the British club scene. Thankfully, it’s a gap that has been nicely filled this year. This has the potential of being one of the most enjoyable gigs of the festival, particularly if clubbing and dancing is more your bag than sitdown jazz. Nubiyan Twist mix their jazzy brass section with such genres as soul, afrobeat and hip-hop. Ideal for a late-night boogie.
Blue Lab Beats, meanwhile, offer a take on ‘jazztronica’ that is half a world away from their remix work for the likes of Dua Lipa and Rag’n’Bone Man.
Cork Opera House, midnight
Be warned that this is a DJ set, rather than the full-on orchestral accompaniment Greene has brought to the Marquee and other venues. It will feature a number of special guests, though, while visuals will be supplied by local outfit Generic People. The Sunday show is already sold out, but she’s also playing at 7pm on Monday.
HOMETOWN HEROES
Saturday, Cork Opera House, 7pm
The Skibbereen native established his reputation as Ireland’s king of soul back in 2016 with his Non-Fiction album. It spawned his catchy hit ‘Clap Both My Hands’, as well as other slabs of beauty such as ‘Call My Name’. Deady’s return to Leeside comes on the back of a follow-up long player, Black Diamond, recorded in a cave-house in Spain, and released in September.
There’s a bit more country in there than before, but longterm fans will still be happy.
Sunday, Cork Opera House, 7pm
Eoin French, aka Talos, is another Corkman making an impression beyond his native city. Earlier this week his band played Brixton Academy in London as support to Editors, part of a steady climb since the release of his Wild Alee album last year. In November, the former architect hits the road again, heading to the US. Expectations are already building his forthcoming second album, soon to be released via BMG.
CONNECT WITH US TODAY
Be the first to know the latest news and updates
