From pure jazz to pop and dance music: 18 highlights of Guinness Cork Jazz Festival
The Guinness Cork Jazz Festival takes place on the weekend of Oct 26-29, 2023, with highlights taking in all sorts of genres.
Manchester-based trumpeter, bandleader and record label owner who fuses late 60s/early 70s American “spiritual jazz” with more contemporary beats, samples and sequencing – to heady and winning effect. He plays gigs on Friday night and Saturday afternoon.
A series of gigs in the performance space on Half Moon Street, featuring leading Irish acts Paul Dunlea (with an all-star sextet), Romanian-born folk-jazz vocalist Aleka, and a five-show residency by Cork soulstress Karen Underwood.
Classically trained and in-demand New York harpist whose unique blend of jazz, soul, gospel, Latin and pop is transporting and utterly irresistible.
Preternaturally gifted young Brazilian pianist and his trio; phenomenal technique, high-intensity rhythms, joyous music. Expect standing ovations.
A stellar ECM double bill featuring innovative Israeli-born, New York-based tenor sax innovator Tzur (with the great Johnathan Blake on drums) and protean Polish pianist Wasilewski.
The festival has catered for an increasingly broad range of tastes in recent years.
Doomy drone rock that draws on both traditional and experimental music. This supergroup features Katie Kim, Radie Peat of Lankum, Eleanor Myler from Percolator and producer John Murphy. The Cork gig doubles as a launch party for their debut album, Cyrm, released the following day.
This “alternative” rap group from Los Angeles are best known for their intricate grooves and intelligent lyrics – and for hits such as 'Runnin’ and 'Passin’ Me By'.
Emerging during the glory days of the 1990s trip-hop scene, Morcheeba are acclaimed for singles such as 'The Sea' and 'Trigger Hippie'. Today, the former trio is slimmed to the duo of singer Skye Edwards and producer Ross Godfrey.
He may play a smattering of solo stuff, but the set will be mostly made up hits from his old band Spandau Ballet. Tunes such as 'True', 'Gold' and 'To Cut a Long Story Short' have stood the test of time.
Energetic Dublin indie band, whose forthcoming debut album is produced by troubadour James Vincent McMorrow.
From straight-up house music, to other genres that dip into jazz, there’s an impressive roster of decent DJs playing in Cork at the weekend.
The 2fm broadcaster is a regular visitor to Cork, occasionally even bringing an orchestra. This time around it’ll be just her and her pumping dance sounds.
Cork Harbour Cruises host a musical trip around the harbour.
Expect an eclectic mix of top sounds from the veteran northern English duo. Hip-hop, soul, reggae, afro, etc.
With an 11pm kick-off, this event is ideal for anyone looking for a late-night wiggle. Johnson is one half of veteran duo Fish Go Deep, and will be rolling out the quality house sounds. Behan, a stalwart of the Bastardo Electrico events, will be more techno-based.
The last time Peterson joined the musical dots in the Rebel County was for the Takes A Village event in Trabolgan in the pre-covid era. The world may have changed since then, but you can be sure the BBC 6 stalwart will still roll out an impressive genre-jumping set.
There are several matinee gigs scheduled in various venues, but hopefully the weather will hold for the free outdoor performances around the city. These include:
The long pedestrianised street is the ideal location for the marching bands to strut their stuff.
The Super Dome Jazz Stage has again been erected Emmett Place, near Cork Opera House. Free live music through Saturday and Sunday afternoons.
The Blarney Concert Band play light and popular music in the city-centre square on Saturday and Sunday from 3.30pm.
- For a full timetables, see https://guinnesscorkjazz.com
