Sweet soul, classic reggae, and cutting-edge improvisation: 20 to see at Cork Jazz Festival
Clockwise from top-left: Sienna Spiro, Adrian Younge, The Sultans of Ping
Cork Opera House, Friday, Oct 24, 11.30pm*
The Californian veterans are marking 30 years since the release of their second album a record that gave us the classic track Dublin DJ Tu-Ki will be manning the decks beforehand.
Cork Opera House, Saturday, October 25, 11.30pm
After much praise from the right people, the talented Dublin rapper headed to the US to launch his debut album in 2018. Perhaps derailed somewhat by the pandemic, there’s still a sense the 32-year-old hasn’t quite fulfilled his potential but this late-night headline gig, and a support slot to Loyle Carner on his UK tour, will help him build momentum. Support is from emerging alt R&B artist Monjola.
Live At St. Luke’s, Sunday, Oct 26, 1.30pm
Spoken-word artist Williams joins forces with LA producer Niño (André 3000, etc) for what will likely be a left-of-centre offering that could also be filed in the ‘spiritual jazz’ section. Note the afternoon slot that will suit those with tired eyes or a busy night schedule.
Cyprus Avenue, Sunday, Oct 26, 7pm
The London-born, New-Ross raised rapper made an impact in the UK and beyond with his 2012 debut album Lonely Are The Brave. There’s obviously still a lot of love around for the 35-year-old as his Cork gig sold out well in advance of the festival.
The Everyman, Sunday, October 26
After the star-studded lineup of last year, real jazz fans heading to the 2026 festival have had to dig a little deeper before they made their bookings. Despite the absence of household names, there are still a few fine acts from the genre on this year’s roster, not least this Camden-raised saxophonist. The 34-year-old counts legends such as Sonny Rollins and John Coltrane among her inspirations but, like so many from the new wave of brilliant young jazz artists in the UK, also draws from such genres as reggae and R&B.
Triskel, Thursday, Oct 23, 8pm
the latest album by the British flautist, was produced by previous Cork visitor Matthew Halsall, and continues his dalliances with the revival of the meditative jazz sound that the Gondwana label and others have been championing.
Friday, Sept 24, 8pm
If you don’t fancy the edgier material and are a fan of the great jazz songbook, Dublin singer Stella Bass is a solid bet with her versions of songs made famous by the American legend. Of course, Fitzgerald herself sang some of those classics in Cork when she visited the festival in 1980.
Sunday, Oct 26, Triskel Arts Centre
The Tobin Street venue has a well-established relationship with the renowned European jazz label, and hosts three concerts for this year’s festival. First up is UK jazz vocalist Norma Winstone joining forces with Italian pianist Glauco Venier (2.30pm); followed by a trio led by Swiss pianist Colin Vallon (6.30pm); and rounded off with the Elina Duni and Rob Luft Quartet at 8.30pm.
Everyman, Friday, Oct 24
Presumably, when the festival booked the British singer a few months ago, she was seen very much as an emerging star. In the intervening period, the 19-year-old has very much made waves. Tracks such as Die On This Hill and You Stole The Show have been hanging around the UK charts, as well as chalking up plenty TikTok views. Jazz with a pop sensibility – dare we compare her to a young Adele?
Opera House, Friday, Oct 24, 6pm
The London funksters may have originally disbanded in 1974, but their classic hit, The Message, was heard for decades afterwards from cooler DJs and several hip-hop acts who sampled it. They reformed in 2012, and got around to recording a new album earlier this year.
Cork Opera House, Saturday, Oct 25, 6pm
A regular visitor to Cork, there’s a joke in there somewhere about how they named the popular riverside leisure area after him. The 74-year-old’s sound is one of classic soul, and he usually has an excellent band to help him deliver it. Support from Nigerian-Irish singer Toshín.
Sunday, Oct 26, 5.30pm
One of the gigs of the weekend? The Californian bass player has had a quality output through the years. His style has previously incorporated soul, hip-hop and jazz, while new album adds a Brazilian twist to the mix and even features a guest vocal from Snoop Dogg.
Cork Opera House, Sunday Oct 26, 7pm
The Mississippi family group offer an infectious mix of soul and gospel honed over many years by mother Annie, her daughters Deborah and Anjessica, and goddaughter Toni. Even the other members of the group are Caldwells – with Annie’s husband and two sons manning the instruments. Part of a double bill with Senegalese group Orchestra Baobab.
Cyprus Avenue, Saturday, Oct 25, 7pm
The Navan brothers Christy and Andy Leech have built a solid following in recent years, and it’s not surprising that their Cork appearance was an early sell-out.
Triskel, Saturday, October 25, 8.15pm
Holden may be familiar to dance-music aficionados as a top-quality DJ and producer from the British scene, while others may have heard his remixes for the likes of Madonna and Britney Spears. This project with Polish clarinetist Wacław Zimpel is a much more ambient affair. Expect lush, beatless soundscapes with Indian influences, and whatever else the duo cook up on the night as they work off each other in the former church.
Opera House, Sunday, Oct 26 11.55pm
The Detroit techno legend originally started this project with the late Nigerian drumming legend Tony Allen and keyboardist Jean–Phi Dary. Tabla virtuoso Prabhu Edouard has since joined the trio, and recent London gigs featured flautist Rasheeda Ali. You will hear beats, but it’s probably more of a mellow, head-nodding affair than an occasion for dancing. On the evidence of a superb concert in Camden last month witnessed by this writer, Cork audiences will get plenty improvisation along the way, making it a perfect fit for a modern jazz festival.
Cork City Hall, Saturday Oct 25, 7.30pm
Definitely not a jazz band, but the local heroes’ homecoming was the first gig to sell out for the bank holiday weekend. There’ll be an old-school reunion feel about the gathering, but the Sultans will remind they also have a fine back catalogue that goes way beyond Where’s My Jumper.
Live At St Luke’s, Saturday Oct 25, 7.30pm
The northside venue had previously hosted Lee ‘Scratch’ Perry, the late reggae legend who worked with The Congos on their magnificent 1977 album, Interestingly, the Jamaican group still perform with their original lineup, and they should expect a rousing Cork singalong when they perform their classic tune,
The Everyman, Saturday, Oct 25, 9.45pm
The dreadlocked singer hit the Top 10 of the Irish charts with in 2016. While he hasn’t hit those heights with subsequent releases, the Manchester artist has been plugging away with his accomplished love songs and is a really good live performer.
City Hall, Sunday, Oct 26, 1.30pm
The Rory Gallagher revival continues with a concert featuring long-soldiering tribute bands Deuce and Moonchild, as well as local blues-rockers Crow Black Chicken. And yes, it’s an afternoon affair.
Hopefully the weekend weather holds for a city-wide wander, with the Jazz Stage on the Opera House Plaza, Emmett Place, among the areas hosting free concerts. Otherwise, it’d be hard to escape the sound of jazz on the streets of Cork this weekend, particularly if you fancy the Oliver Plunkett Street Stroll on Friday 24th from 6.30pm, with all sorts of musicians playing along the pedestrianised thoroughfare.
- The times given here are mostly door times. Performances usually begin approximately 30 minutes later.
- Guinness Cork Jazz Festival takes place October 23-26. See guinnesscorkjazz.com
