Kurt Elling, Martha Reeves and The Vandellas, Mica Paris, and a live orchestral rendition of Dr Dre’s classic hip-hop album 2001 were some of the highlights of the 42nd Guinness Cork Jazz Festival over the weekend.

Youngsters from the Cork Music Generation joining the New York Brass Band to play Daft Punk’s ‘Get Lucky’ on the open-air stage in Emmet Place encapsulated an unofficial theme for this year’s Guinness Cork Jazz festival: The international musical connections the festival has built up over its 40-year history.

A party atmosphere kicked off the Guinness Cork Jazz Festival when large crowds thronged a free open-air concert, signalling the start of celebrations for the festival’s 40th birthday.

OZ-BUS, the overland service between London and Sydney, is back with a July 4 departure and the company says half of the seats for the trip are still available.