Sax and the city: Bono set to jazz it up with the throng
The festival, which features more than 1,000 musicians from 36 countries, is expected to pump in excess of €20 million into the local economy.
Bono is understood to be planning to attend a headline gig on Sunday night by one of his musical heroes, the legendary jazz vocalist Jimmy Scott, with whom he has collaborated. It is widely expected that this will be Scott’s last performance in Ireland.
Scott headlines the festival at the Everyman on Sunday.
Other top acts featuring across the weekend include Courtney Pine, Joe Lovano, the Mingus Dynasty Band, Randy Weston, Kurt Elling, Benny Golson and Branford Marsalis.
Sax supremo Marsalis arrived in the city on Wednesday and was literally getting into the swing of things yesterday.
He enjoyed a round of golf at Fota Island with festival chairman Bill Johnson ahead of his sell-out concert at the Everyman tonight.
The Harlem Gospel Choir will perform tonight at the Cork Opera House.
Jazz big-band, the all-star Joe Lovano Nonet from New York will make their Irish debut at the Opera House over the weekend.
The Firkin Crane hosts the famous US pianist Randy Weston and several master classes and workshops, while the Triskel has an impressive series of five concerts including a special Samuel Beckett tribute from the noted Irish/Swiss composer Christy Doran.
The Guinness Festival Club at the Gresham Metropole Hotel is at the heart of the music action, with six jazz stages giving fans a choice of world-class talent, day and night.
Attractions will include Catia & Carlos with the Boys from Brazil, Ben Water’s Boogie Band, Vincent Herring Quintet, the Juke Joints from Holland, Carmina and the Shape Jazz Orchestra from Brussels.
The Guinness Music Trail will offer a wide range of jazz and music, mostly free of charge, in more than 70 pubs, clubs and other venues throughout the city.
And artist-in-residence, New York drummer Sherrie Maricle, is to host numerous workshops with students at UCC and the Cork School of Music.
*corkjazzfestival.com
