Call for jazz walk of fame at festival launch
Details of the 30th annual festival were revealed last night at a special function in Cork Opera House where a call was made to create a Cork Jazz Walk of Fame, similar the one in Hollywood where famous stars have plaques dedicated to them embedded in the pavement.
This year’s festival features mix of performers including De La Soul, Beach House, Jean Toussaint and Natalie Williams. Renowned saxophonist Mr Toussaint, who will perform with Natalie Williams, said he was delighted to be back in Cork to launch the programme of events, which are expected to draw over 40,000 fans.
“The festival this year is set to be one of the best to date and I am looking forward to not only the performances, but also soaking up the atmosphere throughout the city over the weekend.”
He rose to fame playing with Art Blakey’s Jazz Messengers in the ’80s. After playing calypso, attended the Berklee College of Music, toured with an R&B band in 1979, and formed a quintet with Wallace Roney. After leaving the Jazz Messengers, he began teaching in London and has been based in the city since then, mostly playing with English musicians and gigging with Wynton Marsalis, McCoy Tyner, and the Gil Evans Orchestra.
Con Dennehy, chairman of the Cork County VFI, said the local authority, tourism bodies and Guinness owners Diageo, should look at establishing the jazz walk of fame on MacCurtain Street.
He said such legends as Ella Fitzgerald, George Shearing, Buddy Rich, Oscar Peterson, Dizzy Gillespie and Cleo Laine should be honoured. “I don’t believe that the cost of having this done would be prohibitive and, the benefits to the city would, in my opinion, far out-weigh any cost involved.”
Rory Sheridan of Diageo said the festival is now established as a highlight of Ireland’s flagship arts and culture calendar. “Year on year, the festival has grown and we are looking forward to another successful year.”
* www.guinnessjazzfestival.com
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