Fears for jazz festival after director’s shock exit

The head of jazz at the CIT Cork School of Music has expressed fears for the future direction of the city’s jazz festival following the sudden departure of its director. John O’Connor, the head of department of pop, jazz, trad, voice, and theatre studies at the CIT Cork School of Music, said he was “shocked and saddened” to learn of Sinéad Dunphy’s departure just a year into her role.

Mr O’Connor said he has been involved in the festival since its inception 40 years ago, primarily its educational aspect, as a partner in a major project involving young musicians from the School of Music.