Jazz festival keeps hitting all the wrong notes

I have just returned from my annual visit to the Cork Jazz Festival.

I have been coming now for nearly 20 years and in that time I have seen many great musicians and made many friends in the city of Cork.

However, I have to ask myself how much longer will I make the trip.

Over the last three to five years the standard of jazz (or the lack of it), and the obvious lack of interest shown by sponsors (who put their name on anything they can that is connected to the Cork Jazz Festival), has now in my opinion reached rock bottom.

It was even difficult to find any of the fine Irish jazz musicians who are normally there in force.

Most worrying was the decision of the Metropole Hotel to “do it’s own thing” and fill the hotel with every type ofmusic.

I am also mystified why the Guinness press machine keeps on saying in the media that the weekend is still attracting 40,000 visitors. I can’t see how this could be true.

The drop in numbers must be affecting the already hard-pressed economy and it could, I suggest, be time for Cork City Council to take more of an interest and get involved with the organising committee to bring the festival back to where it belongs.

So, come on Cork, let’s get the show back on track.

I do so much want to keep coming to visit.

Ray Cottrell

Chester Green

Derby

England