People behind the Jazz: Chairperson of Guinness Cork Jazz Festival tell us why she'd recommend volunteering

Thursday, October 26, 2017

Guinness

Meet Fiona Collins, the chairperson of Guinness Cork Jazz Festival Committee.

After seeing an Irish Examiner article calling for volunteers, Bandon woman Fiona began volunteering for the festival in her late 20s.

“Basically just to get out, listen to some jazz and meet other jazz enthusiasts.” As a volunteer ambassador, Fiona was always conscious of the festival’s friendly reputation. “I did anything from giving directions to looking after bands. Tony O’Neill brought me onto the committee. I loved the Guinness Cork Jazz Festival – it was an honour to be invited to help organise it.”

1.What does the Guinness Cork Jazz Festival mean to you personally?

A ferocious amount – I’ve huge personal investment in the festival. It’s a volunteer role – I don’t get paid but I invest a lot of time and effort making sure it’s as successful as possible. Promoting Cork’s hugely important to me. The Guinness Cork Jazz Festival is very much entwined with the story of Cork. You couldn’t have one without the other. The Guinness Cork Jazz Festival adds a huge amount to the cultural calendar and the festival needs Cork for many reason, one being that it is a unique easy city to walk around in – you can walk to most of the venue

2.What message would you have for those thinking about joining the Jazz festival fun in Cork?

Just get out there. All the information’s on the festival website, www.guinnessjazzfestival.com. Take a look – see what catches your eye. Experience the Guinness Cork Jazz Festival and Cork hand-in-hand. If you walk down Oliver Plunkett Street or McCurtain Street, you get a sense of it without even going into the venues. Get out during the day – it’s not just about going out at night, it’s about getting into the city and experiencing the atmosphere. Catch the photo exhibition from the late Bill Johnson in the Metropole. He was a member of the committee and amateur photographer and he captured photo-memories of the festival through the years.

3.What event or act are you looking forward to most at this year’s festival?

There’s a long list: the Miles Davis experience in the Everyman, King Kong Company – a late gig in the Opera House – not well known but something different. The New York Brass Band is coming from England and will be parading the streets of Cork over the festival weekend. They’ve participated in the festival for the past few years. They’ve got such a good Cork following – it’s great to see them back. There’s the jazz service in St Anne’s Shandon. St John’s Gospel Choir and the New York Brass Band play there for a Thanksgiving ceremony at 10.45am on Sunday. It’ll be jazz and some gospel. We do it every year – it’s a lovely service, very popular. Tickets go quickly.

4.Do you have a standout Jazz festival memory from years gone by?

When Herbie Hancock played in the Everyman, I got to sit backstage and listen. It was amazing – he was 10 feet away from me. There’s something special about being backstage – just being so close to him and hearing the audience appreciation of him. You get to hear what he hears. It was a fabulous concert.

5. If you had to highlight one venue that any Jazz festival newbie should experience what would it be?

It depends on what the newbie’s looking for. For me, the Metropole’s special. It’s the home of the jazz – where it all started 40 years ago. There’s a very special line-up this year including Ronnie Scott’s special jazz room. It’s one of six stages in the Metropole over the Guinness Cork Jazz weekend. You get a flavour of all sorts of jazz in one venue, from big band to more serious – there’s something to cater for all tastes. The Metropole’s the place to be seen – people get dressed up and go all out. For a Guinness Cork Jazz Festival newbie who wants to experience a bit of everything, the Metropole’s the place to go.

6. How will you spend the Jazz festival?

Working! As chair, I’ll be trying to get around to the different venues. I’ll be getting a feel for what’s around, a feel for the city and the atmosphere and for what’s happening. I’ll be getting a sense of what people are liking and making sure everything’s running to schedule. The four days will fly.

7. Finally, looking ahead ten years do you believe the jazz festival will still be going strong?

Absolutely! There’s a big grá for the festival in Cork and nationally. It’s a hugely important festival and it’s lasted 40 years. It’ll definitely be here in 10 years.

Full details for the Guinness Cork Jazz Festival can be found www.guinnessjazzfestival.com.

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