Pictured at the launch of the Guinness Cork Jazz Festival 2017 is saxophonist Gary Baus, Guinness Sponsorship Manager, Jennifer Gleeson, guitarist Brendan Ó Ruaidh and vocalist Colette Forde. Pic Michael Mac Sweeney/Provision

Cork's 40th Jazz festival is launched

SOME 40,000 people are expected in Cork as the Guinness Cork Jazz Festival celebrates 40 years in Cork.

The world famous celebration of jazz, funk, soul and pop is worth millions to the local economy.

A host of the biggest names in music will descend on Cork in one of the biggest celebrations of jazz in Europe, running from October 27 to 30 this year.

This year's line up includes Memphis jazz legend Dee Dee Bridgewater, Grammy award winner Kenny Garrett and the critically acclaimed Nicholas Payton & James Morrison, as well as home grown talent like Imelda May.

There will be a presentation of music from the biggest selling jazz album of all time: Miles Davis' 'Kind of Blue' with Gary Crosby's Nu Troop, while Cork Opera House will welcome the likes of the Booka Brass Band and King Kong Company.

To mark the 40-year milestone, the Guinness Cork Jazz Festival has also partnered with Ronnie’s Scott’s Jazz Club of Soho which is a first for any jazz festival in Europe.

Ronnie Scott’s will operate a pop-up jazz club at the Festival Club in the Metropole Hotel which will feature many Irish and overseas musicians, and the ‘Ronnie Scott’s All Stars’ band will play The Everyman on Sunday afternoon.

The Triskel will host a number of jazz events, keeping up the work done throughout the year by the venue.

Multi-award winning jazz pianist Michael Wollny, Irish quintet Notify, while Quercus also makes a long-overdue return to the venue.

Dozens of free events will take place in more than 70 venues in the city, as well as on street performers and a free, open air concert from Brian Deady and Paddy Casey.

For details on events, see https://www.guinnessjazzfestival.com/.