Eclectic line-up of acts announced for Guinness Cork Jazz Festival

The first raft of acts have been announced for this year’s Guinness Cork Jazz Festival, which will take place at venues across the city over the October bank holiday weekend.

The Guinness Cork Jazz Festival has attracted top-tier artists and their fans to Leeside for almost five decades, and is known for combining electrifying performances from jazz legends with statement sets from contemporary standardbearers and trendsetters — with Damon Albarn, Macy Gray, Kamasi Washington, and De La Soul among those to have played the festival over the years.

This year follows on from that tradition, with a host of top international and Irish acts joining the programme.

Veteran British funk group Cymande, who earlier this year released Renascence, their first new album in a decade, will make their debut at the festival when they play the Cork Opera House at 6pm on Friday, October 24.

Known for his hit soulful singles including September Song and She’s on My Mind, English singer-songwriter JP Cooper will take to the stage of The Everyman on October 25.

Wexford singer-songwriter and rapper Maverick Sabre will play two gigs at Cyprus Avenue on October 26, while Senegalese band Orchestra Baobab — known for their blend of West African and Afro Cuban music — play the Cork Opera House the same day.

Another highlight will be a late-night performance by Los Angeles hip-hop group The Pharcyde, who are this year marking the 30th anniversary of their seminal album Labcabincalifornia, at the Cork Opera House on October 24.

Other acts on the impressive festival line-up include British rising voice Sienna Spiro, poet and activist Saul Williams alongside acclaimed Andre 3000 producer Carlos Niño, techno DJ and producer Jeff Mills with the project Tomorrow Comes the Harvest, Norwegian jazz house act Dublon, and electronic producer Ross From Friends with his Bubble Love set.

Once again there will be a strong Irish offering at the festival with acts including Dublin rapper Khakikid, electronic duo Le Boom, and Nigerian/Irish singer Tolü Makay, and other soulful newcomers and powerful Irish voices including God Knows, Zaska, Winnie Ama, Toshín, Melina Malon, TBL8 Brass, Projective, Syano, Smithereens, Lavery, CamrinWatsin, and community favourite Mo Cultivation and Friends.

On top of ticketed events and performances at venues including the Cork Opera House, Live at St Luke’s, The Kino, The Everyman, Cyprus Avenue, and Triskel Arts Centre, the Guinness Music Trail will feature free live performances at almost 80 venues across the city and surrounding areas. There will also be street performances, pop-up gigs, and The Big Fringe.

Festival director Mark Murphy said: “The Guinness Cork Jazz Festival is more than an event, it’s a legacy and a culture.

“We’re thrilled to bring another great line-up to Cork this October, and with even more exciting announcements still to come, we can’t wait to share what’s in store!”

Rory Sheridan, head of partnerships for Diageo Guinness, was delighted to continue the long partnership with the Guinness Cork Jazz Festival: “This iconic festival brings people together through incredible music, culture, and community spirit, values that are at the heart of Guinness. We look forward to another unforgettable October weekend in Cork.”

Colin Hindle, head of festivals and events at Fáilte Ireland, said they were pleased to support the Guinness Cork Jazz Festival: “Festivals and events present an excellent opportunity to showcase the rich heritage and unique culture that Ireland has to offer. They are also important drivers of tourism revenue across the country.”

• Tickets go on sale from Thursday at 10am on https://guinnesscorkjazz.com.