Guinness Cork Jazz Festival officially launches full 2025 programme

The Guinness Cork Jazz Festival has officially launched its full 2025 entertainment programme, announcing a range of new local and international acts.

Now in its 47th year, the festival — which takes place from October 23-27 — will feature a world-class line-up that spans jazz, funk, soul, hip-hop, and electronic innovation.

Headliners already announced include Cymande, JP Cooper, Orchestra Baobab, Jeff Mills, The Pharcyde, and Sienna Spiro.

More acts for this year’s line-up were revealed at an official launch event yesterday, including American soul singer Lee Fields and The Expressions, who will be returning to Irish shores for the first time in five years; Nubya Garcia, a British jazz musician, saxophonist, composer, and bandleader; Elina Duni and Rob Luft Quartet, supported by Swiss Flugehorn player Matthieu Michel and British jazz drummer Corrie Dick; and modern contemporary jazz band Mås Exödus.

Tickets for the newly announced shows go on sale tomorrow from 10am, with organisers saying they have more to announce in the coming weeks.

Guinness Cork Jazz Festival director Mark Murphy said the event is “Ireland’s largest jazz festival, and a cultural institution”.

“Every year, Cork becomes the beating heart of jazz. But the festival has grown into so much more — a celebration of musical innovation and cultural energy,” said Mr Murphy.

Over five days, the festival will feature more than 500 musicians across 100 events in nearly 80 venues, from headline venues for ticketed shows to a free Guinness Music Trail.

The festival will also spill into the streets with surprise pop-up gigs, along with brass bands including The Big Fringe. The reach of the festival also extends to Douglas and Kinsale, making it a key cultural draw for both domestic and international visitors.

The Guinness Cork Jazz Festival has attracted more than 100,000 attendees in recent years, establishing itself as Ireland’s premier jazz event and the biggest city-based music festival.