We want sax-imum exposure this weekend
When it comes to festivals, it’s often within the unexpected, stumbled upon moments that the real magic memories are forged.
As always, this year’s Guinness Cork Jazz Festival contains countless curiosities and boundless badly kept secrets, and with a line-up to die for, it’s definitely worth shining a light on some of the more ‘fringe’ events we can expect this long weekend.
First up is The Jazz Boat, a certified blues cruise though the scenic sights of Cork Harbour with music from 32 year old world-sensation Jerron ‘Blindboy’ Paxton from Compton, Los Angeles. Although Paxton has been legally blind since his teens, his ability to tap into traditional American music reveals a perceptiveness and focus that few others are able to achieve.
A gifted multi-instrumentalist who specializes in traditional, pre-World War II music, Paxton plays the fiddle, banjo, guitar, harmonica, and piano. There are only 70 tickets available for this 2 hour cruise, so those interested in setting sail are advised to book immediately. Tickets are available from eventbrite.ie for Sunday 30 October.
Back on dry land, the Jazz Bus will be doing laps of the city this Friday, Saturday and Sunday. The open top jazz mobile will be doing the rounds with a selection of this year's acts blasting tunes from the top deck for all to hear, whether they want to or not!
On Saturday and Sunday, a free presentation to help appreciate the value that music can add to one’s daily life will be presented by Dr Ian Darrington MBE on Daunt’s Square in the city centre.
On Sunday, all are invited to attend the celebratory and spiritual Harvest Jazz Service at St Anne’s (Shandon Bells) for a morning of jazz and joy featuring the Carrigtwohill Gospel Choir and Hyde Park Brass Band. This is a free event but tickets are required for entry. Tickets are available from St Anne’s and the Jazz Committee at info@corkchamber.ie.
At 5pm on Saturday, the public is invited to attend a farewell gathering for the festival’s visiting European bands on Opera House Plaza for a jam session featuring all the brass bands as they bid farewell to Cork and the festival for this year.
Over on North Main Street, a Cork/world premiere of African American fine art photographer Chuck Stewart’s new exhibition We Got the Jazz will be open to the public at St Peter’s Church on Friday, Saturday, Sunday and Monday. The exhibition is free to see from 11am-5pm each day. Each evening there will be an immersive ticketed experience that people are invited to attend with special performances from harpist Brandee Younger. Tickets are available from Eventbrite.ie.
Then there’s the Music Trail which incorporates 70 venues around the city and county where anything and everything jazz-related is likely to happen over the coming days. Festival goers can get the most from the experience by checking out the mapped Guinness Music Trail at guinnnesscorkjazz.com.
Speaking in the week building up to this year’s Jazz Fest, Festival Director Mark Murphy said this year’s bigger and better than ever programme is easily on par with jazz festivals from around the world.
“There’s pure jazz, soul, and fusions of jazz, R&B, house and hip-hop,” explained Mark.
“We have fun experiences like the Jazz Boat, brass bands popping up throughout the city, and the Jazz Music Trail. We also have immersive experiences like the We Got the Jazz Chuck Stewart Photo Exhibition at St Peters.
“Then bands like King Kong Company, one of Ireland’s top festival acts, are playing at Cork Opera House for those who want to mix it up. Cork really has something for everyone over the bank holiday weekend!”
The Guinness Cork Jazz Festival is supported by Diageo, Failte Ireland and Cork City Council. For full event information, visit guinnnesscorkjazz.com.