Ballydehob Jazz Festival has against all the odds this year rolled out another outstanding festival programme featuring some of Irelands finest contemporary Jazz artists.
May Bank Holiday Weekend ( 30th April – 3rd May)
While we will not be taking to the streets this May Bank Holiday Weekend or piling into venues to watch live music , Ballydehob Village have been working hard to plan events so we can celebrate the Community, the Art and the Music that makes this the best small festival in the West!
Last year BJF, which has been running since 2007, had to go online and like all of Ireland, the streets went quiet.
“It’s been the strangest, toughest year in anyone’s living memory and we’re still not out of it yet, but the show must go on. We had to ask ourselves what we can do to keep musicians and artist going. Not to mention to bring a bit of life back to the streets, “
Joseph O’Leary, Ballydehob Jazz Festival Director.
On the 1st ,2nd and 3rd of May at 8pm each night Ballydehob “The Little Village with the Festive Heart” is getting ready to Jazz it up in a virtual kind of way .
A very special concert series performed right here in the heart of the village, in our newly revamped Community Hall will be streamed online via the Ballydehob Jazz Festival’s You Tube Channel. Performances from ReDivider with Matthew Jacobson on Drums who been called "one of the most dynamic forces in Irish jazz, on and off the stage" by the Irish Times. Cuar, an Irish Chamber Music ensemble led by Neil O’Lochlainn, The Cormac McCarthy Sextet , and festival favourites Niwel Tsumbu and Eamonn Cagney ( with very special and much loved guest singer Camila Griehsel).
And to top it all off, a Headline Concert like we have never staged before. The world premiere of Loch Trasna (The RoaringWater Suite), an original piece of music commissioned by the BJF and written by Paul Dunlea, acclaimed Cork based trombonist and composer. The new suite, in 4 movements, is inspired by the extraordinary efforts and courage of local men and women of The Mizen Peninsula and West Cork during the War of Independence. Performing with Paul will be four of Ireland's finest improvising jazz musicians - Chris Engel - Sax, Chris Guilfoyle - Guitar, Dan Bodwell – Bass, Matthew Jacobson – Drums.
In The Village
And it’s not all online! Phew. Ballydehob Jazz Festival has partnered with Working Artist’s Studios, the Local Art Centre to create family creativity packs filled with all the materials to make your own JAZZ decorations ( including a stained glass design) which will be used to decorate the Village Windows throughout the weekend Contact to pick up your pack (Donations Welcome)
Continuing on this year’s theme of Roaring Water Bay.. as well as arts participation in the community, a new Village Wall Mural has been commissioned by BJF and created by Cork Artist Anthony Ruby. It draws inspiration from Ballydehob and Roaring Water Bay, and will be unveiled on a village wall over the May Bank Holiday Weekend.
A Photography Exhibition showcasing images from previous years Ballydehob Jazz Festivals, captured by local photographers, Jason Lee & RT Breathnach will be displayed across the village over the weekend, accessible to all. (FREE).
Concert Ticket Information : All Music Concerts will available for Ticket Holders to view via the Ballydehob Jazz Festival You Tube Channel, premiering from 8pm each night ( Friday, Saturday, Sunday).
Tickets ON SALE, SAT 17th April 2021 on www.ballydehobjazzfestival.org.
Price is a Donation of your choice ( Suggested Donation €15 per night / €30 for weekend ( includes 3 nights, 5 concerts).
The May Bank Holiday Weekend events are hopefully just the beginning for the Ballydehob Jazz Festival, as public health restrictions ease, the BJF plans on presenting an outdoor contemporary dance piece. We also have been looking at ways of presenting our annual Ballydehob Jazz Festival Jazz Funeral later in the year. It’s of the great importance to us that we celebrate and honour the lives of all those lost throughout the last year and give them the send off they deserve.
The Ballydehob Jazz Festival is made possible by the support of Cork Co Co and Cork County Arts, Pure Cork, The Arts Council of Ireland, Local Businesses & and a vibrant community that cannot be kept down.
Connect with Ballydehob Jazz Festival
Website: www.ballydehobjazz.org
Facebook: www.facebook.com/BallydehobJazzFest
Instagram: www.instagram.com/ballydehobjazzfestival
