The 46th annual Guinness Cork Jazz Festival officially kicked off in style this evening, with an electrifying opening event at the 85 Years of Blue Note Exhibition at St Peters. Attended by 150 festival supporters, the evening marked the start of Ireland’s biggest jazz celebration, promising five days of world-class music, soul, and exciting performances.
The Guinness Cork Jazz Festival 2024 features world-class international jazz greats mixed with rising Irish talent and artists pushing the boundaries of the genre. Gregory Porter, Mary Coughlan, Buena Vista All Stars, Les Amazones d’Afrique, and Le Boom feature alongside Hot Chip, Kean Kavanagh, Gaby Moreno, the X Collective, among many others.
In a delightful surprise, Grammy-winning jazz artist Gregory Porter made a special appearance at the launch event ahead of his sold-out show at Cork Opera House.
This year’s festival will see over 500 artists performing over 100 events across 99 venues, with 100,000 attendees expected over the weekend. As MC Stevie G said, “It’s not just music, it’s a €45 million boost to our local economy.” From its humble beginnings at the Metropole Hotel 46 years ago the Guinness Cork Jazz Festival has grown to become the city’s biggest and most anticipated event of the year.
Colin Kenny, Head of Commercial South West, Diageo Ireland, festival sponsors, said “This year’s program, under the brilliant guidance of Festival Director Mark Murphy, continues to push boundaries and attract world-class talent”. He also thanked the festival committee, chaired by Fiona Collins, for their dedication in organizing the iconic Big Fringe, which will feature free jazz performances all weekend on the streets of Cork. “The possibilities are endless for the Guinness Cork Jazz Festival. We’re committed to its success and making it one of the best music festivals in Europe.”
The event also launched the 85 Years of Blue Note Exhibition at St Peters, an immersive tribute to the iconic jazz label, hosted in partnership with The Record Hub and Choicecuts. The Free exhibition and the first-ever Irish pop-up store, open until Monday, showcases Blue Note’s legendary history.
With the festival now officially underway, attendees can look forward to a packed schedule of performances, including headline shows, street performances, pub jazz trails, and unique experiences like the Jazz Boat.
Tickets are on sale at www.guinnesscorkjazz.com, which is packed with all the information and latest news that festival goers need. Or follow the festival on @guinnesscorkjazz #GuinnessCorkJazz. The Guinness Cork Jazz Festival is supported by Diageo, Fáilte Ireland, Cork City Council and Cork Airport. For more on the festival or to book tickets see GuinnessJazzfestival.com. Read the new digital brochure here.
