The 2018 Guiness Cork Jazz Festival begins on Thursday 25 October and will feature over 30 performances, a Festival Music Trail, a Fringe Festival, and a series of events in association with ECM Records.

This year is the 41st edition of the festival, and the first with new Festival Director Sinéad Dunphy, who took on the role in February 2018. It is also the first year to feature an Artist in Residence, trombonist and composer Paul Dunlea.

Dunlea will pair with guitarist David O’Rourke – with whom he released the Fraternal album in 2015 – in a late concert on 27 October at The Green Room at Cork Opera House at 10pm, followed by a concert of his own music with his Septet at 11.45pm.

Headline acts for the festival include Vieux Farka Touré (25 Oct, Cyprus Avenue); The Blind Boys of Alabama (26 Oct, Cork City Hall); Laura Mvula (27 Oct, Cork City Hall); China Moses (27 Oct, Everyman Theatre); and the Maria Schneider Orchestra (28 Oct, 8pm).

The festival also features a number of established an emerging Irish jazz and indie artists, such as Umbra (26 Oct, The Green Room), Soulé (26 Oct, Cyprus Avenue), Wyvern Lingo (27 Oct, Live At St Luke’s) and Talos (28 Oct, Cork Opera House).

Music Trail
As well as the main acts, a Music Trail will see short performances throughout the festival at over 40 venues such as the Oliver Plunkett and the Clayton Hotel, while a Fringe Festival includes events such as an audiovisual commission by David Duffy at St Luke’s, and a Live at the Library series of talks at Cork City Library. 

Triskel Arts Centre will also host their annual ECM Weekend, marking their 40th anniversary with contemporary jazz events produced in collaboration with the record label, including a screening of Werner Herzog’s 2001 film Invincible, and performances from Anna Grouai with Zsófia Boros, Kristjan Randalu with the Dino Saluzzi Group, and Kit Downes with Tord Gustavsen Trio.

For the full line-up and tickets, visit www.guinessjazzfestival.com.