Gregory Porter, Kamasi Washington, Seun Kuti, and the Buena Vista All Stars are among the top performers announced for this year’s Guinness Cork Jazz Festival, running from Thursday 24th to Monday 28th October 2024, over the October bank holiday weekend. Tickets will be available from Friday 31st May on guinnesscorkjazz.com. But these acts are just the beginning of what promises to be the festival’s biggest and most exciting edition yet!
Also confirmed are a wide variety of incredible performers, including West African legends Orchestra Baobab and Malian duo Amadou and Mariam, who will debut their latest track Mogolu. Jazz fans can look forward to a tribute to Alice Coltrane by Alina Bzhezhinska, alongside renowned keyboardist Brian Jackson, who worked closely with Gil Scott-Heron. Newcomer Takuya Kuroda will showcase his fresh approach to jazz trumpet, and powerhouse group Les Amazones d’Afrique will bring their unique energy. The Staples Jr. Singers will offer uplifting soul, and Ireland’s own Mary Coughlan will celebrate 40 years of music with her signature blend of jazz and blues. Cork City Hall will play host to Jenny Greene & Special Guests, as well as Mack Fleetwood, curated by Tom Keating.
The festival will also feature swing performances by Luke Thomas and Una Healy, along with masterclasses, podcasts, and workshops led by jazz students from the Cork School of Music. The event, running for over 46 years, has steadily built a reputation as a must-attend celebration of music, bringing together world-renowned artists and passionate fans. Known for its diverse mix of jazz legends and emerging talent, the festival has grown to become the largest music celebration in Ireland.
The 2023 edition set new records, drawing over 100,000 attendees to Cork City and hosting more than 500 musicians across 100 events in over 80 venues. This year’s festival is set to top that, with an even larger programme of ticketed events and performances from both Irish and international musicians. It’s shaping up to be an unmissable event for music lovers of all kinds!
