Visitors to Cork city in Ireland are often amazed that, in a country which prides itself in tradition, culture and a fondness for all things Gaelic, the city has become the centre for one of the world's most avant garde festivals. A city which is the epitome of Irish history gives itself over entirely to an international music celebration for a full weekend.
One of the biggest jazz music events in the world is held in Cork city every year. It is always held on the long Bank holiday weekend at the end of October which gives three days and nights of official events but the music and festivities usually continue for most of the week. Last year almost 50,000 people attended to hear almost one thousand musicians of about thirty nationalities performing.
The festival is now in its 34th year and since its inception in 1978 more and more of the world's best jazz musicians have been coming there. Some of the greats who performed at Cork were Cleo Laine, Ella Fitzgerald and Dave Bubeck. Also George Shearing, Buddy Rich, Oscar Peterson, Dizzy Gillespie, Chick Corea and Stephan Grapelli have made appearances. These are just a few of the famous jazz musicians who have played in Cork. This is a testament to the status of the Cork Jazz Festival on the world stage.
There are over 80 venues throughout the city including concert halls, theatres, lounges, bars and hotels as well as on street music. The biggest venues are The Everyman Palace Theatre, The Cork Opera house, The Half Moon Theatre, The Granary, The Firkin Crane Theatre and The Metropole Hotel. These are the venues where the main events are held but many people prefer the smaller more intimate venues where the very interesting fringe events take place.
Although Jazz was considered mainstream, especially in America in the 1930s and 1940s it is very much a minority musical genre nowadays although it experienced a revival in the 60s and 70s with new experimentation and various mixtures of Jazz and Rock.
The city hosts many festivals throughout the year including The Arts Fest, The Cork Folk Festival, Cork Cycling Festival, The French Film Festival, The Cork International Choral Festival and many others but undoubtedly the Jazz Festival tops them all in the level of excitement, worldwide interest and business for the city.
Cork is looking forward to another exciting Jazz Festival in 2011. The dates for this years festival are October 28th - 31st. Despite the Irish and worldwide economic difficulties, the numbers of visitors is expected to match 2010 at least and festival goers are advised to book accommodation early to avoid disappointment.
One of the biggest jazz music events in the world is held in Cork city every year. It is always held on the long Bank holiday weekend at the end of October which gives three days and nights of official events but the music and festivities usually continue for most of the week. Last year almost 50,000 people attended to hear almost one thousand musicians of about thirty nationalities performing.
The festival is now in its 34th year and since its inception in 1978 more and more of the world's best jazz musicians have been coming there. Some of the greats who performed at Cork were Cleo Laine, Ella Fitzgerald and Dave Bubeck. Also George Shearing, Buddy Rich, Oscar Peterson, Dizzy Gillespie, Chick Corea and Stephan Grapelli have made appearances. These are just a few of the famous jazz musicians who have played in Cork. This is a testament to the status of the Cork Jazz Festival on the world stage.
There are over 80 venues throughout the city including concert halls, theatres, lounges, bars and hotels as well as on street music. The biggest venues are The Everyman Palace Theatre, The Cork Opera house, The Half Moon Theatre, The Granary, The Firkin Crane Theatre and The Metropole Hotel. These are the venues where the main events are held but many people prefer the smaller more intimate venues where the very interesting fringe events take place.
Although Jazz was considered mainstream, especially in America in the 1930s and 1940s it is very much a minority musical genre nowadays although it experienced a revival in the 60s and 70s with new experimentation and various mixtures of Jazz and Rock.
The city hosts many festivals throughout the year including The Arts Fest, The Cork Folk Festival, Cork Cycling Festival, The French Film Festival, The Cork International Choral Festival and many others but undoubtedly the Jazz Festival tops them all in the level of excitement, worldwide interest and business for the city.
Cork is looking forward to another exciting Jazz Festival in 2011. The dates for this years festival are October 28th - 31st. Despite the Irish and worldwide economic difficulties, the numbers of visitors is expected to match 2010 at least and festival goers are advised to book accommodation early to avoid disappointment.
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Visitors to Cork Jazz festival can book Hotels in Cork or Cork Bed and Breakfast at Stay in Cork