The stage is set.

The biggest party in Cork’s social calendar is about to kick off on Leeside as the Guinness Cork Jazz Festival and The Big Fringe deliver another unforgettable week of world-class music.

As well as headliner performances from stars like Gregory Porter, Mary Coughlan, Buena Vista All Stars, Les Amazones d’Afrique, De La Soul, Todd Terje, Hypnotic Brass Ensemble, Takuya Kuroda, and Hot Chip, jazz will take centre stage on the streets of Cork over the October Bank Holiday Weekend as The Big Fringe returns for a booming line-up of free music and exciting performances to complement the main ticketed shows.

Photo: Darragh Kane

While main stage venues include The Everyman, Cork Opera House, The Metropole Hotel, Live @ St. Luke’s, St. Peter’s Church, Cyprus Avenue, KINO, Triskel Arts Centre and Cork City Hall, you can also take a Jazz Stroll on Oliver Plunkett Street, catch marching brass bands in the streets, enjoy music Live at the Library or atop the Big Jazz Bus, and sit in on jam sessions.

The Big Fringe, organised by the Cork Jazz Festival Committee, is a key part of the festival’s charm. The free program is filled with spontaneous jazz moments, brass bands, and impromptu performances.

Photo: Darragh Kane

Don’t miss the Jazz Stroll on Oliver Plunkett Street on Friday 25th from 6.30pm, which will see national and international brass bands stroll down the iconic street, kicking off the weekend with a joyous explosion of sound, and the Jazz Festival History Walking Tour with local historian Ronan Leonard, a  90-minute tour covering cover various venues, legendary gigs and memories.

The expanded jazz music trail will offer free performances in 72 pubs and clubs throughout the city.

This year’s Big Fringe highlights include:

• A Jazz Stroll on Oliver Plunkett (Friday 25th from 6.30pm)
• Jazz on the Plaza Super Dome stage at Emmet Place
• Beat on the Street impromptu street performances
• Talks, presentations, performances and exhibition at Live at the Library at the Rory Gallagher Music Library at Cork City Library.
• The Big Jazz Bus
• Jazz Gospel Service at St. Anne’s Church in Shandon (St. Anne’s Church in Shandon, Sunday, October 27th at 10:45am)
• A Touch of Blarney featuring Cork’s very own Blarney Brass & Reed Band.
• Jazz Jamboree at the Opera House Plaza
• Electronic Music Council events at Liquid Lounge
• Jazz Festival History Walking Tour (all ages, €13 per person – booking here)
• Kinsale Guinness Cork Jazz Festival
• An outreach Programme with visits to care centres and schools around the city.

Check out the full schedule of Guinness Cork Jazz Festival Big Fringe events here for start times and further information.

‘A highlight for festival-goers’

For even more jazz, the coastal town of Kinsale will host its own Kinsale Guinness Cork Jazz Festival, which runs alongside the main city events.

Highlights include 20 gigs across four days at The Blue Haven, and Hamlets. At The Bulman, the Billy Crosbie Trio perform on Monday at 7pm. Billy played a fundamental role in bringing jazz to Kinsale, and now plays in his family’s pub by the sea. An eight-piece brass show band can be seen in Oscar Madisons, all the way from Kent, and Loose Change will make an appearance once again in the heart of Kinsale.

“The Big Fringe is a real highlight for many festival-goers,” said Fiona Collins, Chairperson of the Cork Jazz Festival Committee.

“The energy and enthusiasm of acts like Hyde Park Brass and our local talents such as Code of Behaviour always make the streets come alive and we are delighted to bring jazz to so many communities again. Of course, it wouldn’t be possible without our partners Diageo, Cork Airport, Fáilte Ireland, and many local businesses.”

For a full program of events or to book, visit guinnesscorkjazz.com. Follow the festival on @guinnesscorkjazz #GuinnessCorkJazz. The Guinness Cork Jazz Festival is supported by Diageo, Fáilte Ireland, Cork City Council and Cork Airport.