Jazz Gigs, Tours and Festivals - Headline acts announced for this year's Cork Jazz

Guinness has announced the headline acts for the 42nd Guinness Cork Jazz Festival, which takes place over the October Bank Holiday Weekend.

The line-up features legendary artists including Grammy-Hall-of-Famer Martha Reeves and the Vandellas; Kurt Elling and 14-time Grammy nominee and 2018 Jazz Pianist of the Year Fred Hersch.

There will also be headline performances from American Jazz fusion band Spyro Gyra whose 30 albums have sold over 10 million copies over four decades, Northern Ireland’s famous Dr. Linley Hamilton Quintet, who has performed with Paul Brady, Van Morrison and Foy Vance and British soul queen MICA PARIS, who has toured with Michael Bolton and Boyz II Men.

Kurt Elling will perform at the Guinness Cork Jazz Festival this year.

Tickets for the headline acts are on sale now at http://www.GuinnessJazzFestival.com" rel="nofollow - http://www.GuinnessJazzFestival.com with further artists to be announced over the summer.

Every nook and cranny of Cork City will come alive to the sounds of over 1,000 music and creative artists from more than 20 countries as this year’s festival will host free gigs and entertainment in over 70 city venues from pubs, hotels and restaurants to galleries and public spaces.

There will also be an exciting fringe element to the festival once again, details of which will be announced over the summer.

Fiona Collins, Chairperson of the Guinness Cork Jazz Committee said: “The festival committee is delighted to work in partnership with Diageo Ireland, Cork City Council, Cork Business Association and businesses all over the city to create another fantastic weekend programme to be proud of and it’s a fantastic opportunity to showcase the city and it’s welcoming vibe to thousands of Irish and overseas visitors.”

Martha Reeves & the Vandellas are one of the headline acts at the Cork Jazz Festival this year.

Lord Mayor Cllr John Sheehan said the festival attracts more than 40,000 people to Cork annually and is estimated to be worth around €35 million to the local economy every year.

"Its continued success is a testament to the fantastic team ethos that has evolved over the years between Guinness, the festival committee, local government and the local business community and I wish it every success once again in 2019.”

The legendary Festival Club at The Metropole Hotel, will be the central hub while the Everyman Theatre, Cork City Hall, Triskel Arts Centre, Cork Opera House and Firkin Crane will also play host to jazz headliners.

Further headline artist line-up, details of the free music and entertainment programme and Fringe events will be announced over the summer. For updates and tickets please visit www.guinnessjazzfestival.com.