Reflecting on Cork Jazz Festival 2024
By Music Editor Beth O’Halloran
Despite another weekend of rain, cold and generally miserable weather, the Cork Jazz Festival once again brought life into the city. The annual festival poured into the city over the bank holiday weekend, bringing with it echoing brass and a rhythm you just can't get out of your head. Here’s some of the highlights!
Grammy award-winning American singer-songwriter Gregory Porter raised the roof off of Cork Opera House for two sold out nights on Thursday and Friday evening. Bringing his trademark blend of jazz and neo-soul to Cork, as well as his signature newsboy cap, Porter delivered a concert some have called ‘one of the best gigs that Cork has seen for years’. He also, much to the crowd’s chagrin, made reference to Cork’s very own butter museum: ‘I respect a city that has a museum dedicated to butter. I have dedicated my LIFE to butter!’
Porter’s captivation of his audience on both nights set the gold standard for this year’s acts, which is no mean feat given the exceptional amount of talent that flocked to the city. Irish soul band Toshin made an appearance at St. Luke’s Church on Sunday night. The six-piece Dublin based band, lead by frontwoman Tosin Bankole, brought a soul-driven sound and incredible vocals. This isn’t their first foray into Jazz Weekend, having supported Corinne Bailey Rae last year at her headlining Opera House gig. We can only hope that they will grace Cork again before next year’s festival.
Adding onto the impressive line up at St. Luke’s was London based musician Maya Delilah. Her musical style has been characterised as ‘soul-pop’ with a heavy emphasis on guitars. She has cited challenging stereotypes surrounding female guitarists as inspiration from her music. Delilah played the Friday evening slot supported by Cuban-Irish songwriter Qbanaa. Her impressive guitar skills and harmonies to boot made her a stand-out performer of the festival, and her name is absolutely one to look out for.
If you’re familiar with the Hunger Games, then there’s a chance that this next band may ring a bell. Hypnotic Brass Ensemble composed and performed the song “War”, which you may recognise as Caesar Flickerman’s theme song from the films. The band made multiple appearances over the course of the weekend, including their own headlining shows in Cyprus Avenue on Saturday and Sunday, as well as appearing alongside pianist and hip-hop legend Brian Jackson at the Opera House on Wednesday night. This eight-piece sibling brass band from Chicago are renowned for their upbeat, timeless sound, as well as a number of impressive collaborations, with the likes of Mos Def, Gorillaz, Prince, and recording with the likes of Snoop Dogg and Erykah Badu. This impressive troupe is also known for touring with their mother, Aquilla Sadalla, who often appears on stage with them. Two incredible shows performed just goes to show how much we have craved raw talent in this city.
The Saturday night opera house slot was taken by the Buena Vista All Stars, a collective of Cuban musicians. The audience were transported around the world through music, from the streets of Havana to the Buena Vista Social Club to jazz clubs worldwide. Audiences were in for a treat at this celebration of Cuban heritage and culture.
And if jazz music was never your thing, then perhaps you may have been to this next gig. Irish indie rock band The Academic played Cyprus Avenue on Thursday evening, supported by UCC student band Telebox. The gig helped to kick start the venue’s line up of acts for the weekend, making for an unforgettable showcase.
While the city settles down once again before the Christmas rush begins, it’s safe to say we’ve had a jam-packed bank holiday weekend. Ladies and gentlemen, until next year!