All the best spots to catch free jazz on the streets this weekend

Cork is gearing up for its busiest weekend of the year!

Jazz will take centre stage on the streets of Cork over the October Bank Holiday Weekend as The Big Fringe returns for a booming weekend of free music and exciting performances to complement the main ticketed shows.  

Kicking off today (October 23rd), the Guinness Cork Jazz Festival promises an unforgettable week of world-class music. Locals and visitors alike will be swept up in the city’s infectious energy, with jazz performances transforming Cork into a giant open-air stage.

This year’s festival is bigger than ever, with world-class jazz musicians converging in Cork for performances that will reverberate across the city. 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.

Highlights include: 

• Jazz Stroll on Oliver Plunkett – Friday, 6:30pm
• Jazz on the Plaza super dome stage at Emmet Place – Saturday & Sunday (mixed times)
• Beat on the Street impromptu street performances – All weekend (impromptu)
• Talks, presentations, performances and Exhibition at Live at the Library at the Rory Gallagher Music Library at Cork City Library (see below)
• The Big Jazz Bus – Friday – Sunday
• Jazz Gospel Service at St. Anne’s Church in Shandon – Sunday, 10:45am
• A Touch of Blarney featuring Cork’s very own Blarney Brass & Reed Band – Sunday, 3pm
• Jazz Jamboree at the Opera House Plaza – Sunday, 5pm
• Electronic Music Council events at Liquid Lounge – All weekend

See below for more info on each:

Don’t miss the Jazz Stroll on Oliver Plunkett Street on Friday 25^th from 6.30pm,which will see 4-5 national and international brass bands stroll down the iconic street, kicking off the weekend with a joyous explosion of sound.  (Grand Parade – Oliver Plunkett St – Maylor St – Caroline St – Oliver Plunkett St).

The fun doesn’t stop there—Cork City’s streets will be alive with performances throughout the weekend. Catch live jazz at the Jazz on the Plaza super dome stage at Emmet Place  on Saturday and Sunday.

For a real Cork experience, make time for Beat on the Street, featuring impromptu performances scattered around the city with New York Brass Band, Hyde Park Brass Band, BoolaBoom, Lamarotte, Code of Behaviour, Tbl8 Brass Band, Rebel Brass Band and the Brass Kings. 

Those eager to delve deeper into the history and culture of jazz will be inspired by the Live at the Library series of talks, presentations and performances at the Rory Gallagher Music Library at Cork City Library over the week.  

Join Philip Watson (The Irish Times) as he introduces ‘Good dog, Happy man” by Bill Frisell, the Guitarist who changed the sound of American Music. (23^rd Oct at 11am).  Dr. Ian Darrington MBE will talk on the history and place of Japanese Jazz. (23^rd Oct 1pm).  

Learn ‘How brass instruments work’, (24^th Oct 11am), hear the wonderful sound of Live Brass Music (25^th Oct 2pm), or hear Sonny Emerald DJ live (25^th Oct 4pm).  Sonny will open the door of the cosmos, paying tribute and gratitude to the intergalactic genius of Sun Ra& his Arkestra.

Back by popular demand, the Big Jazz Bus will once again make its way through the city streets, offering a rolling jazz experience from Friday to Sunday. Shoppers and passers-by will be serenaded by live performances atop the bus.

For a soulful start to your Sunday, head to St. Anne’s Church in Shandon for the Jazz Gospel Service at 10:45am.

Festival-goers won’t want to miss A Touch of Blarney on Sunday afternoon at 3:00pm on Daunts Square, featuring Cork’s very own Blarney Brass & Reed Band. Meanwhile, the much-loved Jazz Jamboree will take over Opera House Plaza at 5pm that evening, with an unforgettable jam session from all the brass bands—perfect for a final send-off to the festival weekend.

For electronic music fans, the Electronic Music Council will host a number of events at Liquid Lounge on Princes Street. These include Soichi Terada (Live), Japanese house music, supported by Danilo Milk & Patfeelgood; Nancy (Live)  for a night of high-octane live techno alongside NATMAC and Battsy; Lone (Live) with renowned electronic producer Lone, supported by James ABJURE and Data Ryder.

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

For a full program of events or to book, visit guinnesscorkjazz.com.