45,000 Expected For Guinness Jazz Festival

Another bumper Guinness Jazz Festival is in prospect for the October Bank Holiday weekend in Cork with over 45,000 music fans expected to pump €25 million into the local economy.

Now in its 30th year, the Festival Programme is packed with many of the biggest names in jazz, including legends such as Phil Woods, Jesse Davis and Gary Burton.

Other major attractions will be the Blind Boys of Alabama, Esbjorn Svensson and the stunning Brazilian pianist, Eliane Elias.

Michael Lyons, Diageo Ireland's Head of Sales for the South Region, commented: "We are getting ready for one of the best Jazz Festivals on record with the pubs and clubs in Cork are anticipating a very busy weekend full of great music."

Rory Sheridan, the Guinness Jazz Manager at Diageo Irelands, said that the Festival was going from strength to strength. "Last year we broke all attendance and ticket sales records, and this year it is shaping to do even better."

In all, Guinness will be providing jazzy sounds from over 1,000 musicians in over 80 pubs, clubs and theatres for an event that is independently rated as one of the Top Five sponsorships in Ireland.

Now one of Ireland’s most successful arts and cultural events, it has picked up award after award – with Guinness winning the prestigious Allianz Business2Arts Award and the much sought-after Europa Jazz Award. The Guinness Jazz Festival will be taking place on 26 to 29 October, 2007.

The full 2007 jazz line up can be viewed on the Festival website www.guinnessjazzfestival.com.

(JM/SP)