Cork Jazz Festival – 26th October ’18

Ladies in the Blues

THE FIRKIN CRANE THEATRE

After sell-out shows at the Cork Jazz Festival and standing ovations across the country, Ladies in the Blues takes you on a women’s journey through the blues.

From the gospel roots of the 1920s to vaudville, jazz and blues rock, immerse yourself in songs by all those great women of the blues – Big Mama Thornton, Billie Holiday, Nina Simone, Etta James, Ella Fitzgerald, Janis Joplin, Bessie Smith and many more.
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Billy Childs All Star Quartet

 EVERYMAN THEATRE

LA’s Jazz pianist/composer Billy Childs remains one of the most diversely prolific and acclaimed artists working in the industry today.
Emersed into the music world at an early age, he was skilled at the piano by the time he was 6. Childs began studying music theory and piano with some of the world’s most renowned musical scholars at USC’s Community School For The Performing Arts, where he later graduated from with a degree in composition.

His early influences come from Herbie Hancock, Keith Emerson, Chick Corea and he credits classical composers such as Paul Hindemith, Maurice Ravel, and Igor Stravinsky for also influencing his love of composition.
Since his first solo release in 1988, the liberal artist has received sixteen Grammy nominations, and five Grammy awards for works including ‘The Path Among the Trees’ (2011), ‘Into The Light’ (2005) and most recently his Jazz instrumental quartet album “Rebirth”.Website

Hypnotic Brass Ensemble

CORK OPERA HOUSE

Hypnotic Brass Ensemble (also known as The Bad Boys of Jazz) are an seven-piece, Chicago-based brass ensemble consisting of seven sons of the jazz trumpeter Phil Cohran.
Their musical style ranges from hip-hop to jazz to funk and rock, including calypso and gypsy music. They call their eclectic blend of sound “now music”, or “Hypnotic”. Reared in the teachings of music since they were children, they grew up on the stage playing as the “Phil Cohran Youth Ensemble”.

They take their stylistic cues from jazz, funk, hip-hop, and varios strains of world music.
Starting out playing on the streets of Chicago and New York, together they have toured throughout Europe, Asia, Australia, Africa and South America, playing with everyone from Prince, Mos Def, The Clash and The Gorillaz.
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Umbra

CORK OPERA HOUSE

Umbra is one of the most exciting and innovative bands in the Irish Jazz scene. Comprised of some of the most promising musicians in Dublin, Umbra’s modus operandi is high energy, thought provoking performance with an emphasis on intricate compositions.

Led by guitarist and composer Chris Guilfoyle, Umbra is his vehicle to showcase his unique take on contemporary jazz. The music is a blend of harmonic and melodic sophistication reminiscent of artists like John Hollenbeck and Jim Mcneely, cyclical grooves evoking comparisons with IDM and math metal, all played with the energy of a punk rock band.
Each members individual strengths are showcased in the compositions while at the same time blending masterfully into a cohesive and recognisable group sound.
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Billy Cobham

EVERYMAN THEATRE

Jazz fusion pioneer Billy Cobham is an internationally renowned drumming virtuoso, percussionist, composer, producer, educator and master clinician whose life has been dedicated to musical exploration and creative expression.

Throughout his musical career he’s been involved in projects including the Mahavishnu Orchestra and The New York Jazz Sextet. He’s worked with Miles Davis and collaborated with Wayne Shorter, Joe Zawinul, Miroslav Vitous, Freddie Hubbard and Kenny Burrell.
His most recent recording “Tierra del Fuego” is dedicated to the memory of parents, bringing together an array of talented musicians for a truly inspiring piece.
Featuring: Steve Hamilton, Emilio Garcia, Camelia Ben Naceur and Christian Galvez.
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Ronan Guilfoyle ‘ Always Know’

CORK OPERA HOUSE

A tribute to the music of Thelonious Monk, one of the key influences in Ronan Guilfoyle’s musical career – celebrating 100 years since the birth of the great jazz pianist.

Just before going on stage, Thelonious Monk would often deliver this particular piece of advice to his band: “Don’t forget, always know”. This and other Monk sayings were captured by band member Steve Lacy – a handwritten document scrawled with the typically gnomic, yet brilliant things Monk would say to the band. Guilfoyle based this suite of music on this document, with each piece based on one of Monk’s infamous sayings. As Monk said, ‘You’ve got to dig it, to dig it – you dig?’
Featuring: Matt Berrill – Clarinet,Bass Clarinet, Sam Comerford, Paul Dunlea, Chris Guilfoyle, Ronan Guilfoyle, Greg Felton and Sean Carpio.
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The Blind Boys Of Alabama

CORK CITY HALL

Hailed as “gospel titans” by Rolling Stone, the Blind Boys first rose to fame in the segregated south with their thrilling vocal harmonies and roof-raising live show.

They released their debut single, “I Can See Everybody’s Mother But Mine,” on the iconic Veejay label in 1948, launching a 70-year recording career that saw them win five GRAMMY Awards and enter the Gospel Music Hall of Fame.
The group have collaborated with everyone from Mavis Staple, Stevie Wonder, Prince and Lou Reed, and performed on the world’s most prestigious stages.
“When the Blind Boys started out, we weren’t even thinking about all these accolades and all that stuff,” founding member Jimmy Carter told NPR. “We just wanted to get out and sing gospel and tell the world about gospel music.” Mission accomplished!
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THE ACADEMIC 

CORK OPERA HOUSE

After their knockout set playing with The Rolling Stones at Croke Park this summer, Ireland’s favourite indie outfit, Westmeath 4 piece, The Academic play Cork Opera House on October 26th.

It will be 3 years in October since The Academic released their debut EP ‘Loose Friends’ and in that short space of time, they now find themselves at the forefront of 2018’s breaking guitar bands, not just in Ireland but on the international stage. Debut album, ‘Tales From The Backseat’ went straight to the top of the album charts, is brimming with uplifting pop hooks, sweet vocal harmonies and youthful exuberance. There is an irresistible charm, undeniable wit, and infectious personality that shines through with the band. Leaping from mellow, artfully constructed melodic thoughtfulness into wild, explosive moments of raucous brilliance, there’s a surprise around every corner within the music and songwriting, all executed with an undeniable measure of passion and grit.

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