Irish Prime Minister Enda Kenny TD, was in Cork today to officially announce the opening of the 2012 Guinness Cork Jazz Festival with musicians Natalie Williams and The Roaring Forties. Taking place from Oct 26th to 28th, the festival features over 1,000 musicians from 22 countries performing over 400 performances in more than 50 venues throughout Cork.
 
One of the highlights of this year’s festival is De La Soul, the energetic, jazz hip-hop trio from Long Island, New York, who will take to the stage of Cork Opera House on Sunday. Also taking to the stage over the weekend and adding to the eclectic mix of performers at this year’s Guinness Cork Jazz Festival are Natalie Williams, Roy Hargrove, Beach House, Gregory Porter and many more.
 
Speaking at the opening event, John O’Keeffe, Global Category Director Beer and Baileys, Diageo Ireland said; “The Guinness Cork Jazz Festival always promises to be a great weekend and never fails to deliver. The pubs and venues are set to welcome a host of talented musicians from all over the world for the 34th Guinness Cork Jazz Festival weekend. The line-up reflects a fresh, fantastic cross section of musicians, all with one thing in common – a true passion for great music.”
 
Music fans can also look out for hundreds of sessions on the famous Guinness Music Trail - featuring over 50 venues citywide with a range of music styles on show including Jazz, Blues, Funk, Dixieland, Boogie Woogie & Rock’n’Roll. Over 90% of the music is free of entry charges. Top names appearing on the Guinness Music Trail include an array of Irish and international talent including The James Taylor Quartet, Lee Hedley Band, The Mary Stokes Band and local jazz heroes, The Roaring Forties.
 
The festival is a long established highlight on Ireland’s cultural calendar attracting visitors from home and abroad. This is the 34th Guinness Cork Jazz Festival and it is estimated to be worth over €6.5 million to the local economy each year. In 2013, the Guinness Cork Jazz Festival will be one of the key elements of The Gathering 2013.
 
As well as a dazzling array of music and pub gigs at the Guinness Cork Jazz Festival, there will also be plenty of opportunities to be a part of the action with swing dance classes, Samba school and the chance to learn to sing Gospel and Jazz music during the weekend!
 
Full details of the 2012 festival are available online at

www.guinnessjazzfestival.com