The most interesting things that happen often take place on The Fringe. It’s the variety and unpredictability that make them worth a look, and these acts are no different, so make sure to catch it for yourself. A series of FREE fringe event activity, all aimed at extending the Festival experience for locals and visitors alike.
If you would like to volunteer or support the Fringe, please let us know.
The programme of fringe events presented at the festival would not be possible without the generous support of Guinness, Failte Ireland, Cork City Council, Cork Airport and local businesses. Many of their business logos are listed here.
Featuring
- New York Brass
- Hyde Park Brass Band
- Code of Behaviour
- TBL8 Brass
- Brass Kings
- Rebel Brass
- BoolaBoom
- Barack Street Brass Band
- Blarney Brass Band
25 OCT
JAZZ FESTIVAL CHARITY- RNLI
The RNLI celebrates 200 years of service this year and we are delighted to have them as the Festival Chairty this year.
The RNLI is the charity that saves lives at sea. In 2024 the RNLI celebrated their 200th birthday. 200 years is an amazing milestone for the RNLI, but everything the charity has achieved in that time has only been possible thanks to ordinary people doing extraordinary things. Since the RNLI was founded in 1824, people have formed crews and funded the kit and lifeboats to save lives at sea and long may that tradition continue.
Since the charity was founded, available records show that volunteer lifeboat crews on the island of Ireland have saved 8,357 lives and aided a further 35,477 people. In County Cork in 2023, Cork Lifeboats launched 140 times, aided 211 people and saved 4 lives.
The RNLI is, however, more than just a rescue service – it influences, supervises and educates people too. The story of the RNLI is one of courage and dedication. On calm seas, inland waters or into ferocious storms, whether on a sinking ship, cut off by a rapidly rising tide, or in the water and close to drowning, RNLI crew members will drop everything to come to your rescue. To find out more about the RNLI, or how you can get involved with this amazing charity, please log onto www.RNLI.org
Cork City Library, Grand Parade - 1.00PM
25 OCT
COMMUNITY OUTREACH
A number of events will take place within the community of Cork. Visits to care centres and schools around the city – Bringing the Jazz to you!
Cork City Library, Grand Parade - 1.00PM
23 OCT
Live at the Library – Music Library | ‘Good dog, Happy man’
Philip Watson (The Irish Times) will introduce ‘Good dog, Happy man” by Bill Frisell. Philip wrote an authoritative book entitled Bill Frisell, Beautiful Dreamer: The Guitarist who changed the sound of American Music.
Cork City Library, Grand Parade - 11am
23 OCT
Live at the Library – Music Library | Discovering Japanese Jazz
A presentation on the history of Japanese Jazz and its place in the jazz scene. Presented by Dr. Ian Darrington MBE
Cork City Library, Grand Parade - 1pm
23 OCT
The Everyman | The Piece with the Drums
Directed and choreographed by David Bolger, with music, beats and everything in between by pioneering jazz percussionist Conor Guilfoyle, it’s a colourful exploration of relationships, spirituality and our connection to rhythm, life and the cosmos. Tickets
The Everyman - 8pm
24 OCT
Live at the Library – Music Library | How brass instruments work
An illustrated talk on how and why brass instruments work. This will involve an opportunity for a small number of pupils to ‘try-out’ a trumpet Suitable for ages 5 – 11 years. Presented by Dr. Ian Darrington MBE
Cork City Library, Grand Parade - 11am
24 OCT - 25 OCT
Live at the Library
The Rory Gallagher Music Library is pleased to launch an exhibition on Jazz culture in Japan as part of a international collaboration between staff member Ben Hussey and visiting intern Misa Nakai. The exhibition, which will be displayed on 6 custom printed boards, details the phenomenon of Jazz culture in Japan – from its origins in visiting Jazz troupes in the 1920s to the cultural importance that the country’s Jazz Cafes hold today.
Cork City Library, Grand Parade - All day
25 OCT
Live at the Library – Music Library | Live Brass Music
Come and hear the wonderful brass sounds in the music library – the perfect way to kick off the afternoon.
Cork City Library, Grand Parade - 2pm
25 OCT
Live at the Library – Sonny Emerald
Sonny Emerald DJ will open the door of the cosmos, paying tribute and gratitude to the intergalactic genius of Sun Ra& his Arkestra. For 2 hours the legend Sonny Emerald will play some amazing music and get your Jazz Festival opening evening off to a great start.
Cork City Library, Grand Parade - 4pm
25 OCT
Oliver Plunkett
Join us on for a special treat on Friday evening as some the best marching bands take to Oliver Plunkett Street for a special cacophony of music.
Oliver Plunkett Street Stroll – Cork City Centre - 6.30pm
25 OCT
Beat on the Street
Enjoy happy jazz from some of U.K & Europe’s best marching bands as they play the city streets on Friday, Saturday, and Sunday. This year’s entertainment will be provided by New York Brass Band, Hyde Park Brass Band, BoolaBoom, Lamarotte, Code of Behaviour, Tbl8 Brass Band, Rebel Brass Band and the Brass Kings.
Cork City Centre
25 OCT
Jazz on the Plaza
Visit our Super Dome Jazz Stage on the Opera House Plaza, Emmett Place, in the city centre on Saturday and Sunday Afternoon for live music throughout the afternoon.
Cork City Library, Grand Parade - 1.00PM
25 OCT
Jazz Bus
Our open top jazz bus will be touring city centre on Saturday and Sunday with one of our many bands on board. Give them a wave and say hello.
Cork City Library, Grand Parade - 1.00PM
27 OCT
A Touch of Blarney
Enjoy a concert of light and popular music played by award winning Blarney Brass & Reed Band on Sunday afternoon 3-30 pm in Daunts Square, Plaza.
Daunts Square - 3.00PM
27 OCT
Jazz Gospel Service
Join St. Anne’s celebratory and spiritual Harvest Jazz Service at Cork’s iconic church. A morning of jazz joy. This is a free event, but tickets are required for entry. Tickets are available from St. Anne’s, Shandon and the Jazz Committee
St. Anne’s Church, Shandon - 10.45 am
27 OCT
Jazz Jamboree
Join our visiting European bands in a Farewell Gathering on Opera House Plaza. This great Jam Session will feature all the brass bands as they bid farewell to Cork and the Festival for this year.
Emmett Place - 5PM
25 OCT - 26 OCT - 27 OCT
Electronic Music Council
- Soichi Terada (Live) Japanese house music legend Soichi Terada touches down in Cork for a very special Jazz Weekend show, supported by Danilo Milk & Patfeelgood.
- Nancy (Live) touches down in Cork for a night of high-octane live techno alongside NATMAC and Battsy.
- Lone (Live) Renowned electronic producer Lone comes to Cork Jazz Festival for a special live performance, supported by James ABJURE and Data Ryder
Liquid Lounge - 15-16 Princes Street, Cork City
ALL WEEKEND
Jazz Festival History Walking Tour
Join local historian Roanan Leonard as he takes you on a special walking tour based on the history, development and influence of the Guinness Cork Jazz Festival. The tour will take approx. 90 minutes and will cover various venues, legendary gigs and memories while also using the narrative of Cork’s own history. Ronan Leonard, is a fully nationally certified – and insured – Tour Guide, who runs This Is Cork Walking Tours since 2019. Please see This is Cork Tours for booking.
Emmett Place - 5PM
ALL WEEKEND
Jazz Festival Club
The home of the Jazz continues to entertain over the weekend!
Emmett Place - 5PM
ALL WEEKEND
Jazz by the Riverside
Enjoy Bank Holiday Monday Jazz in Riverside Bar of River Lee Hotel with live music by the New Brass Band
River Lee Hotel, Western Road
