The ESB has increased its arts sponsorship by backing a seven-date jazz series at the Vicar Street venue in central Dublin in a three-year deal with Dublin group Note Productions.

The series of monthly concerts will feature international acts such as US pianist Brad Mehldau and saxophonist Lou Donaldson.

While an ESB spokesman declined to reveal the value of the sponsorship, he said it would appeal to a "very interesting" demographic group, 60 per cent of which was in 21-39 age category with a 50:50 breakdown between men and women.

The ESB will spend more than £100,000 on arts programmes this year, the spokesman said. The electricity company sponsors Dublin Jazz Week in September, now in its third year, and the Music Network series of classical, traditional and world music tours throughout the State and Northern Ireland.