BIGGER, certainly; better, possibly. The line up for this year's Guinness Jazz Festival, Cork's annual binge of jazz'n'booze which opens on October 25th, includes enough to keep the hardcore jazz fans happy, as well as a clear indication that the sponsors are reorienting the festival to target a younger, not necessarily jazz committed audience.
The return of Van "The Man" Morrison and regulars like King Pleasure and the Biscuit Boys, the infusion of acid jazz and soul elements - including the G Club Mix, "an eclectic melange of contemporary sounds and music styles featuring `live' bands and DJs", according to Guinness - show where the sponsors see their future market.
But for aficionados, the programme is full of memorable names. Pianist Michel Petrucciani and saxophonist Joe Lovano head the jazz bill, and there are stellar figures from the older generation like Clark Terry, Sweets Edison, Benny Golson, Curtis Fuller, Jon Hendricks, Spike Robinson, Bobby Wellins, Red Holloway, James Moody and Dave McKenna.
The younger jazz musicians include some high calibre names, among them Brad Mehldau, Grant Stewart, Don Sickler, Steve Wilson, Harry Allen, Nelson Rangell and Alan Barnes, as well as some lesser known talents.
But the Irish impact this year is considerable. Apart from such staples as Louis Stewart, Jim Doherty, the Guilfoyle brothers, Mike Nielsen, Richie and Michael Buckley and Len McCarthy, there is also the appearance of the Irish Jazz Orchestra, under the leadership of Canadian Hugh Fraser.
Two New York based Dubliners, David O'Rourke and Fintan O'Neill, are also responsible for some of the festival's more promising special bands.