JAZZ ENTHUSIASTS paid scant regard to the poor weather over the weekend in Cork, soaking up the atmosphere at the 31st annual Guinness Jazz Festival in the city.
The festival got off to a "magical start" on Friday night when pianist Chick Corea, best known in jazz circles for his work with the legendary Miles Davis, attracted 1,000 people to Cork Opera House.
Corea is a multiple Grammy Award-winning American jazz pianist, keyboardist, drummer, and composer. He is known for his work during the 1970s in the genre of jazz fusion. He participated in the birth of the electric fusion movement as a member of Miles Davis's band in the 1960s, and in the 1970s formed Return to Forever.
Corea shared the stage with guitar superstar John McLaughlin. The performance was part of a bill which also featured The Cindy Blackman Quartet.
The highlight of Saturday's concerts was a double header from Acker Bilk and Kenny Ball at Cork Opera House.
The sweet tones of Acker's clarinet have been wooing audiences worldwide for 50 years with chart-toppers for the British jazz star including Strangers on the Shoreand That's my Home.
Yesterday's highlights included a debut Irish performance from The Yellowjackets, the Dave Lieberman Quartet and Martial Solal Trio. About 1,000 musicians from 30 different countries performed in concerts, clubs and pubs throughout Cork city as part of the festival which concludes today.
The line-up included Lee Konitz, David Murray and Cedar Walton. Other top names were Courtney Pine, Laura Izibor, Trans Am, The Poets of Rhythm and Rick Margitza.
As usual, there was a strong Irish presence with Louis Stewart, Honor Heffernan, Don Baker and Zrazy heading up the long list.
The Cork Jazz Festival first took place in 1978. Jazz buff Pearse Harvey suggested the idea to Jim Mountjoy, marketing manager of the Metropole Hotel. Players Wills sponsored the event to the tune of £5,000.
The event was organised as a last-minute replacement for a cancelled bridge tournament.
Today, the Guinness Jazz Festival is by far Ireland's biggest and most prestigious jazz event.
The 2008 Guinness Jazz Awards were announced also yesterday.
Sax player Lee Konizt has been unveiled as the recipient of the Guinness jazz legend award, joining such luminaries as Jimmy Smith and the late Humphrey Lyttelton.
The personality of the festival winner was Steve Turre, who performed at the festival with his Spirit of Jazz.
The 2008 rising star award went to Miguel Zenon of the Miguel Zenon Quartet.
The Irish jazz award was won by Seán Óg McErlaine of Trihornophone.
The award for best new band went to the Jacob Fred Jazz Odyssey from Tulsa, Oklahoma.