Bray International Jazz Festival returns over the May Bank Holiday weekend, May 1st–3rd, marking a significant milestone as the festival celebrates its 25th anniversary. Established in the millennium year, the festival has grown into one of the leading contemporary jazz weekends in the greater Dublin area, attracting over 5,000 concertgoers annually to venues across the North Wicklow town.
This year’s anniversary edition promises a particularly strong international and Irish line-up, with over 40 concerts, recitals and Jazz Trail shows taking place across the weekend.
The festival opens on Friday, May 1st, at Mermaid Arts Centre with a performance by acclaimed American pianist Fred Hersch, one of the most influential figures in modern jazz. With a career spanning more than five decades, Hersch has released over 60 albums and received an extraordinary 17 Grammy Award nominations. He appears in Bray with his celebrated ECM Records trio for what promises to be a standout opening night concert.
Saturday night, May 2nd, sees Havana-based pianist Roberto Fonseca bring his La Gran Diversión ensemble to the Bray Theatre. Fonseca, a former member of the legendary Buena Vista Social Club, is known for blending Afro-Cuban rhythms with jazz, funk and contemporary influences, and is widely regarded as one of the most exciting pianists of his generation.
The festival’s closing night on Sunday, May 3rd, features veteran American trumpeter Eddie Henderson, who will present a centenary tribute to the iconic Miles Davis, celebrating the legacy of one of the most important figures in jazz history.
Beyond the headline concerts, Bray Jazz Festival 2025 boasts a diverse and adventurous programme of international guests, including vocalist Sara Dowling, London-based trumpeter Poppy Daniels, harpist Alina Bzhezhinska and her Hip Harp Collective, Mongolian singer Enji, Welsh instrumentalist Cerys Hafana, French vocalist Leila Martial, and Blue Note Records artist Harold López-Nussa.
Irish jazz is also strongly represented throughout the weekend. Highlights include veteran guitarist Tommy Halferty, marking his 80th year, singer Jenna Harris’ BERRI, Sligo-based guitarist Mike Nielsen, and Ireland’s newest 17-piece ensemble, The Genuine Jazz Orchestra. The festival will also showcase emerging talent, with an afternoon programme featuring graduates from the Centre for Jazz Performance Studies at Dublin City University.
With its mix of world-class international artists, leading Irish performers, and a town-wide festival atmosphere, Bray International Jazz Festival’s 25th anniversary edition looks set to be a major highlight of the 2025 jazz calendar.
For full programme details and ticket information, visit www.brayjazz.com.