Ireland’s best Jazz Festival lights up the Walled City this May Bank Holiday weekend, Thursday 1st – Monday 5th May 2025.

Now in its 24th year, the City of Derry Jazz & Big Band Festival promises an unforgettable celebration, drawing over 100,000 music lovers to experience world-class performers. This year’s stellar line-up features Grammy winner Billy Ocean headlining, Una Healy with Luke Thomas, The Garage Boys, the electrifying Mr. Wilson’s Second Liners, The Red Stripe Band, Ska Beats, Angela & her NOLA Brass Band and many more international artists.

Now in its 24th year, Bray Jazz Festival returns from May 2nd to May 4th, bringing a stellar lineup of international and homegrown talent to the picturesque seaside town of Bray, Co. Wicklow.

With artists from the US, UK, France, Belgium, Japan, Italy, Finland, Norway, and more, this year’s edition promises a truly global celebration of jazz. Supported by The Arts Council of Ireland, Wicklow County Council, and an array of sponsors, Bray Jazz Festival continues to uphold its reputation as one of Ireland’s leading jazz events.

Mieko Miyazaki and Franck Wolf form a rare and original duo, their music blending the elegant charm of the ‘koto,’ a half tube zither that is Japan’s national instrument, with the melodic lines of Wolf’s clarinet and saxophone.

Zoé Basha is a musician, composer and carpenter, of French and American origins.

Based between Ireland and the traveling life for over a decade, Zoé blends traditional singing with jazz and blues. Her original pieces and traditional songs explore the crossover between the sway of Appalachian mountain songs, the fervour and solemn ornamentation of Irish traditional songs, and the pulse of American ragtime through playful, syncopated guitar and a booming voice reminiscent of some old jazz record you can’t quite put your finger on.

Gediminas Karkauskas, a Lithuanian pianist based in Dublin for 20 years, studied at the Royal Conservatory of the Hague and completed his Masters at the Dublin Institute of Technology Conservatory of Music. He has performed at prestigious venues like The National Concert Hall in Dublin and the Archduke in London, as well as at the Kilkenny Arts Festival. His debut album, 'Lost Suite', was a top jazz album of the year and received critical acclaim. Gediminas will perform with drummer Kevin Lawlor and double bassist Florian Kockott, offering a mix of original music, jazz standards, and unexpected pieces.

Saxophonist Xhosa Cole has been blazing a trail since he first emerged on the UK jazz scene as the winner of the BBC Young Jazz Musician of the Year award, in 2018.

A year later he collected the ‘best newcomer’ prize at the prestigious Parliamentary Jazz Awards, and was named Breakthrough Act of the Year by Jazz FM in the UK.

Nubya Garcia (UK)

Nubya Garcia is one of the breakthrough stars of the recent UK urban jazz boom.

A generational talent since long before she released her Mercury Prize nominated debut album in 2021, tenor saxophonist Garcia was named Breakthrough Act of the Year by both Sky Arts and Jazz FM back as far as 2018, and was the Jazz FM’s Jazz Act of the Year, a year later.

Pizza Jazz are a new four-piece comprising some of Dublin’s leading jazz players.

Expect the music of Sun-Ra, Charlie Mingus, Hermeto Pascoal and Ornette Coleman alongside traditional and modern standards from the quartet, who cut their teeth playing a lively residency at ‘Luckie’s on Meath Street in the city.

Sam Braysher is a London-based alto saxophonist. A regular performer at jazz clubs across Europe, he has received international critical acclaim for his warm, delicate sound and deep knowledge of the standard repertoire and American Songbook.

He is joined here by a rhythm section of rising stars from the London scene: in-demand double bassist Jack Garside (Mark Kavuma and The Banger Factory), and swinging young drummer Kai McRae (Rachael Cohen, Stan Sulzmann).

Verneri Pohjola, a Finnish trumpeter and composer, is one of the most celebrated and acclaimed Jazz artists in Europe. He possesses a commanding and unique voice that showcases both warmth and vibrancy in his playing. His writing is bold and creative, with a unique ability to write immersive and powerful melodies that highlight his individuality and progressive style.With a string of successful releases and critical acclaim, his talent has not gone unnoticed. In 2015, Jazzwise Magazine called his album, 'Bullhorn,' "one of the finest albums of recent times" and hailed him as a "fully-fledged star", shedding his 'star-in-the-making' mantle. He has received numerous awards and accolades throughout his career, including the prestigious Nordic Council Music Prize nomination in 2021, which recognizes outstanding contributions to the Nordic music scene.

THE KEVIN BRADY ELECTRIC QUARTET FEATURING SEAMUS BLAKE & BILL CARROTHERS

In 2022, Kevin Brady and his Electric Quartet found themselves heading in a groundbreaking new direction, inspired by a collaboration that would redefine their sound.

“If Orgone and The Meters had a baby and moved to Ireland… or maybe it’s as if Booker T and some of the Grateful Dead members and their side projects collided late one night in New Orleans… either way…”Emerging from Dublin, Ireland, (yes, that’s correct - Dublin F’ng Ireland)

Max Zaska is a guitarist, songwriter, and producer best known for his feel-good blend of modern funk, neo-soul, and indie jazz.

With his band, ZASKA, Max brings his original songs to life with a verve and enthusiasm that is infectious. His live work and recordings over the past decade have featured a dizzying array of Irish artists, ranging from Hozier, who was his first vocalist, to Wyvern Lingo, Loah, Tolu Kakay, Jess Kav, Hypnotic Brass Ensemble, Little Green Cars and Denise Chaila.

Tipped as ‘One To Watch’ by BBC Introducing, Jazz FM UK and Belfast Live, award-winning singer-songwriter Katharine Timoney is making waves as one of Ireland’s leading jazz-soul crossover artists.

A revolving roster of jazz and blues acts featuring some of Ireland's finest musicians from Richie Buckley and Chris Comhaill to Ben Prevo and Karl Clews. Expect fabulous music as the perfect backdrop to your Saturday afternoon.