YUSSEF DAYES is a tour-de-force behind the drums. Widely recognised as one of the most electrifying live performers of his generation, watching the South London-raised producer, composer and drummer perform is an exhilarating combo of technical prowess, intensity and emotion – leaving audiences in no doubt as to the role of rhythm in channelling spiritual energy.

Fresh from her critically acclaimed collaboration Clay with Matthew Herbert, Momoko steps forward in her own right for the first time with her remarkable debut solo album.

A familiar favourite of the Cork jazz weekend, the Des Hopkins International Dixieland Jazz Band returns to the Clayton Cork City Hotel for three days of spirited traditional jazz, with two performances each day on Friday, Saturday and Sunday and special guests joining the celebrations.

Karen Underwood, affectionately known as Cork’s Jazz Diva, returns to the Green Room this October following five sell-out performances at Cork Opera House in October 2025.

Join Karen and her outstanding band for “To Love Somebody”—an unforgettable evening celebrating the timeless songs of Aretha Franklin, Nina Simone, Roberta Flack, Gladys Knight and other legendary artists whose music has captured every emotion of love.

The complex interconnectedness of rivers and the surrounding environment is defined as Riversphere. This concept shares similarities to the interconnectivity between musical genres, the players, the listener and the performance itself. The collective experience is achieved through a shared flow state.

The Jazz Festival Club at The Metropole Hotel returns for the Guinness Cork Jazz Festival, bringing live music to multiple stages throughout one of the festival's most historic venues.

Friday's programme runs across the Ballroom, Douglas Vance, Met Bar, Merchant Restaurant and Lobby, with music continuing late into the night.

When Miles Davis and John Coltrane shared the bandstand, they changed the trajectory of American music forever. This October, the Guinness Cork Jazz Festival welcomes two contemporary pioneers who carry that very same revolutionary spirit.

Jazz pianist, composer, and artist Jason Moran hails from Houston, TX. He’s an alumnus of the Manhattan School of Music where he studied with Jaki Byard. Upon graduation, he studied with Andrew Hill and Muhal Richard Abrams. Moran’s 18-year relationship with Blue Note Records produced 9 highly acclaimed recordings. His groundbreaking trio, The Bandwagon (with bassist Tarus Mateen and drummer Nasheet Waits) is currently celebrating their 20th anniversary.

The Lewis Barfoot Swing Quintet returns to Swingcopation for the second time as part of the Cork Jazz Festival, with a fresh and playful set of classic golden age jazz. Danceable, elegant & timeless, with stunning vocals, superb musicianship & a playfully infectious energy that keeps the swing dancers dancing. Playing songs for lindy hop, balboa, shag, charleston and blues.

A familiar favourite of the Cork jazz weekend, the Des Hopkins International Dixieland Jazz Band returns to the Clayton Cork City Hotel for three days of spirited traditional jazz, with two performances each day on Friday, Saturday and Sunday and special guests joining the celebrations.

Paul Duffy is a multi-talented musician, composer, and vocalist. He has had an impressive career performing around the world with the legendary Irish band The Commitments for six years. Paul is a true musical powerhouse, playing multiple instruments, including saxophone, trumpet, flute, guitar, keyboards, drums, bass, tin whistle, and even bagpipes! Throughout his journey, he has shared the stage with notable musicians like Robert Plant, Jimmy Page, Brian Johnson, Suzi Quatro, Paul Brady

Although at home in a variety of musical styles, Trombonist/Composer/Arranger Paul Dunlea concentrates primarily on Jazz and Improvisation.

This has furthered his reputation as one of Ireland’s most in-demand musicians. Dunlea has performed/toured/recorded with the likes of Michael Bublé, Cassandra Wilson, RAYE, INCOGNITO, Frankie Valli, Liam O’Maonlaoi, Mick Flannery, Richard Reed Parry (Arcade Fire), Bryce Dressner (The National), Lewis Nash, Peter Washington, Billy Drummond, David O’ Rourke’s O’ Rourkestra, Sachal Vasandani, John Clayton, RTÉ Concert Orchestra, National Symphony Orchestra, The Dublin City Jazz Orchestra, The New Irish Jazz Orchestra, Bansangu Orchestra, The Syd Lawrence Orchestra & The Hothouse Big Band.

Tolü Makay’s commanding voice and emotionally direct performances have taken her to stages across Europe and the United States. Her breakthrough cover of The Saw Doctors’ “N17” introduced her to a much wider audience, moving Graham Norton to tears and leading to a performance at the John F. Kennedy Center in Washington.

A familiar favourite of the Cork jazz weekend, the Des Hopkins International Dixieland Jazz Band returns to the Clayton Cork City Hotel for three days of spirited traditional jazz, with two performances each day on Friday, Saturday and Sunday and special guests joining the celebrations.

Hailing from Belfast, Scott Flanigan is one of the foremost keyboard players on the Irish jazz scene. He performs regularly across the United Kingdom, Ireland, France and Germany, and has recently performed with Van Morrison, the Ulster Orchestra, Larry Coryell, Jean Toussaint, Jim Mullen and Linley Hamilton. As a leader, Scott successfully tours his own contemporary piano trio, as well as a hard-driving organ group. He also runs the successful Scott’s Jazz Club in East Belfast, a weekly jazz club bringing the best in Irish jazz to local audiences.