ZASKA is a modern soul artist blending indie jazz, funk, hip-hop, and neo-soul, led by Irish guitarist and producer Max Zaska, known for collaborations with artists like Hozier; influenced by Silk Sonic, Tom Misch, and guitar legends like Wes Montgomery and Carlos Santana, ZASKA creates a unique, high-energy sound, and is renowned for joyous live performances at major venues and festivals including Ronnie Scott’s, Guinness Cork Jazz Festival, and Mladí ladí Jazz in Prague.

As the title suggests, the notion of ‘time’ pulls through the programme like a theme, connecting music from different parts of the world – traditionals, popular songs and original compositions – in performances of deep lyricism but also fleet-footed folklore. The repertory spans Albanian and Kosovan traditionals, American songs as well as originals by Rob and Elina.

Evolving from the acclaimed CEO Experiment – the project co-led nearly ten years ago by Leopoldo Osio and Peter Erdei that injected a fresh energy into the Irish music scene and collaborated with influential American guitarist Kurt Rosenwinkel at the peak of their work– pianist and composer Leopoldo Osio now returns with an exciting new international ensemble. Joining him are Argentinian saxophonist Gianni Gagliardi, Spanish drummer Gonzalo del Val, his long-time Hungarian collaborator Peter Erdei on bass, and the outstanding Cork-based trombonist Paul Dunlea, brought together especially for this occasion.

FIXITY is a project formed by multi-instrumentalist and composer Dan Walsh in 2015. The project is based around the impossibility of repeated moments and manifests in solo and ensemble settings with collaborators from throughout Ireland and beyond.

Nubya Garcia isn’t an artist you can easily classify. Is it jazz? Sure, the London-born saxophonist, composer and bandleader grew up studying the genre under the noted pianist Nikki Yeoh at Camden Music. But it isn’t until you listen to albums like 2020’s Source and 2024’s Odyssey that you hear broader creativity shining through. It’s jazz, classical, dub, R&B and whatever else Garcia wants to convey. It all comes from a place of exploration and self-study, of wanting to do all the things across all disciplines while ignoring arbitrary boxes that don’t fit.

Tomorrow Comes The Harvest is the accumulative efforts of talented musicians and their visions about what makes the art form of music so special, a theory initiated and put into action by late Afro Beat creator and Nigerian Drummer Tony Allen and Detroit Techno’s Jeff Mills.

The longest running jam session in the country hosted by Paul Dunlea returns for an afternoon giving musicians of all levels the opportunity to perform with some of the best musicians at the Cork Heritage Pubs City-Wide Jazz Festival Club.Get in early and bring your axe.!

This is all a part of Cork Heritage Pubs City-Wide Jazz Festival Club 2025, Corks Best Venues & Corks Best Free Gigs

Cork Trombonist/Composer/Arranger, Paul Dunlea concentrates primarily on Jazz and Improvisation. This has furthered his reputation as one of Irelands most in demand musicians.Dunlea has performed/toured/recorded with the likes of Michael Bublé, Cassandra Wilson, 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 Vadsandani, John Clayton, RTE Concert Orchestra, The Dublin City Jazz Orchestra, The New Irish Jazz Orchestra, The Syd Lawrence Orchestra, Hot House Big Band,