We're less than two weeks away from what should be a particularly excellent Derry Jazz And Big Band Festival. Always a major highlight on the city's musical calendar, this year global star Jamie Cullum is the prime pick of five days of jazz, jump, jive, swing, and blues, delivered by some of the best artists in the business.
Cullum, who is interviewed in the current issue of Hot Press, plays the Millennium Forum on Monday May 4. He has invited the St Mary’s College Choir to support him live on stage, having in on the choir last year for a jamming session as part of the BBC Radio 4 Piano Pilgrimage series.
Festivals and Events manager with Derry City Council, Karan Leonard, says:
“We are delighted to welcome Jamie Cullum, who is of course recognised as one of the most exciting young jazz artists on the music scene. I know Jamie will attract a diverse range of music lovers to the festival, as he’s well known for his unique jazz interpretations of current music.
“The programme this year offers music lovers of all ages the chance to sample a wide array of musical genres," she continues, "Performed by the highest calibre of artists including Louis Stewart, Charlie Wood and Camilla George. Local talent is well represented as always with performers such as David Lyttle, Dave Martin and John Leighton, and we have some international artists who will be travelling from across Europe and as far away as the US.”
The Festival opens on International Jazz Day (April 30) and between 6pm – 8pm a series of indoor and outdoor sets will take place at the Guildhall featuring the Paul McIntyre Trio, Gay McIntyre, George Hasson, John and Fiona Trotter, and lots more.
Not only that, organisers are running a competition for a VIP package that includes 3 nights hotel accommodation and tickets to all the headliners, including Jamie Cullum. Click here to enter.
For further details, go to [link]cityofderryjazzfestival.com[/link]