The Crown Jools

ALL ROADS lead to Cork this weekend as the city plays host to one of the undisputed highlights of the Irish musical calendar, the Guinness Jazz Festival.

The Festival organisers have always prided themselves on showcasing the widest range of talent possible and this year's line-up is as diverse as ever with legendary Cleveland trumpeter Benny Bailey, German composer Klaus Ignatzek and Japan's answer to Lester Young, Satoru Oda, among those flying in to join the party.

While festival goers are very much spoilt for choice, particular excitement surrounds The Jools Holland Big Band's Saturday night appearance at the Cork Opera House supported by the UK's leading posse of zoo-suited jumping jivers, King Pleasure And The Biscuit Boys.

He may have shot to fame during the punk era as a member of London wide boys Squeeze but Holland's roots are firmly planted in jazz, having learnt to play boogie woogie piano at the tender age of eight and becoming a regular on the capital's live circuit before he'd even reached his teens.

His career has gradually diversified into television, first as host of The Tube and Juke Box Jury, and more recently as the driving force behind BBC 2's critically acclaimed Later With Jools Holland.

Along the way, he's managed to play with top artists like Al Green, Sting, Sam Brown, Dr John, The The, Alison Moyet, George Harrison, Joe Cocker, The Fine Young Cannibals and Elvis Costello, and last year released his own instrumental album, The A - Z Of The Piano.

A natural showman who's never happier than when he's hammering away on stage, Jools formed his own nine piece Big Band in 1990 and since then has spent as much time as his other commitments permit on the road, headlining concerts and festivals throughout Europe. These include regular visits to Ireland and in September, Holland and his colleagues brewed up such a storm at the Dublin Olympia that a tired and emotional Liam Fay was moved to declare afterwards that he'd never had so much fun with his clothes on. High praise, indeed!

In addition to the main programme, The Guinness Free Jazz Trail offers live music throughout the weekend at over 20 of the city's favourite hostelries and an extended Fringe Festival features a Big Band Band Workshop, a Junior Jazz Concert and a daily Jazz Fair at the Metropole Hotel.

As usual, the Guinness Jazz Action Map provides full details of what's happening where and when and if it's advice on travel or accommodation you're after, Cork/Kerry Tourism on the Grand Parade, 'phone (021) 273251, will be only too happy to supply the details.

• Tickets for The Jools Holland Big Band and King Pleasure And The Biscuit Boys at Cork Opera House on Saturday October 23rd are available, priced £10, from the Opera House Box Office, the Metropole Festival Club and branches of HMV in Cork and Dublin. Credit Card Bookings call (01) 569569.