Curtain closes on Derry's Jazz Festival
The Jazz and Big Band Festival drew music lovers from far and wide for the biggest celebration of jazz in the country
The streets of Londonderry were well and truly swinging this weekend as the City of Derry Jazz and Big Band Festival drew music lovers from far and wide for the biggest celebration of jazz in the country.
The event, which is now in its 22nd year, has become one of the biggest talent showcases for both established and up and coming jazz performers, both local and international.
The Council has said early indications are that even more music fans turned out this year despite the showers.
Tens of thousands flocked to catch both old favourites and exciting new rising stars as venues across the city threw open their doors for five days of non-stop entertainment.
Among the popular acts featuring at the festival this year were Mission Impossible, the Jaydee Brass Band, Luke Thomas & The Swing Cats, The Jiveoholics, the Red Stripe Band and many more favourites.
Serious jazz fans enjoyed an array of notable names from the jazz circuit including Gene Calderazzo, Hannes Riepler, Joel Frahm and Michael Barkley and Paul McIntyre. Local performers shared the stage with musicians from right across the globe and 2,000 local children even got in on the action with jazz masterclasses and performances at schools and in the Guildhall Square.
Looking back on the weekend, Head of Culture with Derry City and Strabane District Council, Aeidin McCarter, said it had been a great success.
She said:“Every year we keep our fingers crossed that we’ve got the programme right and that it will appeal to a wide range of music lovers. Once again we weren’t disappointed and the city was swinging from start to finish. We get fantastic feedback from the artists each year, and I think it’s a real testament to the festival that so many of them make this an annual trip.
“It’s been extra challenging this year with everyone feeling the effects of the current financial pressures – but the event provides a vital boost to the local economy as we head into the summer season. Because so many of the events are free it’s accessible to everyone, which brings its own benefits in terms of offering everyone the chance to enjoy the live music experience. Thank you to everyone who made it such a success.”
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