City prepares for 10th jazz festival

The launch event provided a tantalising taster of the eclectic musical menu that revellers at the festival will feast on when it takes place over the May Day Bank Holiday weekend from Thursday April 28 until Sunday, May 1.

The Andreas Varady Quartet reminded us just why child prodigy guitar virtuoso Andreas wowed audiences at the festival last year while local musician John Leighton launched his debut album ‘Dramatic Life’ with the support of some of Ireland’s finest musicians – Mark McKnight, David Lyttle, Linley Hamilton, Damien Evans and Leeds vocalist Jess Berry.

Also performing were some of the North West’s upcoming young talent in the form of the WELB Jazz Ensemble and the Foyle College Jazz Ensemble.

This year’s festival will be a celebration of a dazzling decade of success as the City of Derry Jazz and Big Band Festival marks its tenth birthday. Now a staple on the international jazz festival circuit and one of the biggest events on the Irish cultural calendar – over 35,000 visitors enjoyed last year’s event – the festival attracts the biggest names in jazz and showcases our amazing local talent.

When festival organisers Johnny Murray and Gerry McColgan were asked by Derry City Council to check out the feasibility of a new festival for the city they could hardly have imagined that a decade later the City of Derry Jazz and Big Band Festival would be one of Ireland’s most popular cultural events. It’s fitting that one of the great festival favourites is returning for this special tenth celebration. Jools Holland and his Rhythm and Blues Orchestra typify the talent, energy and sheer fun that have made the Derry Jazz and Big Band Festival one of the truly great musical celebrations.

Speaking at the launch event Mayor Colum Eastwood commented: “Over the last decade the City of Derry Jazz and Big Band Festival has grown to become one of the highlights of the social and cultural calendar in the city. This year’s Festival again promises to show the city at its very best, with tourists and visitors along with local people letting their hair down and enjoying everything the first ever UK City of Culture has to offer as we continue our build-up to 2013.” For further information visit www.cityofderryjazzfestival.com or follow updates on the City of Culture2013 Facebook site.