Jazz what the doctor ordered

The Imperial Hotel is once again set to be one of the liveliest places to be during the Guinness Cork Jazz Festival.

With 25 live performances across three jam packed days, the landmark hotel on the South Mall will be absolutely hopping this year.

From 23-25 October, Helena’s Restaurant and Fitzgerald’s Bar will transform into jazz central, with an exciting line-up of live gigs running from afternoon until late, spanning jazz, swing, soul, brass, and funk as part of the official Guinness Cork Jazz Festival Trail.

The programme features festival favourites The Swing Cats, Hyde Park Brass, The Off Beats, Manic Jazz Preachers, Soul Driven, Sway, Code of Behaviour, The Swing Bandits, The Roaring Forties, The Tomcats, Ladies Who Lunch, Emily Donoghue Duo, The Songstress Quintet, and more.

Situated in the heart of Cork city, The Imperial Hotel is well placed for the jazz festival and is within easy walking distance of all major city venues.

Lorraine Gavigan, general manager of The Imperial Hotel, said: “There is nothing quite like Cork during Guinness Cork Jazz Festival weekend. The whole city has an electric atmosphere.”

The bank holiday entertainment kicks off on 23 October (the Friday) with the Emily Donoghue Duo opening Helena’s Restaurant from 2.30-4.30pm, followed by The Swing Cats from 5-7pm, Hyde Park Brass from 7.30-9.30pm, and The Off Beats from 10pm until midnight.

Over in Fitzgerald’s Bar, The Roaring Forties perform from 3-5pm, followed by The Tomcats from 5.30-7.30pm, and Ladies Who Lunch from 8-10pm. The Songstress Quintet will keep the music going from 10.30pm-12.30am.

On the Saturday, Manic Jazz Preachers get things started in Helena’s from 2.30-4.30pm, followed by The Off Beats from 5-7pm, Soul Driven from 7.30-9.30pm, and Sway from 10pm until midnight.