26/04/2007

Maiden City gets Jazzed up for May bank Holiday weekend

The eagerly anticipated 6th Annual City of Derry Jazz and Big Band Festival has been launched today and will welcome some of the music industry’s most celebrated musicians to the city from Thursday 3 to Sunday 6 May.

The crème of jazz and swing are set to descend on the city with some of the best sounds to be found anywhere in the world promising an action packed and fun Bank Holiday weekend.

2007 festival highlights feature the Glenn Miller Orchestra, the unique voice of Ruby Turner – the true diva of soul and gospel; the funky moves of The Jazz Cotech Dancers and the exquisite sound of Bodil Niska, Norway’s premier saxophonist.

Other acts include the Extraordinaires, the Jive Aces, Polly Gibbons, and King Pleasure and the Biscuit Boys. The best of Derry jazz performers such as Claire Sproule and Gay McIntyre will also be performing.

Festival organiser Johnny Murray said he was looking forward to the event.

“The City of Derry Jazz Festival is Northern Ireland’s premier Jazz and Big Band Festival and is fast becoming a major player on the European Jazz Festival scene and is renowned for its fun and exciting Bank Holiday weekend programme. This year’s festival offers a host of top class events and musical performances to suit all tastes," he said.

“With over 150 performances throughout the four-day event it promises to be a very special occasion for music lovers in the city. The city and its people are renowned for their love of music and passion of expression and I am in no doubt that this year’s festival will be another great success for everyone involved.”

The Guinness® Free Jazz Trail is set to light up the city throughout the weekend. Now a core element of the Jazz Festival, the Trail will bring some of the finest musicians in the world to play in some unique settings around Derry, all for free!

Terry Loughins, Sponsorship Manager for Guinness® said: “Guinness is delighted to once again be part of the City of Derry Jazz Festival. It is an event, which has gone from strength to strength over the past few years and we have been delighted to be part of the process. We want to put Jazz, Blues and Folk music at the heart of the community and the brilliant free Jazz Trail does just that.”

The City of Derry Jazz and Big Band Festival is funded by Derry City Council and Guinness, and supported by the BBC and the Northern Ireland Events Company.

A full programme is available at the Tourist Information Centre, Derry City Council Offices, at venues throughout the city, and through the festival website: www.cityofderryjazzfestival.com

(JM/KMcA)


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