The Boutique Festival In The Back Of Beyond Packing A Bombastic Artistic Punch
The Ballydehob Jazz Festival takes place across the village of Ballydehob, gateway to the Mizen Peninsula in West Cork, Ireland, on the Wild Atlantic Way.
Since its inception in 2007, the Ballydehob Jazz Festival has grown in size and stature. Shortlisted for best West Cork Festival in 2019, each May Bank Holiday weekend the village hosts over 40 live music and dance performances that range from big name concerts to small workshops; from lively pub gigs to intimate side shows and a healthy dose of fringe attractions to compliment.
Ballydehob Jazz Festival recent headliners have included bands from New Orleans (Meschiya Lake & The Little Big Horns) (Stephanie Niles), Paris (Jack & Jills Swing Band) USA (Lake Street Dive) & Berlin (The Good Night Circus). Each year Ballydehob welcomes thousands of visitors to join the infamous Ballydehob New Orleans Jazz Funeral Parade, as well as hosting an international swing dance program.
It is perhaps no wonder that such an amazing event emerged out of this improbable corner of the world. Ballydehob, in West Cork has long been a mecca for artists from all over the world. This ambitious music event is run entirely by volunteers – an eclectic gang of music lovers and festival buffs who share a vision to promote the arts and entertain the masses.
Ballydehob Jazz Festival has against all the odds this year rolled out another outstanding festival programme featuring some of Irelands finest contemporary Jazz artists .
2022 Festival
The Ballydehob Jazz Festival is back on the streets all May Bank Holiday Weekend 2022. The Little Village with the Festive Heart is getting ready to reveal another outstanding programme. There will be a Live Music Trail ( Free) across the village featuring over 30 performances from Irish and International acts ( Fixity, Donal Dineen, Goodnight Circus & more to be announced), Street Art, Jazz & Swing Dance Classes and Performances, all led by Peter Loggins, the foremost historian on American Jazz Dance, Headline Concerts in the Jazz Hall ( including the legendary Karen Underwood and Friends, New York Times acclaimed Tatiana Eva-Marie, a Brooklyn-based singer and bandleader. Accompanied by the Avalon Jazz Band ), a late night Jazz Club “Moonshine Shindig” ft a live performances from the Canibal Dandies (followed by Jazz DJs & Dancing )the spectacular New Orleans Jazz Funeral Parade, Street Circus Performers, A Food & Crafts Market. This year we launch the first Ballydehob Jazz Poetry Slam featuring some of Irelands finest young poets and spoken words artists including David Jackson, Katie Mathúna Pól O Cólmáin & more. The Ballydehob Jazz Festival is also very excited to announce that we have commissioned Shane O Driscoll (Ardú) to collaborate in designing a site specific micro mural programme within Ballydehob in 2022 launching at the Jazz Festival.
All of the events take place in Ballydehob Village over the May Bank Holiday Weekend.
THE BALLYDEHOB JAZZ FESTIVAL COMMITTEE.
Contact | Artistic Director | Joseph O’Leary | ballydehobjazz@gmail.com
BJF was the inspiration and work of local resident John Fagan and a small community group. The event grew in size over the first two years however John decided to step down in 2010 and a new committee was formed. John sadly passed away in 2017 and we are eternally grateful for his vision, passion for developing and promoting what is now an annually anticipated event.
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