Grammy award-nominated gospel group the Blind Boys of Alabama, who have been together for more than 60 years, are to appear in Cork this weekend at the annual jazz festival.
The Blind Boys of Alabama have turned the fact that all but one member of the group is visually impaired into a huge selling point.
The group didn't taste mainstream success until 1988 when they starred in the Obie Award-winning musical Gospel. Since then, they have appeared on numerous jazz shows and developed a following among teenagers after they appeared on the youth-oriented programme Beverly Hills 90210.
Meanwhile, Panamanian pianist Danilo Perez has dropped out of the festival because of the terrorist attack in the US on September 11th.
A US Navy band also had to withdraw at the last minute because of poor weather conditions for flying.
Guinness Cork Jazz Festival committee member Mr Pat Horgan said last-minute cancellations were inevitable at an event of this magnitude.
"Of course people are reluctant to travel this year. But we always have crisis cancellations with headliners. Fortunately, the festival organisers are adept at finding someone suitable to take their place."
The festival will have fringe events this year, including the screening of jazz films at the Kino cinema. Films focus on the work of producer/director Don McGlynn, who has made prizewinning documentaries about some of the most important figures in jazz.
Junior classes will be held at the Cork School of Music.