Pianist Seleno Clarke and his hand members Gerald Brazel (trumpet) and Chris Herbert (saxophone) were among the performers helping to get the 41st Guinness Jazz Festival into its rhythm in Cork last night.
While the poor weather means the music will be mainly confined to the growing list of pubs on the jazz trail, the annual parade will still take place This morning through Patrick Street.
The sponsors and organisers are trying to attract a younger audience, mainly through the "G clubmix" - a selection of city pubs and disco venues featuring acid jazz, groove, jungle, hip hop and new electronica. But the old reliables are well represented with Van Morrison's two midnight shows in the Opera House sold out.