Thousands of jazz enthusiasts poured into Cork at the weekend for the Guinness Jazz Festival, with the city benefiting by more than €25 million as a result of the festivities.
Violinist Nigel Kennedy was due to play a set with his jazz quintet last Friday night but had to withdraw after breaking an arm in a cycling accident. However, the impressive line-up included Branford Marsalis, Jimmy Scott, Randy Weston, the Mingus Dynasty Band and Courtney Pine.
The rain failed to dampen the spirit of the fans - on Friday night they flocked to see the foot stomping Harlem Gospel Choir at the Opera House.
Saturday's highlights included Courtney Pine at the Opera House and the Benny Golson All Stars at the Everyman Palace.
Last night, the legendary Jimmy Scott topped the bill at the Everyman Palace. The jazz singer with the high, ethereal voice has a number of high-profile fans, including Bono, Lou Reed and Madonna.
The first Cork jazz festival took place in 1978. Jazz buff Pearse Harvey suggested the idea of the festival to Jim Mountjoy, who was marketing manager of the Metropole Hotel at the time. Players Wills sponsored the event to the tune of just £5,000.
Since then, the festival has hosted many jazz greats, including Oscar Peterson, Dizzy Gillespie, Lionel Hampton and Buddy Rich. This weekend, some 1,000 musicians from more than 30 countries entertained fans in more than 80 venues citywide.
Visitors included jazz fans from as far away as Abu Dhabi, South Africa and Australia. An estimated 40,000 visitors came to the city for the festival.
Tickets are on sale at all the major Cork theatres for today's gigs. The Metropole Hotel will be the hub of the final day's action, with performances taking place on six stages throughout the day and into the night.