The highly-anticipated return of the Derry Jazz and Big Band Festival is set to get into full swing this bank holiday weekend.
This year will see over 400 performances taking place in over 70 venues, most of them free, and the programme has something for everyone, from alfresco concerts to dance workshops.
The festival had to be reduced in 2020 and 2021 due to Covid-19 but it returns this year with a bang across the city.
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The Mayor of Derry City and Strabane District Council, Alderman Graham Warke, kicked things off in fine style yesterday as he welcomed the Jive Aces back to the Guildhall for the first Mayor's Teadance in two years.
The internationally acclaimed Jazz and swing legends are just one of the many bands to return to the city year after year for the Festival which is a major highlight on the jazz circuit.
Among the favourites, this year are Mission Impossible, Mirenda Rosenberg, The Red Stripe Band, Jiveoholics, Buck Taylor, The Jive Aces and Harry Connolly Band to name but a few of the performers.
New faces include Luke Thomas and The Swing Cats, Hyde Park Brass Band, NYJO, Kooskoos, King Pleasure and The Biscuit Boys, Liberal Soul Band and Rusty Jacks.
This year's headliner is Irish blues and soul sensation Imelda May, who will take to the stage in the Millennium Forum on Monday, May 2.
All in all, it’s shaping up to be a busy weekend, as event coordinator with Derry City and Strabane District Council, Andrea Campbell explained.
“The excitement is really setting in now as the final preparations are underway," she said.
"I think this year feels even more special as it’s the first full return of our live festival format and we’ve missed welcoming the bands who make Derry their annual pilgrimage year after year.
"I know from speaking to many of the artists that they just can’t wait to get back as the City of Derry Jazz Festival is their favourite event on the music circuit.
"There’s something for everyone in the programme this year, it’s going to be an amazing weekend. We’re just so delighted to be back.”
You can find out more about the full programme for this year's much-anticipated Jazz Festival return at HERE.
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