Women are set to make a major mark on this year's Guinness Cork Jazz Festival, with some exciting names in contemporary music among the artists coming to Cork for the October Bank Holiday weekend.
The 2026 programme features Cork native Annie Mac, British jazz saxophonist Jasmine Myra, American singer-songwriter and guitarist Margaret Glaspy, drummer Momoko Gill, Greek pop artist Σtella and acclaimed Irish guitarist Muireann Bradley.
Also bringing a strong female presence to the festival is KOKOROKO, the London collective co-led by trumpeter, flugelhorn player and vocalist Sheila Maurice-Grey. The group, whose music draws on jazz, Afrobeat, funk and West African influences, will perform at The Everyman.
The festival, which runs from October 22 to 26, will see Annie Mac return to Cork Opera House on Friday, October 23, while Maizie Williams of Boney M performs the following evening.
Σtella will perform her debut Cork show in an intimate duo format at Live at St Luke’s which is almost sold out.
At Triskel Arts Centre, Jasmine Myra will present her contemporary jazz sound, while Margaret Glaspy brings her distinctive guitar-led songwriting to Cyprus Avenue.
New artists just announced include Jaz Karis, a fast rising UK RnB star who is helping to lead the way in the exciting Neo-Soul RnB scene across the UK, 2FM Rising star Jessica Doolan who will be performing her Cork debut, Cork singer rapper and trumpet player Diamond and neo-soul singer Melina Malone.
There is also a strong Irish presence across the programme, with Tolü Makay, Maya Libbey, Toshín, Tara Kumar, Tyra-Lee Spry, Aisling, Winnie Ama and Solène Laurence among the artists listed for this year's festival.
For Muireann Bradley, the festival appearance comes as her reputation as one of Ireland's most distinctive young guitarists continues to grow. She will perform at Live at St Luke's on Saturday, October 24.
But the contribution of women to Cork Jazz extends beyond the artists appearing on stage.
Fiona Collins, chair of the Cork Jazz Festival Committee, has been part of the festival's story for many years, having first become involved as a volunteer after discovering jazz through her mother. Collins has since become one of the familiar figures behind the festival's community programme, including the Big Fringe, which brings free music and performances onto the streets of Cork.
Describing the importance of the Fringe, she said: “The Big Fringe is a big part of the heart and soul of the festival, where music spills onto the streets, bringing spontaneous, free performances that everyone can enjoy.”
That combination of major international acts and music embedded in the city is at the heart of Cork Jazz's appeal.
And this year's female presence offers a broad snapshot of contemporary music - from Annie Mac's electronic and DJ world to Jasmine Myra's modern jazz, KOKOROKO's Afrobeat-infused sound, Margaret Glaspy's guitar-driven songwriting and Muireann Bradley's remarkable fingerstyle playing.
Guinness Cork Jazz Festival 2026 takes place from 22–26 October.
Tickets are now on sale at guinnesscorkjazzfestival.com, with further artists still to be announced.
For more, follow @guinnesscorkjazz and #GuinnessCorkJazz. The Guinness Cork Jazz Festival is supported by Diageo, Fáilte Ireland, Cork City Council and Cork Airport.
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