Bray to groove this weekend as 19th Jazz Festival rolls into town

Singer China Moses, who will play this year's Bray Jazz Festival

Independent.ie Newsdesk

THE north Wicklow seaside town of Bray will be alive to the sounds of international jazz next weekend, when it plays host to its annual jazz festival over the May Bank Holiday.

Top American stars including saxophonist Joe Lovano, trumpeter Dave Douglas and soul diva China Moses are amongst the big name acts to play this year’s event, which is the 19th year of the popular music festival.

Bray Jazz is now regarded as one of Europe’s leading boutique jazz festival events, and will also this year feature visiting players from Holland, West Africa, Sweden, Norway, France, Germany and Iceland.

Amongst the notable Irish players to perform will be Belfast-based trumpeter Linley Hamilton, who will debut a new album featuring a 20 piece jazz orchestra.

The festival’s main show will take place at the town’s Mermaid Arts Centre theatre, whle there will also be concerts at several heritage buildings across the town, including Bray Methodist Church, the Town Hall, and at the Novara Road Parochial Centre. Elsewhere, a busy jazz trail programme will feature concerts at bar, hotel, restaurant and club venues across the town.

More than 40 shows will take place over the bank holiday weekend, which is expected to attract upwards of 5,000.

To find out more about this year’s Bray Jazz Festival visit the website