A sold-out Speigeltent enjoying the Kyle Eastwood concert. Photo: Lorcan Doherty.
The city’s streets are silent once more after the closing notes sounded last night of the 13th City of Derry Jazz and Big Band Festival.
Tens of thousands flocked to enjoy a packed five day programme of events during the annual musical celebration, with over 60 venues hosting live performances, most of them free.
Some of the biggest names in jazz, including the internationally acclaimed musician and composer Kyle Eastwood, wowed the crowds on Saturday evening in a sell-out concert that raised the roof of the Spiegeltent in the Guildhall Square.
1990s music fans were also treated to a first class performance by pop icon Curtis Stigers on Sunday night, who held female admirers spellbound throughout a flawless performance of jazz classics and songs from his latest album, Hooray for Love.
Ian Clarkson from the Jive Aces gets the City of Derry Jazz and Big Band Festival finale off to a swingin’ start in Da Vincis Hotel. Photo: Martin McKeown. Inpresspics.com.
Mayor of Derry, Councillor Martin Reilly, said the weekend had been a resounding success for the city.
“I am absolutely delighted that once again people have turned out in their thousands to support this fantastic event, and the atmosphere has been incredible over the weekend,” he declared.
“The Jazz Festival always attracts the very best international and home grown musicians, and the festival has established a reputation for showcasing some of the finest musical talent – which this year included Kyle Eastwood, Curtis Stigers and Kate Rusby.
“I would like to thank everyone who worked so hard to deliver such a great event, which simply couldn’t happen without the extra efforts of a dedicated team due to its sheer scale. And of course I would like to thank the sponsors for allowing us to provide such a wide variety of top class entertainment for free.”
“This event really kickstarts our summer season, and is just a taster of what’s to come as we look forward to Music City Day on June 21 and the LegenDerry Maritime Festival which runs from June 21 – 29.
“With so much going on during our Music City programme for 2014, there’s no better time to visit Derry.”
The festival as always featured an eclectic mix of jazz, jump jive, swing and even folk this year, and crowds were entertained by the Puppini Sisters and the Jive Aces, as well as crowd pleasers The Jiveoholics, Carmen Ghia and the Hotrods, Neil Cowley, Gay McIntyre, Paul McIntyre and David Lyttle.
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