PRESS RELEASE

BIG RIVER BLUES AND JAZZ FESTIVAL

The ‘Big River Blues and Jazz Festival’ which takes place from 21st - 25th of August is back, bigger and better than ever! Drawing on last year’s success, the 2008 festival, which again is sponsored by Guinness, will see an expansion of major venues to cope with the demand and increased numbers. The exciting new line-up is now being finalized. There will be over 170 musicians and artists, who are set to transform the City, as Belfast’s historical St. George's Market, Cathedral Quarter, Laganside area, Mandela Hall, and surrounding venues will create a shared space that will attract people from across Belfast, and beyond.

This year’s festival will feature musical performances and collaborations from a variety of US, Irish, British, European Blues, Soul and Jazz musicians. American Icon and Soul man No1 Steve Cropper (from Booker T & The MG’s and the Blues Brothers) will headline on the Friday night at Mandela Hall, along with British Blues Rock legends The Animals. Milo Z and his 8 piece R&B Soul extravaganza will also fly in from New York City for this historical event.

Nine Below Zero return as part of the Rory Gallagher Tribute concert, and Woodstock legends Ten Years After return to the city after a 39 year Belfast break.  Northern Ireland’s own guitarist extraordinaire Henry McCullough (Paul McCartney’s Wings) will also perform. World class Jazz exponent’s Jason Rebello and Tommy Smith, will take the stage at the Black Box Theatre, finishing off the night with a performance by the UK’s No1 swing band, The Jive Aces.

The Big River Blues & Jazz festival is designed to showcase not only international talent, but also to create awareness for local musicians who have spent the biggest part of their lives keeping the very fabric of the blues and Jazz scene alive in the city. Local musicians on the bill include internationally acclaimed bluesman Rab McCullough, the ever entertaining Blues/Soul aficionado Lee Hedley, Modern Jazz exponent Linley Hamilton, singer / songwriter Cara Robinson and guitarist extraordinaire Ronnie Greer, to name a few. This historical event will collaborate Northern Ireland’s home grown talent with legendary American artists.” 

The Big River Blues & Jazz Festival will also host a prestigious International Music Awards Ceremony, at St. George's Market and Mandela Hall to celebrate and honour some of the community’s finest musicians / artists. Internationally renowned photographer Fin Costello, will showcase some of his iconic photographs of Jimi Hendrix, The Rolling Stones and a Rory Gallagher exhibition at St George’s Market, whilst local artists Mark Ervine and Danny Deveney, who work tirelessly in cross community projects and have received international acclaim with their murals, will be exhibiting their latest work featuring a series of original paintings and specially designed drapes that will reflect the history of our local music scene, as part of ‘Remembering The Greats’ Tribute Concert featuring (Rory Gallagher, Jim Daly, Sam Mahood, etc. Both established, and new emerging artists from all communities will work together to paint these drapes, artists will present and celebrate their work, and showcase what a creative shared future could look like in our new Belfast.

Festival Director James Walsh of The Big River Blues & Jazz Festival says, Quote

“I believe that the success of the event can be used to grow the local music and arts scene and I think it is crucial to preserve local music history. It’s important to recognize, reward musicians & artists for the tremendous contribution they have made to Belfast City and beyond. The festival is also designed to help promote good and better relations between communities, while transforming a once divided city into a vibrant, new dynamic shared place with local and international appeal.