Anyone whos ever been to Cork for the Guinness Jazz Festival knows theres one key trait you need for the three days stamina. With over 50 venues all within ten minutes of the city centre, the only reason taxi drivers do any business is that most October Bank Holiday weekends are wet and windy, and this one looks like being no exception. But thats the beauty of the jazz festival and Cork city, your weekend seems to be a whirlwind of running from venue to venue, even though theyre only across the road from each other. Festival fans will know all the regular haunts but there are some new venues on the trail this year well worth a look spread across an area stretching from the Clarion Hotel right down to the Idle Hour across the Lee. In between is the Boardwalk Bar & Grill, while on the ground floor of Irelands tallest building the Elysian is El Vinos. The venue making the most buzz down this end of town is the revamped Sextant Bar on Albert Quay. Taken over by the guys who had the Bodega as a club this time last year, the traditional bar has become a famous Friday after-work spot since it re-opened in the spring particularly on the first Friday of every month when it offers free pig on a spit and the last Friday when as it says it does Fishy Friday the same as the pig, only fish! They reckon the jazz crowd deserve that too so Sunday afternoon at 5.30pm will see jazz and a full free pig on the spit specially for all visitors. Live jazz all weekend. Another great revamped location opening for the first time this weekend is the legendary Savoy live-music/ club in the heart of the city centre on Patrick Street. Youve already missed Imelda May who is sold out on Saturday night, but you can horseshoe your way into the club after the gig from 11.30pm and party on until the early hours. Friday doors open at 9pm with a free gig with the Cork Footwarmers, followed by Gary Baus playing jazz and big band sounds, followed in turn by the club at 11.30pm, free if youre in for the 9pm gig. No trip to Cork is complete without a trip to the HiB. Hidden upstairs across the road from the GPO, youve two challenges: find it and get served. Thursday, October 22, 2009 metrolifeextra 17 OutofOffice just visit www.d4hotels.ie for more details and booking Tel. 01 637 9362 The One Stop Party Place Join us for festive party nights at D4 and enjoy Christmas in the beautiful settings of the Ballsbridge Inn and the D4 Berkeley. Ballsbridge Inn Sumptuous four-course menu, glass of bubbly, music from the Glitterbugs plus DJ afterwards and bar extension all for just 49.00 per person D4 Berkeley Grosvenor Sumptuous four-course menu, glass of bubbly, music from Knightshift plus DJ afterwards and bar extension all for just 59.00 per person Christmas withD4 PUTTING CORK ON THE MAP Plus, who complete the double opening headline act. The Everyman Theatre is where youll find most of the other headliners, including Al Di Meola and his New World Sinfonia, early on Saturday. The New Jersey guitar genius is world famous for his technical mastery and extreme fast guitar solos. His speed is amazing, picking out every note. He has been very influential with both jazz and rock guitarists everywhere and has won Guitar Player Maga- zines reader poll four times in the Best Jazz Guitarist category. This will be his first time in Ireland with his stunning band. Al plays a double bill on Saturday with the 13-piece Balkan jazz ensemble Yurodni. Saturday On Saturday night, the Everyman plays host to the Monty Alexander Trio. In a career that spans more than four decades, legendary pianist Monty Alexander has spent a lifetime exploring the rich depths of musical and cultural diversity. He has performed and/or recorded with artists from every corner of the musical universe: Frank Sinatra, Ray Brown, Dizzy Gillespie, Sonny Rollins, Quincy Jones and many more. Monty maintains an especially busy worldwide schedule with multiple projects spanning different genres and styles, from assisting Natalie Cole in crafting a tribute album to her father, Nat King Cole (the album, Unforgettable, won seven Grammy awards) to making movie music with Clint Eastwood. Montys Trio play a double header with Kurt Elling, who the New York Times described as the standout male jazz vocalist of our times. Kurts rich baritone voice spans four octaves and displays an astonishing technical facility and emotional depth. Sunday Sundays daytime headliner is a weekend 1. Everyman Theatre 2. The Savoy 3. The Firkin Crane 4. Triskel At Jurys Cork 5. Guinness Festival Club (at the Met) 6. The Pavilion 7. Cyprus Avenue 8. Reardens 9. Crane Lane 10. Old Oak THE VENUES award-winning multi-instrumentalist, composer and writer Gilad Atzmon and his Jazz Quartet. The Israeli is one of Europes brightest stars, developing an astonishing range of innovative jazz projects, and his latest quartet featuring his long- time pianist Frank Harrison breaks new ground yet again. Gilad shares his headline slot with The Ripple Effect and Jack De- Johnette, widely regarded as one of jazz musics greatest drummers. Check out some of his stuff on YouTube your eyes will struggle to keep up with your ears. On Sunday night, the Tiger Woods of jazz piano, 22-year-old piano prodigy Eldar takes to the stage. Born in Bishkek, Kyrgystan, a former Soviet republic, Eldar began his studies at the age of three and it was quickly apparent that this child had a special talent. At nine, he performed at a jazz festival in Novosibirsk, Siberia; immigrated to America at 12, and has dazzled fans and critics with his extraordinary technique ever since. Eldar plays a double bill with the legendary saxophonist Pharoah Sanders. Munster rugby players Frankie Sheehan, Ronan OGara and former Leinster rugby player Dennis Hickey pictured at the Sextant bar on Corks Albert Quay Picture: Diane Cusack ensemble for proof head to the Everyman on Friday night. Friday Night Helping get things underway is award-winning jazz trio The Bad LADS NIGHT OUT index.html2.html3.html4.html5.html6.html7.html8.html9.html10.html11.html12.html13.html14.html15.html16.html17.html18.html19.html20.html21.html22.html23.html24.html25.html26.html27.html