Derry's got sax appeal

Members of the the Jaydee Brass Band keep a nervous eye on Ferryquay Gate as they play on an opentop bus as they make a welcome return for this years City of Derry Jazz and Big Band Festival. Picture Martin McKeown. Inpresspics.com. 28.04.16c

Tens of thousands of people are expected to descend upon the city this weekend for the 15th City of Derry Jazz and Big Band Festival.

The latest figures provided by Visit Derry revealed an 89 per cent occupancy rate for local hotels for Friday, Saturday and Sunday nights. The hotel room occupancy rate for tomorrow night alone is 99 per cent. “It looks like it is going to be the biggest weekend in the city to date so far this year,” said Visit Derry General Manager, Odhran Dunne.

“The City of Derry Jazz and Big Band Festival is one of the city’s most established calendar events and it’s one everyone looks forward to. It’s sure to be a great weekend with more than 200 different acts performing in more than 70 different venues throughout the city. We are hoping that approximately 40,000 people will attend the festival,” added Mr. Dunne. Mayor of Derry and Strabane, Councillor Elisha McCallion, said she expected the city to be “buzzing.”

“This weekend our city will be absolutely buzzing as the jam packed programme of first class music kicks-off. The festival has already become a huge event, but 2016 promises to be something extra special,” said Mayor McCallion.

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