Curtis Stigers swings in to Derry for Jazz Festival silver celebrations!
30 April 2026
Internationally renowned Jazz artist Curtis Stigers was in Derry today to launch the silver anniversary edition of the City of Derry Jazz and Big Band Festival.
For 25 years the event has been providing top class entertainment, showcasing the very best in homegrown and international talent. The festival has grown from humble beginnings, with numbers rising from 6,000 visitors in 2001, to over 100,000 today - a real testament to its success.
Curtis Stigers makes a welcome return to the festival where he will headline this evening at the Millennium Forum, while Donegal singing sensation Muireann Bradley makes an appearance at the Guildhall tomorrow night. He was joined by Council’s Jazz Festival Co-ordinator Aisling McCallion who said the stage was set for a phenomenal weekend.
“It was a real pleasure to welcome Curtis Stigers to the city to head up our programme this year, and a very special milestone for the jazz festival. He will be joined by a whole host of talent over the weekend, with something for everyone on the programme. The excitement is already building and the entire city will be swinging with music on every street corner. We’re looking forward to an unforgettable few days.”
Organised by Derry City and Strabane District Council, with support from Diageo and Share Energy, the City of Derry Jazz Festival continues right through the Bank Holiday weekend, with concerts, dance and music workshops, alfresco performances and wall to wall show-stopping talent.
For information on all that’s happening and to plan your weekend go to www.cityofderryjazzfestival.com