A programme of classic and contemporary big band music, including compositions and arrangements by Cormac McCarthy, and CSM students and alumni.’

Established in 1992 by John O’Connor, the CSM Jazz Big Band soon became an integral part of the Irish Jazz scene, earning a reputation as a breeding ground for many of the country’s top jazz and studio musicians. The band has toured extensively throughout Europe, performing and participating in workshops at many leading international jazz festivals including; The Wigan International Jazz Festival, The North Sea Jazz Festival, Jazz á Juan – festival de jazz á Antibes, Juan-Le-Pins and The Cork International Jazz Festival, where the band is an annual feature. In addition, the band has embarked on three standout tours to the US – New York (2002) and Chicago (2006). Most recently, in the Spring of this 2017, the band traveled to New York City for a week of gigs and masterclasses, culminating in a performance at the iconic Jazz Standard club. In so doing, the CSM Jazz Big Band became the first Irish Large Jazz Ensemble to perform at any of the ‘Big 5’ New York jazz clubs. Other band highlights include performances and clinics with such jazz luminaries as Kenny Werner, John Faddis, Bobby Watson, Dick Oatts and Loren Schoenberg. With many alumni members having gone on to perform and record with leading jazz ensembles across the globe, the CSM Jazz Big Band offers students an outstanding opportunity to develop their skills in an exhilarating and inspiring setting.