The death has been announced of Cork Jazz Festival co-founder Pearse Harvey, after a long illness. Pearse Harvey accompanying Ella Fitzgerald off the plane in Cork as she arrived for the jazz festival in 1980. When the great jazz pianist eventually did make it, Harvey recalled a wary figure who took time to warm to the Cork organisers. Perhaps the highlight of Harvey’s time with the festival was when he was despatched to London to accompany Ella Fitzgerald to Cork. She also had a really good rapport with the audience and they loved her.”Pearse Harvey, centre, with other members of the Guinness Cork Jazz Festival organising committee at a 25th anniversary celebration in 2002.

Source: Irish Examiner January 15, 2026 13:07 UTC