Tributes to 'visionary' Cork Jazz Festival founder Jim Mountjoy

Mr Mountjoy had the lightbulb moment that jazz fans would fill rooms left vacant after the cancellation of a bridge event at the Metropole Hotel where he worked in marketing at the time.

By 1980, the young Corkman was greeting all-time great Ella Fitzgerald at Cork Airport for her turn on stage.

Harry Connolly, jazz musician and founding committee member, remembers those early days fondly.

“He was a very approachable guy,” Mr Connolly said. 

He had a fantastic outlook really, nothing was ever a problem for him. 

"He always dealt with people honestly and fairly. He would keep in touch down the line later.” 

He highlighted Mr Mountjoy’s legacy, saying it has been "an amazing journey really from nowhere” for jazz music in Ireland. 

“It’s been a catalyst for lots of things,” Mr Connolly said. "It’s been fantastic for the city, nothing short of phenomenal because October was always a quiet month. 

"Artistically, jazz standards increased, everybody was trying to get better at what they do.” 

In an interview with the Irish Examiner in 2018, Mr Mountjoy set out his philosophy. 

 “The way I looked at it, you had to sell Ireland, you had to sell Cork, and you had to sell the jazz festival," he said. 

Guinness Cork Jazz Festival committee chair Fiona Collins expressed her sympathies on behalf of the committee. 

"He was intrinsically involved in the earlier festivals chaperoning international superstars such as Ella Fitzgerald and Benny Goodman to name a few during their visits to the real Capital of Jazz," she said. 

"He was very proud of the city and what it could offer and achieve with just a small bit of vision, cooperation and hard work. It was his vision and that of the other pioneering committee members and a wonderful sponsor that took the jazz festival from humble beginnings to what it is today. 

"Rest in Peace Jim, we hope that you enjoy jazzing it up with all the many friends and acquaintances that you met along the way."

Cork Business Association president and MD of the Metropole Aaron Mansworth also marked his passing. He said: 

Jim was a visionary leader whose contributions to Cork’s business and cultural landscape have left an enduring legacy. 

“We now have one of the country’s biggest festivals, thanks to Jim and his peers. We extend our heartfelt condolences to Jim’s family and friends. His impact will be felt for generations to come and he will be greatly missed.” 

Irish Examiner Arts/Culture Editor Des O’Driscoll said: “Cork owes a huge debt to Jim Mountjoy.

“He was the non-jazz fan who had the vision to create one of Europe’s greatest jazz festivals, an event that’s still bringing great music to city all these decades later. 

"Under Jim’s oversight, the festival established a reputation for putting on world-class acts, and also providing a fun weekend for those who weren’t hardcore jazz fans."