Jeff Mills Brings Jazz Fusion to Cork’s Jazz Festival

Jeff Mills, the legendary figure in electronic music, is set to return to Cork on October 26, 2023, bringing his innovative project, Tomorrow Comes the Harvest, to the Opera House as part of the city’s renowned Jazz Festival. This performance marks a significant moment for Mills, who first appeared in Cork nearly three decades ago, introducing his acclaimed Liquid Room set, a combination of minimalist house music that has since been celebrated as a “techno bible.”

Reflecting on that initial Cork experience in 1996, Mills recalls, “I did not know much about Cork and Ireland… The Liquid Room recording is very interesting because that was the music that I was taking everywhere.” The performance at the Liquid Room in Tokyo featured a mix of tracks from Mills and other influential artists, showcasing a diverse array of sounds from around the world.

Now, nearly thirty years later, Mills is excited to present a different musical journey. Tomorrow Comes the Harvest began as a collaborative effort with the late afrobeat drummer, Tony Allen, and has evolved into a semi-improvised fusion of jazz, funk, and ambient elements. The project will soon release a new album, The Forbidden Planet, scheduled for launch in February 2024.

What distinguishes Tomorrow Comes the Harvest is its commitment to spontaneity. Mills collaborates with Indian tabla player Prabhu Edouard and Guyanese keyboardist Jean-Phi Dary, creating a unique performance each night. “No two concerts are the same,” Mills explains. The trio engages with the audience, allowing the atmosphere to influence their music, which can shift from a groove to a jazz instrumental at any moment.

The essence of this project aligns with the spirit of jazz, characterized by freedom and exploration. Mills describes it as a blend of various genres, stating, “Is it classic jazz? It could be. Is it electronic music? It could be.” His aim is to encourage audiences to be present and fully engaged, resisting the distractions of modern culture. “You’re able to express yourself in the moment,” he adds, emphasizing the importance of immersing oneself in the music without the burden of future consequences.

Human connection is also a central theme in Mills’s work. Despite their diverse backgrounds—Mills hailing from the American Midwest, Dary from France, and Edouard from India—the musicians aim to bridge cultural gaps through their art. Performing at the Guinness Cork Jazz Festival, they embody the notion of unity through music. “Finding ways to be able to connect to people that you did not grow up with… that’s something very special,” Mills observes.

Mills, who emerged from the pioneering Detroit techno scene alongside artists like Derrick May and Juan Atkins, reflects on the historical context of their contributions. While their influence on the dance music revolution in Europe is well-documented, he notes that their significance was often overlooked in the United States. “In America, we have this bad habit of not paying attention and not giving certain things recognition when they come from certain people,” he says, highlighting the racial divides that have long influenced the music industry.

As Mills observes the evolving landscape of music technology, he expresses a mixture of excitement and caution regarding the rise of artificial intelligence in music creation. “It’s frightening and exciting,” he notes, recognizing the potential impact of AI on the future of music. He believes that artists must adapt and find new ways to remain relevant.

In his upcoming performance, Mills invites audiences to experience the thrill of live music in its most organic form, encouraging them to embrace the present moment. As he prepares to take the stage once more in Cork, the anticipation builds for an unforgettable evening of improvisation and connection.