After moving online for 2020, Edinburgh Jazz & Blues Festival is back for 2021 with an exciting programme showcasing the amazing music coming out of Scotland whilst welcoming audiences online and in person.
From Fri 16 – Sun 25 July, the festival will feature:
20 concerts livestreamed in front of a small, live audience at Assembly Roxy 20 pre-recorded concerts including seven specially-created EXPO projects Jazz for Kids sessions Online workshops as part of the Edinburgh Napier University Jazz Summer School
The programme will celebrate Scottish talent, looking to the future with brand new commissions, and welcoming concerts from our friends across the globe with appearances from Davina & the Vagabonds, Stacy Mitchhart, Soweto Kinch, Hamish Stuart, Tim Garland and Zoe Rahman.
Concerts will be sold individually, but audiences can buy a Festival Pass for £40 that gives access to all online content as well as a few exclusive extras.
With a focus on new commissions and new collaborations, modern jazz fans can expect a real treat. Our 2019 cover star Soweto Kinch presents two concerts, Laura Macdonald leads a sensational female fronted band which includes pianist Zoe Rahman and Helena Kay, and Brian Kellock’s trio makes a rare appearance. Players from the young hot Scottish jazz scene also feature from Fergus McCreadie’s collaboration with Tim Garland and a new band from Graham Costello. Still in his early 20s, the inspirational composer Mark Hendry presents the world premiere of a new piece focussing on environmental destruction and Matt Carmichael, our 2021 cover star, unveils a new band
Stacy Mitchhart, Sandy Tweeddale, Nicole Smit, Safehouse,Lyndon Anderson, Grainne Duffy, Redfish, Dana Dixon, John Bruce, Jed Potts, Charlotte Marshall and Jensen Interceptors headline a blues programme which ranges from driving Chicago blues to country delta blues and all points in between.
Festival favourites Jacqui Dankworth, George Cécile, Seonaid Aitken and Alison Burns deliver a wide ranging mix of vocal fireworks. Ali Affleck transports us to early New Orleans, Luca Manning is joined by friends old and new whilst Davina & The Vagabonds play a concert from Minnesota, dreaming of being in Edinburgh.
Paying homage to Edinburgh’s iconic Jazz Bar, Glamour and the Babes and Swampfrog deliver a double bill, ex-Average White Band singer, Hamish Stuart joins Scottish new 12 piece band TheTomorrow Band. Funkmesiter, Aki Remally unveils a new band and a new set, whilst Brass Gumbo deliver Beatles tunes with their funky New Orleans licks.
The festival presents Jazz for Kids, courtesy of Sue McKenzie and delves into the early days of jazz with the Scottish Jazz Archive and Tenement Jazz Band and explores early blues with Blind Boy Paxton.
The Edinburgh Festival Carnival returns with a three day (16-18 July) online programme featuring international and Scottish artists including musicians, dancers, poets, acrobats, jugglers and cooks. The programme will feature a vibrant mix of performances and workshops. The full Carnival programme will be released on Tuesday 22 June.
More at edinburghjazzfestival.com and on social media
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