The Stooges Brass Band
The 2012 Edinburgh Jazz and Blues Festival welcomes an outstanding line-up of musicians from home and abroad to celebrate 10 days of jazz and blues that’s open and accessible. Embracing music of the highest artistic quality and music that’s played for partying, there’s sophistication and simple pleasures.
We also welcome a new venue.Joining the already impressive list across the city is the Edinburgh Festival Theatre, which this year will be home to some of the festival’s eagerly anticipated performances. The programme includes Dr John – the veteran New Orleans musical ambassador, enjoying a new lease of musical life following his collaboration with Dan Auerbach of The Black Keys. Plus the only UK performance by The Manhattan Transfer, the world’s premier vocal group, and the Kyle Eastwood Band – extraordinary bassist (as well as Clint’s son) – with the incomparable guitarist Martin Taylor playing an opening set.
Scottish Jazz Expo
The World Jazz Orchestra will be the highlight of the Scottish Jazz Expo. Playing the music of Duke Ellington and featuring musicians from every continent, it will be directed by Scotland’s greatest jazz musician, Joe Temperley (the only non-American in the Lincoln Center Jazz Orchestra). It also features special guest, Cecile McLorin Salvant – the award-winning young American singer.
The Scottish Jazz Expo – a series of international collaborations, made possible for the past three years by the support of the Scottish Government. This year’s Expo is also being supported by Event Scotland, Scottish Enterprise and City of Edinburgh Council. It provides Scottish musicians with superb opportunities to present new and creative work, particularly international collaborations, such as:
The Edinburgh Jazz Festival Orchestra, with eight Scottish and eight international musicians, will play the music of Gil Evans in his centenary year, including the classic Sketches of Spain by Miles Davis, featuring Tim Hagans.
Further Expo highlights include Laura Macdonald with Swedish musicians, Ruaridh Pattison with musicians from Norway, Graeme Stephen with musicians from Luxembourg, Germany and the USA, Kevin MacKenzie with US musicians, and David Milligan with Italian musicians.
International Programme
The international flavour of the Edinburgh Jazz & Blues Festival is crucial. Performers travelling to the city this year maintain the quality that audiences have come to expect.
They include:
The Bad Plus with Joshua Redman
Kurt Elling with Charlie Hunter
Todd Sharpeville with Debbie Davies and Nick Moss
Hidden Orchestra with Floex
Jeremy Pelt Quintet
Django a la Creole
Average White Band
Barbara Morrison
Sweet Vandals
The Stooges Brass Band
Orange Kellin and Morten Larsen
Tijuana Cartel
Daryl Sherman
Red Stripe Band
Jazz Combo Box
Lazy Lester
Dave Binney
Jazz Italia
Musicians from all over Italy are coming to Edinburgh Jazz and Blues Festival from very different stylistic backgrounds – from interpretations of opera to funky street bands; from swinging piano like Oscar Peterson to inspiration from Mediterranean folk melodies. Among the highlights are Danilo Rea and Flavio Boltro, Bandakadabra, Dado Moroni Quartet, and Enzo Favata.
Jazz from Poland
The Festival also presents five brilliant groups, all completely different in style, but all ready to change your perception about jazz from Poland. These include the star vocalist, Aga Zaryan, and the wacky humour of Mitch and Mitch. Thanks to the Institut Adama Mickiewicza, without whom it wouldn’t be possible.
Breaking Ground
Every year, young Scottish musicians make their debut at the Festival. It seems that every year there is outstanding new talent to celebrate. This year, it is two musicians who have been making waves as leaders. Drummer, Corrie Dick, and pianist/organ player, Pete Johnstone, who along with fantastic young trumpet player from Edinburgh, Sean Gibbs, is leading a specially assembled quintet.
Scottish Talent
Scottish talent is always an important part of the festival and this year this contingent is particularly strong with leading Scottish musicians, including:
Maggie Bell with Blues n’ Trouble
Bill Salmond Louisiana
Brian Kellock Trio
Konrad Wiszniewski
Colin Steele Quintet
New Phoenix Jazz Band
Fat Sam’s Band
Havana Swing
Niki King &The Elements
The city can enjoy free jazz and blues from across the globe at Mardi Gras, which entertains crowds of more than 8000 revellers, and this year will feature Alastair MacDonald, Dana Dixon, Criterion Parade Band and Freddie King among others.
Brian Fallon, Chair, Edinburgh Jazz and Blues Festival : “Musicians from every continent are coming to play, across all the jazz styles. Our aim is to appeal to everyone, from jazz and blues aficionados to first timers, young and not so young, in formal and informal concert settings. And look at the value high quality music at very reasonable prices. Come along and have a ball!”
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