Various locations across Edinburgh
Now over 40 years old, this joyful and flamboyant multicultural event is one of the largest jazz festivals in Europe.
Launched in 1978 by Edinburgh guitarist and banjo player Mike Hart, the festival originally featured traditional jazz performances playing in Edinburgh’s pubs, before evolving to feature a more diverse range of styles, including funk and hip-hop. Today, it attracts major international jazz names from all over the world, as well as from the burgeoning Scottish contemporary jazz scene.
With more than 100 events at venues across the city, whether you’re a festival regular or a first-time visitor, prepare for a genre-spanning celebration – from bebop to boogie-woogie, funk to soul, trad to hip-hop, swing to searing blues-rock.
No other festival covers jazz and blues, across all the styles, with such depth and quality, and with so many unique events. Enjoy acclaimed American saxophonist Immanuel Wilkins, legendary band The Bad Plus, Louisianan blues star D.K. Harrell, mesmerising Italian singer Simona Parrinello, French guitarist Nguyên Lê, and much, much more.
This year, the festival focusses on jazz from the Netherlands. Hear from the likes of the cross-cultural sound of Peter Somuah, the theatrical energy of Ponga, vocalist Carolina Gemmell and pianist Evan van der Feen.
As part of a series of interactive events, the festival presents Sue McKenzie’s Jazz For Kids workshops and Tenement Jazz Band for Kids interactive shows, as well as talks and jam sessions.
The Mardi Gras brings a free afternoon of non-stop entertainment to the city’s Grassmarket on Saturday 18 July. Bands will perform across multiple stages, bringing a taste of New Orleans to Edinburgh.
And, of course, not forgetting the Edinburgh Festival Carnival, Scotland’s largest and most flamboyant multicultural event. Featuring music and dance, the festivities take place on Sunday 19 July with over 800 participants from across the globe.
The full programme is out now. Tickets to performances can be booked on Edinburgh Jazz & Blues Festival, or by calling the box office on 0131 226 0013.
