The Edinburgh Jazz Festival has been a vital part of the cultural and artistic climate of Edinburgh for 31 years. Each year, jazz and blues enthusiasts travel to Edinburgh to enjoy incredible music at no cost. The atmosphere is friendly, relaxed and enthusiastic with people coming from around the world for good times and a common appreciation of good music.
Crowds flock to the beginning of Edinburgh Jazz Festival
The music at the Edinburgh Jazz Festival encompasses all flavors of jazz. Old school styles like Dixieland, Swing and Ragtime are represented alongside up and coming jazz acts, big band performances, pub and street jams.
[image credit Ewan McIntosh]
Edinburgh Jazz Festival Orchestra
This year’s festival marks the inaugural performances of the Edinburgh Jazz Festival Orchestra. This orchestra is comprised of eight premiere Scottish jazz musicians playing alongside eight European jazz musicians and eight United States jazz musicians. Two performances are scheduled.
Duke Ellington, whose epic jazz will be performed by the Edinburgh Jazz Festival Orchestra
The first performance will have the Edinburgh Jazz Festival Orchestra fronted by Joe Temperley, a world-renowned jazz saxophonist, who will lead the musicians in performing classic Duke Ellington music.
[image credit carbonated]
Robert Burns’ Lyrics Meet Jazz
David Milligan, a Scottish jazz pianist, will then lead the Edinburgh Jazz Festival orchestra, along with folk singers Annie Grace, Karine Polwart and Corrina Hewat, in the performance of a piece he composed himself that is inspired by the works of Scottish poet and lyricist Robert Burns.
What would Rabbie Burns think of his lyrics set to jazz we wonder...
Other performers for the 2009 Edinburgh Jazz Festival include Tommy Smith, Swedish pianist Jacob Karlzon and Jools Holland and his Rhythm & Blues Orchestra which features Gilson Lavis, Dave Edmunds, Ruby Turner and Louise Marshall.
This year’s Edinburgh Jazz Festival runs from July 25th to August 3rd. People can take in free events like the pub and street jams of the Grassmarket Mardi Gras and the Ross Band Stand’s “Jazz on A Summer’s Day” celebration – where people can enjoy a stage and dance floor that is set to the spectacular scenery of the Edinburgh Castle.
[image credit Project 404]
May 31st, 2009 at 5:20 pm
The Edinburgh Mardi Gras last year must have been the only sunny day we had. A group of us had an excellent afternoon in the sun, and then sat out in the beer garden at the Beehive. Good times.
January 4th, 2010 at 5:57 am
My father is an aficionado of old jazz; big band music and has over 2500 vintage albums that he would willing to part with(well, not all of them) as long as they go to someone who not only appreciates this era of music but has the love and care for some things so rare. He is an ex CBC radio man who hosted a program called Jazz The Vintage Years; syndicated on CBC from coast to coast for over 10 years. He also has many books and magazines plus an encyclopedic mind for the musicians and dates of the great names in Jazz. He has interviewed the likes of Duke Ellington, Buddy Rich, Lionel Hampton and many more. His collection is invaluable. He is 84 years old and felt it is time to part with someone he has held precious for over 60 years.
All I ask is that if you know of someone who collects rare jazz albums, books or magazines, kindly send me an email to discuss. I challenge anyone there to test him on his knowledge regarding this special field. His name is Gren Marsh and he can be reached at [edit - poster left a phone number: anyone interested we will forward the poster's details but we can't publish phone numbers :) ]
Thank you for your time!
Chris Marsh
Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada
P.S. These rare collections are for sale to the right person!