The Edinburgh jazz festival (22-31 July) has come a long way since its birth in the late 1970s, and each year it offers an increasingly diverse variety of performers. The 2011 festival has something for everyone, from ‘trad’ jazz to jazz fusion and everything in between.
Here is the programme:-
These are some of the stand out events.
1) Stan Getz tribute
This year will see homage paid to one of the all-time great jazz artists, tenor saxophonist Stan Getz. Due to his extraordinary tone and creative ability, Getz was consistently popular from the 40’s to the 80’s, and throughout the period he experimented with a variety of sounds and styles. At this year’s festival audiences will be able to experience some of the great man’s finest works as interpreted by some of the world’s finest musicians, including-
The Edinburgh Jazz Festival Orchestra. (28 July 8.00pm. Queen’s Hall)
Directed by one of the world’s top clarinetists, Ken Peplowski, the Edinburgh Jazz Festival Orchestra plays the music of Woody Herman’s “Four Brothers”, showcasing some of Getz’s early work.
Konrad Wiszniewski. (29 July 8.00pm. The Hub)
Glasgow born Wiszniewski offers his take on “Focus”, a collaboration between Getz and Eddie Sauter, and one of history’s definitive jazz recordings.
Mario Caribe Jazz Bossa. (23 July 8.30pm. The Hub)
One of Edinburgh’s stalwart jazz musicians for the past ten years, but originally from Brazil, Caribe and his band play the bossa/samba hits that Getz is perhaps most famous for.
2) Swedish jazz celebration
Sweden’s music scene is notoriously prolific and in any given genre of jazz and blues they have something to offer. Some of the most exciting acts in the celebration are,
Magnus Ostrom Band. (24 July 8.30pm. The Hub)
Previously the drummer for EST (probably Europe’s most popular jazz band until the untimely death of pianist Esbjorn Svensson), Ostrom’s band is one of the festival’s most anticipated features.
Fredrik Kronkvist Quartet. (24 July 8.30pm. The Bosco Theatre)
Tremendously skilled and technically astounding, Kronkvist’s outfit is certainly for enthusiasts with more modern tastes.
3) Jack Bruce and The Big Blues Band. (29 July 8.30pm. Queen’s hall)
Bass player and singer alongside Eric Clapton in legendary sixties rock band, Cream, Bruce brings his new ten-piece outfit to Edinburgh this year. Playing hits from his own portfolio (“White Room”, “I Feel Free”) and other standards from such giants as Howlin’ Wolf, BB King, Muddy Waters and Robert Cray, this promises to be a thoroughly bluesy affair.
4) Courtney Pine “Europa” (22 July 8.30pm. Queen’s Hall)
The internationally acclaimed multi-instrumentalist Courtney Pine is another of the Festivals biggest pulls. Famous for mixing different music genres and styles to great effect, Pine returns this year with a European musical concoction, blending Gregorian chants, Mediterranean sounds and melodies from the far north.
5) Breaking ground
Always a fascinating part of the festival is the “breaking ground” programme. The programme is committed to showcasing young Scottish talent and this year’s selection is as exciting as ever. Highlights include.
The John Fleming Quartet. (31 July 8.00pm. The Bosco Theatre)
From 2010’s Young Scottish Jazz Musician of the Year, comes this traditional, lyrical, display.
The Discordian Trio. (27 July 8.00pm. The Bosco Theatre)
This powerful, modern trio merge free jazz and fusion, and have recently performed at the Cheltenham Jazz Festival to much acclaim. Members include Jack Wier (guitar), Richard Cass (bass) and Andy Bunting (piano).
