What’s On This Week in Edinburgh – Music

Lunchtime Concert: Ana Margarida Silva (Portugal) (piano). 12.15pm, Monday 25th April, St Giles’ Cathedral, High Street. Free.

Susan Tomes Solo Piano Recital: Pioneers of the Piano. The accomplished winner of numerous awards as performer and recording artist, Susan Tomes celebrates some of the great pioneers of piano music. Programme: Haydn Sonata in E minor, Hoboken XVI:34, Schumann Papillons, Op 2, Debussy Images, Series I (Reflets dans l’Éau, Hommage à Rameau, Mouvement), Gyorgy Ligeti Musica Ricercata, and Billy Mayerl Salon pieces from the Savoy Hotel in the 1920s and 30s. 7.30pm, Monday 25th April, The Queen’s Hall, Clerk Street. Tickets £20/£17/£15/£12 (concessions), £5 (under 16s) from the Box Office on 0131 668 2019 or online here (transaction fees apply).

Get Organised: John Kitchen plays your favourite tunes on the Usher Hall’s magnificent organ. 1.10pm, Tuesday 26th April, Usher Hall, Lothian Road. Tickets £4: book in advance here or pay on the door.

Leith Folk Club: The Busquitos. ‘There’s little doubt that this will be the quirkiest evening of the year: hot club jazz, bluesy rock & roll and even a little classical music – but above all… pure unexpurgated fun. Louis Armstrong style vocals, impromptu dance routines and truly superb musicianship will make this a night we’ll all be talking about endlessly afterwards’. With support: Susanna Orr Holland. 7.30pm, Tuesday 26th April, Victoria Park House Hotel, 221 Ferry Road. Tickets cost £8 and may be reserved by completing the online form here or texting the club’s dedicated booking line on 07502 024 852. Reserved tickets must be collected by 7.30pm on the night.

Music on a Summer Evening: Spurtle (Portobello High School ceilidh band) and Philomusica of Edinburgh. Philomusica will perform Vivaldi’s Four Seasons, with sonnets read by Robert Chalmers-Lang. 7pm, Wednesday 27th April, St Mark’s Church, 287 Portobello High Street. £6 (under 16s free).

Red & Reid: The Red Note Ensemble and students from Reid School of Music (University of Edinburgh) will play new works by Kyle Berry, Misha Doumnov, Virginie Lesaffre, Armando Lobo, Aggelos Mastrantonis and Arvin Papelli. 8pm, Wednesday 27th April, Assembly Roxy, Roxburgh Place. Free but registration is required via eventbrite here.

Partikel: ‘One of the hottest young bands on the UK scene’ (Jazzwise), this London based 3-piece of Duncan Eagles (saxophones), Max Luthert (double bass) and Eric Ford  (drums & percussion) draws influences from African and Latin American music, combined with contemporary jazz, to produce soulful melodies combined seamlessly with complex mixed meter vamps, all with an instantly identifiable energy and band sound. They’re on a massive UK tour to launch their album String Theory, tonight with special guest, string player Benet McLean. 9pm (entry from 8pm), Wednesday 27th April, The Jazz Bar, Chambers Street. Admission £7/£5 on the door: please note this venue is strictly cash only.

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Blair Dunlop: the accomplished writer, guitarist, vocalist and winner of the 2012 BBC R2 Folk Horizon Award will be performing songs from his upcoming studio album Gilded, as well as material from his back catalogue. ‘Blair Dunlop is a cult hero, an artist whose work is adored by those who come across it’ (Clash Music). Support: Jack Carty + JD Kelleher. 7pm (doors), Wednesday 27th April, Sneaky Pete’s, Cowgate. For over 18s only. Tickets £10 + booking fee from TicketWeb here, and Ripping Records here.

Greyfriars at 12: Reid School of Music Musicians. 12 noon, Thursday 28th April, Greyfriars Kirk, Greyfriars Place.

Lunchtime Concert: Eastern Michigan University Choir. 12.15pm, Thursday 28th April, St Giles’ Cathedral, High Street. Free.

Live Music Now: Routes Quartet. A string quartet with a difference made up of traditional folk musicians who perform a combination of contemporary compositions and innovative arrangements of traditional music. 6-6.30pm, Thursday 28th April, Scottish National Portrait Gallery, 1 Queen Street. Free.

Preston-Glasgow-Lowe Trio: David Preston (guitar), Kevin Glasgow (electric bass) & Laurie Lowe (drums) are three of London’s most creative young instrumentalists, producing music that’s a mash-up of relentless rhythmic energy, harmonic dystopia, and virtuosic improvisations. Expanding the format of the guitar trio with intricate and unique compositions, they draw influence from an expansive array of styles whilst maintaining a focused original sound. They’re on tour to celebrate the release of their eponymous debut album on the internationally acclaimed Whirlwind label. ‘Dazzling ideas and sophisticated technique’ (Jazzwise). 9pm (entry from 8pm), Thursday 28th April, The Jazz Bar, Chambers Street. Admission £7/£5 on the door: please note this venue is strictly cash only.

Lunchtime Concert: Bella Voce Choir (Sweden). 12.15pm, Friday 29th April, St Giles’ Cathedral, High Street. Free.

Band of the Regiment of Scotland. 1pm, Friday 29th April, Canongate Kirk, 153 Canongate. Free; retiring collection for Scottish Veterans’ Residences.

Scottish National Jazz Orchestra: Dave Brubeck – Time Out. The familiar opening bars of Take Five were the soundtrack to sixties swing and mid-twentieth century cool. The tune made Dave Brubeck a household name, but also changed perceptions of jazz as a niche art form. Throughout his long and fulfilled career, Brubeck created stunning music of depth and breadth. He consolidated his initial success by continuing to explore unusual time signatures, but a gift for counterpoint and harmony also contributed to his widespread popularity. SNJO has specially commissioned respected composer Bill Dobbins (Professor of Jazz, Eastman School of Music, Rochester, NY), to arrange Brubeck’s music and provide new insights into his most iconic compositions. The orchestra will be joined by Bill Dobbins at the piano and John Nugent on alto saxophone to interpret the complex and deeply spiritual work of a composer who remains loved and revered in equal measure. 7.30pm, Friday 29th April, The Queen’s Hall, Clerk Street. Tickets £18-£22.50, SNJO Youth Card Holders £5, under 16s free; book online here or call the Box Office on 0131 668 2019. There will be a pre-show talk at 6.45pm – this is free to ticket holders.

Molotov Jukebox: ‘an explosive London six-piece with a totally original, wonderfully colourful, Tropical-Gypsy-Dance sound and style’. Natalia Tena (of Harry Potter and Game of Thrones fame) fronts the band with her sultry lead vocals, her accordion backed up by gypsy violin, powerful Latin trumpet, and a pounding rhythm section. 7pm, Friday 29th April, Main Room, Electric Circus, Market Street. Tickets £12 + booking fee.

7th Avenue South: this impressive Dundee-based 5-piece fusion combo is put together by sax player Gordon McNeil to celebrate the legendary 70s Greenwich Village club 7th Avenue South created by Michael and Randy Brecker. The club hosted gigs by the Brecker Brothers, but also featured countless fast-rising jazz groups who went on to become top names recognised worldwide (Steps Ahead, Jaco Pastorius Word of Mouth Band, Bob Mintzer/Gil Evans coalition, Chick Corea’s Three Quartets, etc). Gordon is with Malcolm MacFarlane (guitar), Iain Mathieson (keys), Mark Austin (electric bass) and Ricky Linn (drums). Friday 29th April, The Jazz Bar, Chambers Street. Admission £5/£4 on the door: please note this venue is strictly cash only.

Forth 1 Entertains: an evening of music and comedy with Scouting for Girls, Gary Tank Commander, Hue & Cry, Jason Byrne, Lucy Porter, Rob Deering, Patrick Monahan and The Dolls, hosted by Arlene Stuart. 7.30pm, Friday 29th April, Edinburgh Playhouse, Greenside Place. Tickets from the Box Office on 0844 871 3014 or online here.

Edinburgh Society of Musicians: Angela Bell (soprano) and Nancy Crook (piano) perform works by Mozart, Duparc, de Falla and Poulenc. 7.30pm, Saturday 30th April, Edinburgh Society of Musicians, 3 Belford Road. Admission free.

Scots Music Group Ceilidh with DaHooley Ceilidh Band:  7.30pm (dancing from 8pm), Saturday 30th April, St Bride’s Community Centre, Orwell Terrace, Dalry. Tickets £9/£7 in advance, £10 on the door (sta) from SMG on 0131 555 7668 or online here.

Music on a Summer Evening: Ciaran and Katie + special guest Brian McGlynn. Folk music with highlights of country and jazz. 7pm, Saturday 30th April, St Mark’s Church, 287 Portobello High Street. £6 (under 16s free).

Lunchtime Concert: Alexander Chapman Campbell (piano). 12.15pm, Saturday 30th April, St Giles’ Cathedral, High Street. Free.

Ayman Jarjour: the internationally renowned Syrian guitarist in a concert fundraiser for Syria. Ayman started learning guitar in Syria before continuing in Madrid and then attended the Juilliard School in New York; he has performed all over the world, from Carnegie Hall to the Edinburgh Fringe. 7.30pm, Saturday 30th April, Carrubers Christian Centre, 65 High Street. Free but please register via eventbrite here. Entry by donation; please come prepared to give generously to charities SHARE (Syrian Humanitarian Aid Relief Effort) and Operation Mobilisation. For more information please call the centre on 0131 556 2626 or 07774 968124.

Linton Singers: a concert in aid of IWORK4ME, the only Scottish Charity providing specialised support to people with Autism Spectrum Conditions (ASC) (Asperger’s Syndrome or High Functioning Autism) who wish to become self-employed. The Linton Singers will perform Duruflé Requiem and Vivaldi Gloria, conducted by Murray Campbell; organist Jean Arulanantham. 7.30pm, Saturday 30th April, Canongate Kirk, 153 Canongate. Admission £10; tickets are available from choir members or by emailing secretary@lintonsingers.org.

Sandra MacBeth At The Skylark. Sandra has sung for The Dalai Lama and opened for acts including Pink and Mumford & Sons; tonight she performs songs from her upcoming EP release Everest. 8pm, Saturday 30th April, The Skylark, 241-243 Portobello High Street. Image: Lorna Thomas.

Three Works for Tape and Instruments by Luigi Nono (1924–1990): a concert of live electronics and sound projection from Italian electronic musician Alvise Vidolin and Irish pianist Mary Dullea. 8pm, Saturday 30th April, Reid Concert Hall, University of Edinburgh, Bristo Place. Free admission.

Bhundu Boy Rise Kagona: Zimbabwean Rise Kagona, a guitar hero on two continents, transferred traditional Zimbabwe Jiti rhythms to guitar; his band The Bhundu Boys toured the world extensively. Today his new Jit-Jive band is unique in the world for performing Jiti music. After sell-out Fringe shows last year, Rise is back to perform new songs and old favourites. ‘Sunny, intricate guitar lines whose easy sparkle belies formidable technical prowess’ (Scotsman). Sure to make you dance! Plus DJ Astrojazz. 12 midnight-3am, Saturday 30th April, The Jazz Bar, Chambers Street. Admission £5/£4 on the door: please note this venue is strictly cash only.

St Giles’ at Six: Organ Recital by Jordan English, who will play works by Bach, Pärt, Karg-Elert, Mathias, Purcell and Reger. 6pm, Sunday 1st May, St Giles’ Cathedral, High Street. Admission free; retiring collection.

Glenalmond College: a performance of Haydn’s Nelson Mass and Rutter’s Requiem. 7.30pm, Sunday 1st May, Greyfriars Kirk, Greyfriars Place. 

Rockathon 2016: a marathon of great live music in aid of Forth One’s Cash For Kids; a worthy charity helping local kids who are disadvantaged for whatever reason and need some support. Line-up includes JJ Gilmour & Band, Break The Butterfly, The Rising Souls, Craig Wilson (guest DJ), Kirsten Adamson, The Rah’s, Benny Monteux And The Bones Brigade and November Lights. 3.30pm till late, Sunday 1st May, Stramash, 207 Cowgate. Tickets £10 from the venue or Tickets Scotland.