Get ready for the Scottish Jazz Weekend – Gallus

 Running from Thursday 17 to Sunday 20 October 2019 the Scottish Jazz Weekend “Gallus” presents fourteen bands who honour the tradition, present fresh visions or expand the boundaries of the music. 

Opening the weekend stellar saxophonist Tommy Smith’s Quartet salute the music of John Coltrane, whilst trumpeter Colin Steele closes the programme paying homage to that other icon of jazz: Miles Davis.

The weekend will offer a snapshot of the state of jazz in Scotland though the lens of guest programmer: Fergus McCreadie. Pianist McCreadie is the shooting star of Scottish jazz. 

Still aged only 22, he has won numerous awards, massive criticial and audience acclaim and is in demand for concerts all over Europe. 

Fergus said: “To simply be a part of this scene is an absolute privilege, so I’m sure you’ll understand the great joy I’ve had in selecting a line-up that broadly represents Scottish Jazz as it stands today … a wide array of angles are presented in this programme, from new innovations to established projects, a younger vanguard of players rising up to sit alongside some of Scotland’s finest jazz exports.”

Fergus McCreadie PHOTO Morgan Shaw

In between, “Gallus” showcases new compositions from guitarist Ben MacDonald and bassist Mark Hendry. MacDonald shapes new sounds out of the old worlds of Scofield, Frisell and Metheny. Aged just 21 Hendry shows a scarcely believable maturity writing brilliantly; creating absorbing, impactful, and exciting new music that appeals to a wide-range of audiences marrying Jazz, Classical, Folk and Rock worlds.

Paul Towndrow and Matt Carmichael showcase the most iconic jazz instrument, the saxophone. From Towndrow’s contemporary take on the tradition to the extraordinary facility of Matt Carmichael who is already a major force, despite still studying at the RCS. “Gallus” also showcases three singers who are making waves: Georgia Cecile, Luca Manning and Anoushka Nanguy. All mix stunning interpretation, with beautiful songs. 

Mezcla and STRATA play late night at The Jazz Bar – delivering energetic, fiery sounds in the classic basement jazz club setting. From infectious world grooves to distillation of contemporary jazz with minimalism with progressive rock

Concerts take place at the Queen’s Hall, St Brides Centre and The Jazz Bar – full listings can be found here

Ticket information

Tickets are available from:

Full Programme

Thursday 17th October  

7:30pm “Embodying the Light”, Tommy Smith Quartet // Alan Benzie Trio

Queen’s Hall. £17

Friday 18th October 
8-10pm “The New Voices of Scottish Jazz”, Georgia Cecile Quartet // Anoushka Nanguy Quartet. 

St Bride’s Centre. £12.50

11:30pm-03:00am Graham Costello’s STRATA 4 // Rebecca Vasmant. 

The Jazz Bar. £10

Saturday 19th October
4-6pm “New Composers in Scottish Jazz”, Ben MacDonald Quartet // Mark Hendry’s fractus. 

St Bride’s Centre. £7.50

6:15-7pm Edinburgh Jazz School: Showcase

St Bride’s Centre. Free.

7:30-9:45pm “Fergus McCreadie presents”
Luca Manning “When The Sun Comes Up”, w. McCreadie & Laura McDonald // Fergus McCreadie meets Charlie Stewart. 

St Bride’s Centre, £12.50

11:30pm-03:00am Mezcla // Aki Remally. 

The Jazz Bar. £10

Sunday 20th October
4-6pm “The Saxophone in Scotland”, Paul Towndrow Organ Trio // Matt Carmichael Quartet
St Bride’s Centre, £7.50

8-10pm Colin Steele plays Miles Davis, with Michael Butcher
St Bride’s Centre, £12.50