There's plenty for fans of swing and trad jazz to enjoy at EJBF21, and you can experience it all - starting this Friday!
Three bands trace the evolution of jazz in Edinburgh in The Living Jazz Continuum. Presented with the Scottish Jazz Archive, this musical walk down memory lane has been curated by Graham Blamire and Norrie Thomson. The first set is led by trumpeter Lennie Herd and delivers Dixieland jazz, the second is led by Mike Daly’s cornet and plays trad jazz and the final band is led by trumpeter Colin Steele and clarinetist John Burgess who play mainstream jazz.
Three bands pay homage to icons of the music:
Tenement Jazz Band salute the charismatic Bunk Johnston, playing his 1947 album, and final recording, 'The Last Testament of a Great New Orleans Jazz Man'.
Hamish McGregor pays tribute to the music of the great Chris Barber, who inspired so many. During his long career, he played with everyone from Louis Armstrong to Muddy Waters and who better to pay tribute than Hamish McGregor and his top band.
The irrepressible mainstream guitarist, singer, comedian and raconteur, Marty Grosz has inspired Brian Kellock to create a new set of swinging music
Turning the clock back, singer Ali Affleck delves in the prohibition era for some vintage New Orelans gems. See is joined by New Orleans musicians Ewan Bleach and Joplin Parnell, UK trumpet maestro Enrico Tomasso, a specially assembled Scottish band. The Hot Town Tigers swing dancers deliver an effervescent show with all the spirit and pizzazz of the Great Gatsby era.
Festival favourites Rose Room return with their homage to the Hot Club - the effervescent sound of Django Reinhardt and Stephane Grappelli, whilst lead singer/fiddler Seonaid Aitken also debuts a new project: Chasing Sakura.