To launch the first ever, Aberdeen Blues Weekend we have a special programme featuring one of Scotland’s all-time blues greats, Maggie Bell, and ex-Whitesnake guitar hero, Bernie Marsden. Scottish blues-rock singer Maggie Bell first gained prominence fronting 70's Scots rock heroes, Stone the Crows, and her raunchy, high energy style has electrified audiences all over the world in a career of 50 years. Amazingly, she’s still touring; constantly preaching the blues, with all ... + more ...

Stan Getz made one of the greatest jazz recordings of all time when he teamed up with composer, Eddie Sauter, to improvise with a rhythm section and strings on the album "Focus". Sauter's rhythmically and harmonically exciting masterpiece is sometimes overlooked, The great sax player and Blue Lamp favourite, Konrad Wiszniewski, and pianist, Euan Stevenson, launched their New Focus group by recreating the original music, and then presenting their own ... + more ...

The next big thing in Scottish jazz vocals, the classy singer hits the spot when it comes to Broadway songs, beautiful ballads, swinging jazz, and a host of modern pop tunes she has re-invented for this intimate jazz setting. With 2018 Young Scottish Jazz Musician of the Year, Guitarist Joe Williamson + more ...

The UK’s leading Afrobeat purveyors make their Aberdeen debut. With an epic 10 piece live show including a bold brass section, Nubiyan Twist are an incendiary live act that blends afrobeat, dub, neo-soul, hip-hop and jazz with seamless virtuosity, drawing on myriad influences ranging from Erykah Badu to Fela Kuti and Nat King Cole. Their performances are moving and unforgettable experiences that push the boundaries of genre and technical prowess. They’re ... + more ...

Destined to be a Festival hit, this all-female traditional jazz supergroup make their Aberdeen debut playing fun, accessible New Orleans and Mississippi jazz and blues. Their repertoire consists of old American prohibition era folk, hot roots jazz, pre-electric blues, hokum and rather large nods to their Scottish heritage. The band features Ali Affleck on washboard and vocals, Ali Tod on guitar and vocals, Danielle Price on tuba and vocals, Kassandra ... + more ...

Norse Myths feat. Arild Andersen, Tommy Smith, Paolo Vinaccia Nordic jazz has many heroes, and foremost among them are bassist Arild Andersen. Admired as a pre-eminent jazz master, he is associated with impressive jazz music that exploits overlooked possibilities and here he collaborates with Tommy Smith and the SNJO for the world Premier of new and original jazz stories spun around mystical Norse legends. They will be joined by drummer/percussionist Patrice Heral who is replacing Paolo ... + more ...

The next big thing in Scottish jazz vocals, the classy singer hits the spot when it comes to Broadway songs, beautiful ballads, swinging jazz, and a host of modern pop tunes she has re-invented for this intimate jazz setting. With Euan Stevenson, piano, she has also written new songs that already sound like classics.  + more ...

Kenny Neal is the real deal, a New Orleans native, he was taught to play the blues by his father at an early age and his performances prove that the blues is definitely in his blood.  He is known as a modern swamp-blues payer with a style steeped in all the the sizzling sounds of his native Louisiana. They infuse their own style to Delta blues from Mississippi, funk and soul ... + more ...

Blending homages to the jazz tradition with explorations of her African and Caribbean roots, MOBO-nominated saxophonist Camilla George has been dubbed “the Golden Girl of Jazz” by the Evening Standard.  Inspired by contemporary jazz musicians like Wynton Marsalis and Kenny Garrett, she adds highlife, Afrobeat, calypso and hip-hop into the mix to create engaging, upbeat jazz. + more ...

A special triple bill of blues acts for the price of one!  Kris Dollimore is the guitar player with Scottish rock icons, Del Amitri, but he’s also one of Britain’s leading acoustic blues singers and guitarists, with a fabulous knowledge and deep respect for all the country blues traditions.  Joyously celebrating the trials, tribulations and fortunes of the best female singers of the blues genre, Queens Of The Blues tells the story ... + more ...

Paying homage to the brilliant, towering musical figure who through his singing and piano playing helped invent soul and R&B music. Aberdeen’s finest are joined by the Memphis singer and pianist renowned for mixing jazz, blues, soul, traditional R&B and popular music.  + more ...

Pianist, Steve Hamilton, has performed in over 25 countries around the globe with musical luminaries such as Bill Bruford, Billy Cobham & Ray Charles. He’s an astonishing technician, a beautiful melodist, and an exciting improviser. Tonight he has assembled an all-star trio - featuring the Grammy-winning Tim Garland’s saxophone and Mario Caribe’s Brazilian tinged Scottish bass. - that packs lyricism and power in equal measure.  + more ...

Armed with bona fide street credibility, having started out busking in Glasgow during 2014’s Commonwealth Games, this 8 piece eclectic modern soul funk band is packing out huge venues with their tight sound and off-the-wall antics – a strange mix of Lumberjack-looks, some of the best horn players in Scotland and ferociously funky music.  This is a standing gig. + more ...

Aberdeen's best outdoor music party which takes place across nine venues in the city centre and it's all FREE. Jazz, Blues, Soul, R’n’B, Funk, Big Band, Blues, Vocals, Drummers and more. 9 Stages, 18 bands, 4 Hours! Please download the progrmame here All sponsored by Aberdeen Inspired + more ...

A powerhouse line-up of percussion, sax, trumpets, trombones and sousaphone. With a nod to their roots in jazz, pop, funk and hip-hop, their brassy twist on classy tunes combines with electrifying showmanship for the perfect After Party. + more ...

Cool, charismatic  and charming, Cindy Douglas unveils a brand new show – a homage to the legendary crooner Nat King Cole. Plus a two course dinner from the award winning Carmelite chefs. The menu is Starter Lentil Soup with crusty bread and butter Duck and Port Liver Pate with toasted baguette, plum chutney Mains Slow Braised Blade of Beef with herb crushed new potatoes, seasonal vegetables, bordelaise sauce Mushroom and Stilton Wellington (v) herb crushed new potatoes, seasonal ... + more ...

Enjoy two exciting community projects, bringing together people from all backgrounds in their love of performing jazz. The JATBL Community Jazz Big Band comprises over 30 players and tonight debuts a special commission ‘The Blue Lamp Suite' by Richard Ingham. The AYJC Band performs with members of Aberdeen University Jazz as a legacy of the Youth Jazz Celebration, featuring young people from across Aberdeen City. + more ...

This unique concert sees pioneering Scottish ensemble Trio HLK team up with the world’s premier solo percussionist, Dame Evelyn Glennie. HLK’s music rewrites jazz standards, introduces improvisation, rhythmic and harmonic tricks to deliver an explosive interactive tour de force. + more ...

Damien Chazelle/USA/2016/128m Tickets from 01224 343500  https://www.belmontfilmhouse.com Ryan Gosling and Emma Stone star as jazz pianist and aspiring actress fall in love against the sumptuous background of Los Angeles. We are led through the stages of their whirlwind romance as they chase their dreams, find success and meet its challenges. All of the above is expressed through song, dance and big, bold homages to classic movie musicals. Chazelle wrote 'La La Land' ... + more ...

Journey to three acclaimed restaurants with one course in each and a different jazz session to accompany each. Music from guitarist Colin Black, pianist Adam Usmani and singer Morag McCall. Carmelite: a creative menu prepared by award winning chefs Molly’s Bistro:  Features the best locally sourced ingredients Bistro Verde: Traditional food in a relaxed and friendly atmosphere Tickets only from Carmelite 01224 589101 Sponsored by Aberdeen Inspired + more ...

From catchy tunes to folk anthems and reflective ballads, Towndrow plays alto “like a turbo-charged amalgam of all your saxophone heroes” ( The Guardian) Tonight he showcases his quintet which features Steve Hamilton (piano), Kevin MacKenzie (guitar) Euan Burton (bass) and Alyn Cosker (drummer) before starting a range of projects across the Festival + more ...

Experience the joy of a youth band in full flight. Featuring, on the 28th March The International School, Aberdeen and on the 29th, Aberdeen City Music School and Aberdeen University Jazz Band. + more ...

Sophisticated, seductive, and sassy. Singer May May takes jazz out and about into some intimate venues in Aberdeenshire. Her powerful voice and huge vocal range animates music from the classic American Jazz and Blues songbook + more ...

This classy Trio has everything you’d expect from a brilliant contemporary European band – strong compositions, big on melody and structure; incredible musicianship, improvisational wizardry, and an attitude for fun – why not play a David Bowie tune next?! Herr is a dynamite drummer, sensitive and powerful, and he’s recruited one of the real greats of the current European scene: saxophonist, Maxime Bender, and listen out for the compelling bass ... + more ...

A national treasure, singer Marisha Addison has been at the forefront of jazz in Aberdeen for 50 years. From fronting the Alex Sutherland Orchestra to leading the team at The Blue Lamp, she has been in the thick of it all. Charismatic and with impeccable phrasing she delivers classic jazz with pizzaz. She is joined by an all star band featuring Colin Steele (trumpet), Steve Hamilton (piano), Pete Lowit (bass) and Alyn ... + more ...

Experience the joy of a youth band in full flight. Featuring, on the 28th March The International School, Aberdeen and on the 29th, Aberdeen City Music School and Aberdeen University Jazz Band. + more ...

Sophisticated, seductive, and sassy. Singer May May takes jazz out and about into some intimate venues in Aberdeenshire. Her powerful voice and huge vocal range animates music from the classic American Jazz and Blues songbook + more ...

‘…as carefully structured and full of wit as the best prose writing...a compelling narrative…*****’ – Keith Bruce – Herald Scotland  A SPONTANEOUS standing ovation for a previously unheard jazz work would be worthy of note at any time. The alto saxophonist is one of Scotland’s finest jazz musicians, with interests across a range of styles. He’s also one of our foremost composers, and he follows up his “Hero As Riddle” triumph, with ... + more ...

Those with their ear to the ground will know that Arabatzi is one of the most exciting young vocal talents on the current jazz scene. She has an extraordinary voice, has a deep knowledge and affection for jazz traditions, yet wants to make new music for new audiences too. Accompanied by rising talent Ben MacDonald on guitar + more ...

Mario has put together this new supergroup to play mambo and latin jazz, a personal passion. Featuring Stu Brown on drums and Richard Linn on percussion it also includes two young stars of the Scottish scene: Michael Butcher on tenor sax, and Liam Shortall on trombone, with Pete Johstone on piano and Mario himself on bass. + more ...

Saxophonist Paul Towndrow leads this late night jam session which will feature a multitude of different jazzy guests dropping in to play.  They will showcase their talents, and come together in new and wonderful combinations, creating new music as they go. + more ...

Enjoy an indulgent classic afternoon tea in the company of Frank Sinatra, Sammy Davis Jnr and Dean Martin with Aberdeen’s answer to The Rat Pack. This music-filled afternoon serves up treats including finger sandwiches, dainty desserts and a fine selection of teas or cocktails. + more ...

At last year’s Festival, McCreadie’s Trio blew Aberdeen away. The shooting star of the Scottish jazz scene delivered a tour de force of phenomenal musicianship and thrilling music. He returns in 2019 to do the same, joined by the prodigiously talented, multi award winning, young trumpeter Laura Jurd.                + more ...

Sophisticated, seductive, and sassy. Singer May May takes jazz out and about into some intimate venues in Aberdeenshire. Her powerful voice and huge vocal range animates music from the classic American Jazz and Blues songbook + more ...

Those with their ear to the ground will know that Arabatzi is one of the most exciting young vocal talents on the current jazz scene. She has an extraordinary voice, has a deep knowledge and affection for jazz traditions, yet wants to make new music for new audiences too. Accompanied by rising talent Ben MacDonald on guitar + more ...

“Wow … a blissful hour of lush, slightly ethereal harmonies … a rare thrill to hear such classics as “Jeru”, “Moon”, “Dreams”, “Move” and “Godchild” being played live and with such panache and obvious enjoyment by this superb nine-piece outfit” - **** review (The Herald) Richard Ingham recreates Miles Davis classic album with an all-star band: Richard Ingham conductor Colin Steele  trumpet Martin Kershaw alto saxophone Allon Beauvoisin baritone saxophone Rory Ingham  trombone Fergus Kerr  French horn Margaret Douglass tuba Fraser ... + more ...

New Orleans inspired brass band roll from spirited second line revelry to soulful jazz funeral marches and pumping brass driven funk. Straddling genres and groove, the eight-piece Brass Funkeys merge hip hop, funk, metal, reggae, RnB, gypsy, swing and latin playing originals and unusual covers by such as Gorillaz, Royce Wood Junior. They have filled dancefloors at Glastonbury, Rich Mix, Love Supreme and Wilderness and now make their Aberdeen debut. This ... + more ...

Ten-piece classic funk and R&B outfit cover music from the Jackson Five and James Brown to the Temptations, Sister Sledge and Chic. + more ...

Saxophonist Paul Towndrow leads this late night jam session which will feature a multitude of different jazzy guests dropping in to play.  They will showcase their talents, and come together in new and wonderful combinations, creating new music as they go. + more ...

Spend the afternoon in Aberdeen’s West End enjoying live jazz in seven different intimate venues. With music as diverse as the venues, you’ll get everything from singers to swing, funk to fusion from top class musicians – something to suit all tastes. One ticket buys you entry to all the music on offer at this festival within the festival.  Download the programme here The confirmed bands are: Colin Black & Ben MacDonald- Celebrating the guitar ... + more ...

Paul Towndrow joins the Aberdeen University Jazz Orchestra for one night only, celebrating the music of Charles Mingus and Pat Metheny. The evening will also feature the premieres of the Aberdeen Youth Jazz Celebration Composition Winners. Come along and hear the best young musicians Aberdeen has to offer. + more ...

The Swing era brought us so much classy music, from jazz to mainstream pop, from Glenn Miller to Duke Ellington; Frank Sinatra to Ella Fitzgerald. Dave Batchelor, The Scottish Swing Orchestra and their dance group and live projections take you on a breathless race through the chronology of swing, taking you back to those times of extraordinary excitement and the pop music of the 1930s and 40s. The Story of Swing, a ... + more ...