The Aberdeen Jazz Festival, which will take place Thursday 11th to Sunday 22nd March, will release tickets for five concerts on Wednesday 29 January at noon.
The full program will be launched in shortly, and is set to include a host of exciting Festival firsts and one-off specials and the iconic Jazz On the Green.
Tickets are available to the general public from Wednesday 29 January online at www.aberdeenjazzfetival.com
The irrepressible singer, Ali Affleck and the acclaimed Copper Cats transport you to the prohibition era, delivering good time, swinging vintage jazz, with Alison’s deep love and knowledge of early jazz vocals to the fore in New Orleans classics and sings by Bessie Smith, Mildred Bailey, Louis Armstrong and Ma Rainey. For one night only, the Copper Cats band feature New Orleans pianist, Joplin Parnell, and multi-instumentalist, Ewan Bleach plus the all-girl band that’s taking the Scottish early jazz scene by storm, The Red Hot Rhythm Makers. A Night In New Orleans features over 14 musicians on stage for a vibrant celebration of the city and it music. The play Aberdeen Music Hall on Thursday 19 March
On Sunday 15th March, Melvin Taylor Blues Band and Stevie Nimmo Trio present a sensational blues double bill at the Lemon Tree. One of the greatest guitarists and vocalists in Chicago blues history, “Melvin Taylor’s arsenal consists of blinding speed, a feverish wah-wah pedal, a range of tones that leaps from groans to squeals, and notes bent so dramatically that his guitar sounds like it’s retching. Taylor succeeds because he’s a virtuoso who pushes the limits of his own skills.” (Living Blues Magazine). Opening the show, Stevie Nimmo combines Glaswegian grit with Louisiana Swamp, Memphis Soul and Tex Mex Grooves, as happy tearing things up on electric lead guitar as he is on down-home acoustic roots. "Stevie’s voice is at times gritty, other times emotional but all times perfection!" (Maverick Magazine).
Acclaimed Scottish trumpeter, Colin Steele debuts his latest project in Aberdeen at Queen’s Cross Church on Saturday 14 March. He has been inspired by the quirky, romantic, disillusioned and joyful tunes written by one of the greatest songwriters of the past 50 years, Joni Mitchell. Steele’s approach is to savour the simplicity; not stray too far from the melody; look for beauty; and create tunes that glow and sparkle with warmth and affection. It’s a beautiful concept that not many musicians could pull off, but with David Milligan (piano), David Bowden (bass) and Alyn Cosker (drums) he does it!
A fierce, energetic and irresistibly danceable live show from afrobeat-inspired rock-funk-psych juggernaut, Agbeko. With an onslaught of horns, guitars, percussion and gutsy vocals, the eleven-strong outfit deliver powerful defiant songs packed with riffs, groove and lyrical prowess to move gig-goers, festival throngs and afro-funk afficionados alike. Their anthemic live shows have graced Festivals like Boomtown, Green Man, Soundwave, Wilderness, or Meadows in the Mountains. Fans of Fela Kuti, Ibibio Sound Machine and The Souljazz Orchestra, take note! They play the Lemon Tree on Thursday 19 March.
The most exciting young Scottish jazz musician to emerge for decades, pianist Fergus McCreadie has established an enormous fan base in a very short timespan: the sensational pianist gets standing ovations and five star reviews everywhere he goes including last year’s amazing show at The Blue Lamp. Here he is for the first time in a concert setting in Aberdeen, a perfect place for McCreadie’s beautifully crafted music. The trio’s sets are packed with emotional charge, effervescent, and often spiritually uplifting, with the leader’s compositions combining jazz sensibility with tunes rooted in traditional Scottish mode. David Bowden (bass) and Stephen Henderson (drums) match McCreadie’s verve, skill and sensitivity with precision and unerring empathy. “Prodigious cascading technique, communicating warmth and personality” (The Herald), “Simply outstanding” (Jazzwise). Fergus McCreadie Trio play Queen’s Cross Church on Saturday 21 March.
Amongst the packed programme of top-quality acts coming to Aberdeen in March, we can announce concerts by Brian Kellock and Tina May and Gil Scott Heron Songbook presented by Jazz At The Blue Lamp. Whilst Aberdeen’s biggest street music party, Jazz On The Green returns on Sunday 15thMarch.
Adrian Watson Chief Executive of Aberdeen Inspired said “Aberdeen Inspired is delighted to once again support the return of the ever-growing Aberdeen Jazz Festival to Aberdeen. We were delighted when organisers took the opportunity to broaden its offering across the city centre and bring some of the very best local, national and international musicians to our many fine hotels, pubs, restaurants and public buildings.
“The feedback from those that attend is very positive indeed and we urge those from the city, north-east and further afield to book early where needed and consider making a night or a weekend of it in our fine city centre.”
Keith MacRae Chair of the Aberdeen Jazz Festival said, “We are excited to be able to bring so much exciting music to Aberdeen. We especially welcome visitors from the USA and, of course, some of the very exciting musicians working in Scotland today.”
For further information or images, please contact:
Aberdeen Jazz Festival: Fiona Alexander, T: 0131 467 3660, E: fiona@jazzscotland.com
Aberdeen Inspired: Jessica Murphy, T: 01224 566291, E: Jessica.Murphy@aberdeeninspired.com