Martin Taylor is the headline act for this year's Aberdeen Jazz Festival. Image - supplied by Aberdeen Jazz Festival
Aberdeen Jazz Festival is about to swing – and blues, and trad and funk – into action transforming the Granite City into a musical wonderland for 10 days.
The extravaganza kicks off on Thursday, 14th March, and will run to Sunday, 24th March, offering a stunning range of concerts and events at venues right across the city with more than 30 events and over 100 artists taking part.
With huge names from the international jazz world to the best of local talent, the fest has been welcomed by Aberdeen Inspired chief executive Adrian Watson as a major boost for the city.
He said: “Aberdeen Jazz Festival attracts thousands of people into the city to enjoy the vibrant atmosphere at one of the most joyous events in the north-east’s cultural calendar.
“Not only will these people love the gigs and activities around the festival, but they will also discover the many great attractions we have here in the city centre, from outstanding restaurants to welcoming bars, great shops to amazing arts venues.
Tommy Smith and Pete Johnstone are heading for the Aberdeen Jazz Festival. Image - supplied by Aberdeen Jazz Festival
“Aberdeen Jazz Festival is a stunning springboard into the lighter nights and longer days, heralding in a fantastic season of cultural events coming our way throughout 2024. We would encourage everyone to get out, join in and help the festival and the city really hit the high notes.”
Under the banner of “This City Is Going To Make Some Noise”, the jazz festival’s organisers say this year’s programme is set to rouse Aberdeen from its winter slumber and fill a host of venues with decidedly diverse sounds.
Highlights include a solo performance by internationally acclaimed guitarist Martin Taylor – who has a record-breaking 14 British Jazz Awards to his credit. He will be the closing act of the festival at The Lemon Tree on Sunday, 24th March.
Another highlight will be the brand-new, specially-formed Aberdeen Jazz Festival Orchestra, which fuses classic Big Band sounds with the skirl of traditional fiddles. It will perform Richard Michael’s piece, Doric Suite, at Fountainhall Church At The Cross on Sunday, 17th March.
Aberdeen Jazz Festival will see some great gigs, including kitti's Great Caledonian Songbook. Image - supplied by Aberdeen Jazz Festival
Other big set pieces include the return of Soundbath at Bon Accord Baths on Sunday, 17th March, offering three site-specific performances in this unique space.
Jazz The Day also returns with a West version at the Great Western Community Centre on Sunday, 17th March, with performances through the day. Then the City iteration will see various venues including The Lemon Tree, The Blue Lamp, and Spin offering a series of gigs on Sunday, March 24.
Also in the festival’s mix will be artists from Stockholm, Amsterdam and Regensburg, as well as a host of homegrown Scottish talent, including world-renowned saxophonist Tommy Smith and former Young Scottish Jazz Musician Of The Year, Peter Johnstone.
To find out more about Aberdeen Jazz Festival 2024 – which includes many free and family-friendly events - visit its website here