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Originally set-up in 1978 by banjo-player and guitarist Mike Hart, The Edinburgh Jazz & Blues Festival has progressed from a free event across Edinburgh’s pubs, to one of the most respected Jazz and Blues festivals in the world.  
 
Now in its 33rd year, the festival offers a diverse and exciting range of high quality jazz and blues concerts and shows no signs of ageing!
 
Audiences will welcome the presence of some of the world’s most celebrated Jazz and Blues musicians and the opportunity to see them in some of Edinburgh’s top venues including The Queens Hall, The Jazz Bar and the HMV Picturehouse. Among this year’s Jazz highlights are stars such as Rene Marie, Courtney Pine, Curtis Stigers, Leroy Jones and James Carter. There’s also a host of major blues names including Robert Cray, Jack Bruce, Joe Louis Walker, Sherman Robertson, James Hunter and Tim Elliot fronting The Troublemakers.
 
With over 90 events taking place across 12 venues the festival includes everything from big band concerts to more intimate performances covering New Orleans, Dixieland, ragtime, free jazz and Chicago Blues. Audiences can enjoy celebrations of the music of Louis Armstrong and Stan Getz, a recreation of the Gil Evans/Miles Davis collaboration Miles Ahead by the Edinburgh Festival Jazz Orchestra and Trombone Shorty, the sensation of rock and jazz festivals all over the world, will also be bringing his funky urban sounds to Edinburgh this year.

The Scottish Jazz Expo provides a platform for emerging and more established Scottish jazz musicians to showcase at the festival and this year the line-up is as strong as ever. There are concerts from Konrad Wiszniewski, Mario Caribe, brilliant young pianist Tom Gibbs, Martin Kershaw, and Angela King - who will be launching an album with her new band featuring Kershaw and Brian Kellock. Trio AAB will play with Indian star violinist Ganesh Kumaresh and Chick Lyall & Rob Hall perform with visual artist Susheila Jamieson.

Other Scottish artists performing at the festival include Niki King, who is celebrating the release of her new New York produced soul-funk album, It’s All Good; the Hidden Orchestra, who are taking time out from their European tour for a special concert with high profile guests; Tommy Smith plays with his fusion band Karma; the Kyle-Keddie Sextet reform for a one-off concert and there are special concerts by bands led by Haftor Medboe, Dave Batchelor and Kenny Ellis. 
 
With a range of special offers and tickets from only £5, there’s something for everyone to enjoy, whether they are a jazz aficionado or experiencing jazz or blues for the first time. 

Visit www.edinburghjazzfestival.com to see the full programme.