Latest news with #EdinburghJazzandBluesFestival
Scotsman
29-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Scotsman
Legendary Scottish pianist who embodied the 'spirit of jazz' dies aged 63
Brian Kellock was one of the best-known pianists on the UK jazz scene. Sign up to our Arts and Culture newsletter, get the latest news and reviews from our specialist arts writers Sign up Thank you for signing up! Did you know with a Digital Subscription to The Scotsman, you can get unlimited access to the website including our premium content, as well as benefiting from fewer ads, loyalty rewards and much more. Learn More Sorry, there seem to be some issues. Please try again later. Submitting... Tributes have poured in for legendary Scottish jazz pianist Brian Kellock, who has died aged 63. Mr Kellock, who was one of the best known pianists on the UK jazz scene, died following an illness. Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad Born in Glasgow, Mr Kellock graduated with a degree in music from the University of Edinburgh in 1986. He then established his position in the UK jazz scene, working with Herb Geller, Sheila Jordan and Art Farmer. He later often performed in a trio, with Kenny Ellis on bass and drummer John Rae. In a joint statement, the Edinburgh Jazz and Blues Festival, Jazz Scotland and the Glasgow Jazz Festival said Mr Kellock would be 'truly missed'. They said: 'Legendary Scottish jazz pianist Brian Kellock passed away last night in Glasgow. One of Scotland's most talented musicians, he was famous for his fast-playing virtuoso style. He was a key player for the last 40 years in Scotland, starring at jazz festivals, collaborating with international stars and winning many jazz awards. Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad 'He will truly be missed by everyone. Our thoughts go out to his family.' Scottish jazz pianist Fraser Urquhart recalled Mr Kellock as someone who played with 'pianistic abandon'. Colin Steele and Brian Kellock He said: 'He never really seemed to play like the people we all listen to. He had this own vibe. 'It was witty and alive. You were always able to hear glimpses of what he loved that had stuck on him: the drama he got from Monty Alexander and Oscar Peterson for instance; some of that offbeat, free edginess from Jaki Byard and the pianist we always liked to discuss – Jimmy Rowles. Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad 'He knew how to shape a song into something unusual, something that no one had ever heard before – every single time something new. He took chances on every chorus - the sound of surprise, the spirit of jazz.'
Yahoo
28-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
Touching tributes for 'legendary' Edinburgh musician hailed as 'colossal talent'
Tributes have poured in for an Edinburgh musician who was a 'genius in his field'. Brian Kellock, who was born in the capital and went on to study music at the University of Edinburgh, passed away on Tuesday at the age of 63. Through his life, he established himself as one of the top piano players in the UK jazz scene. Known for his 'disctinctive, swinging' playing style, Kellock collaborated with international stars and won many awards through his career. He has been branded a 'colossus' by fellow musicians. READ MORE: Edinburgh passengers face 'cancellations' after emergency 'incident' closes lines READ MORE: Unruly Edinburgh youths in balaclavas speed through city, swerving past cars The Edinburgh Jazz and Blues Festival said: "Legendary Scottish Jazz pianist Brian Kellock passed away last night in Glasgow. "One of Scotland's most talented musicians he was famous for his fast-playing virtuoso style. He was a key player for the last 40 years in Scotland, starring at jazz festivals, collaborating with international stars and winning many jazz awards. "He will truly be missed by everyone. Our thoughts go out to his family." Sign up for Edinburgh Live newsletters for more headlines straight to your inbox Whighams Jazz Club in Edinburgh posted: "Dear Brian - You were a colossus! "The Scottish and wider UK jazz community has been left a little poorer today. The magnitude of your loss will be felt for some time. Similar to every where you played, you left Whighams' audiences spellbound by your immense talent." Fellow musician Christine Bovill said: "I am deeply shocked and saddened at the news of Brian Kellock's passing. I witnessed his virtuosity on many occasions and had the great honour of being accompanied by him on stage (including live on Newsnight). Join Edinburgh Live's Whatsapp Community here and get the latest news sent straight to your messages. "He was a colossal talent; a genius in his field and the loveliest gent. Unspeakably sad. Travel well, maestro." UK Jazz News added: "We are very sad to hear of the death yesterday, 27 May 2025, of the very great Scottish pianist, a central and hugely influential figure on the Scottish scene for decades, Brian Kellock. "We will have tributes in due course."
Edinburgh Live
28-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Edinburgh Live
Touching tributes for 'legendary' Edinburgh musician hailed as 'colossal talent'
Our community members are treated to special offers, promotions and adverts from us and our partners. You can check out at any time. More info Tributes have poured in for an Edinburgh musician who was a 'genius in his field'. Brian Kellock, who was born in the capital and went on to study music at the University of Edinburgh, passed away on Tuesday at the age of 63. Through his life, he established himself as one of the top piano players in the UK jazz scene. Known for his 'disctinctive, swinging' playing style, Kellock collaborated with international stars and won many awards through his career. He has been branded a 'colossus' by fellow musicians. The Edinburgh Jazz and Blues Festival said: "Legendary Scottish Jazz pianist Brian Kellock passed away last night in Glasgow. "One of Scotland's most talented musicians he was famous for his fast-playing virtuoso style. He was a key player for the last 40 years in Scotland, starring at jazz festivals, collaborating with international stars and winning many jazz awards. "He will truly be missed by everyone. Our thoughts go out to his family." Sign up for Edinburgh Live newsletters for more headlines straight to your inbox Whighams Jazz Club in Edinburgh posted: "Dear Brian - You were a colossus! "The Scottish and wider UK jazz community has been left a little poorer today. The magnitude of your loss will be felt for some time. Similar to every where you played, you left Whighams' audiences spellbound by your immense talent." Fellow musician Christine Bovill said: "I am deeply shocked and saddened at the news of Brian Kellock's passing. I witnessed his virtuosity on many occasions and had the great honour of being accompanied by him on stage (including live on Newsnight). Join Edinburgh Live's Whatsapp Community here and get the latest news sentstraight to your messages. "He was a colossal talent; a genius in his field and the loveliest gent. Unspeakably sad. Travel well, maestro." UK Jazz News added: "We are very sad to hear of the death yesterday, 27 May 2025, of the very great Scottish pianist, a central and hugely influential figure on the Scottish scene for decades, Brian Kellock. "We will have tributes in due course."
The Herald Scotland
30-04-2025
- Entertainment
- The Herald Scotland
Edinburgh's Mardi Gras party dropped over funding shortfall
It has usually been the first major event of the summer festivals season since it was instigated by the Edinburgh Jazz and Blues Festival in 1993. Read more: However organisers have cited an £80,000 shortfall in the first of three years of a new Scottish Government funding deal, which they secured in January. That have also suggested that a three-month delay to the announcement of Creative Scotland's three-year programme, which had been due to be made in October, was also partly responsible for the decision. The delay has already been blamed by the Edinburgh International Festival for the dropping of its own large-scale opening event this summer as part of a scaling back of its programme. The Herald revealed earlier this week that organisers of Glasgow's annual book festival had postponed its comeback and were still seeking new dates for the event. Plans for a reboot of Aye Write were affected by the government's decision to delay a new funding settlement for Creative Scotland until the Scottish Budget was announced in December. Creative Scotland secured a £40 million boost to its main long-term funding programme, receiving the vast majority of £54m in new arts funding confirmed by ministers. However the budget increase is being rolled out to Creative Scotland across two years, meaning many festivals, events, venues and organisations have been given a reduced offer for the current financial year. The Edinburgh International Festival has seen its annual funding increase from £2.3m last year year to £3.2m this year but will have to wait another year to receive another £1m it has been pledged. The Edinburgh International Book Festival's funding has increased from £306,000 to £520,000 this year and will rise to £580,000 next year. Dating back to 1978, the Edinburgh Jazz and Blues Festival has since grown to become one of the biggest events of its type in Europe. The 10-day festival, which will feature more than 100 events, is one of 141 organisations to receive 'multi-year' Scottish Government for the first time this year, with the jazz celebration receiving £260,000 this year and £340,000 for the following two years. The event has posted on social media that the annual Mardi Gras would not be going ahead due to 'the ongoing challenges facing the creative industries.' Its absence is the second major blow for the festival in the space of two years after it was forced to abandon its annual parade through the city centre due to funding problems. The Edinburgh Festival Carnival, which was previous known as the Edinburgh Festival Cavalcade, had taken over the city centre on the first Sunday of the festivals season since the mid-1970s and had been run by the jazz festival since 2010. However the parade had to be shelved due to the rising cost of installing temporary security measures in the city centre for the event, forcing the jazz festival to confine its carnival to West Princes Street Gardens in 2023 and 2024. Funding is in place to ensure the carnival can return there this year, with more than 700 performers due to take part in the free event. And organisers insist they planning to bring both the Mardi Gras event and the city centre parade back in 2026. Jazz festival producer Fiona Alexander said: 'Like many others, we received less funding in year one of our multi-annual award from Creative Scotland. 'Coupled with the delayed decision, this meant we had to adapt our planning which included a fallow year for the Mardi Gras. 'The Mardi Gras and the Edinburgh Festival Carnival are both funded through our grants from Creative Scotland and the city council. 'The Mardi Gras attracted a total of 7500 people last year, with 30 musicians appearing across its three stages, including performances from the Jazz Rebels, Viper Swing, Cow Cow Boogie, Rigid Soul, DopeSickFly, and Carter & The Killer Horns. 'There will be three mini parades in West Princes Street Gardens this year, with music across three stages, including the Ross Bandstand. 'But we are looking at raising funds to cover the cost of hostile vehicle mitigation measured for 2026, so we can go back onto The Mound and Princes Street. 'We are 100 per cent committed to reinstating the Mardi Gras in 2026 when our grant monies increase.' A spokeswoman for Creative Scotland said: "The Edinburgh Jazz and Blues Festival is among 251 organisations to be awarded multi-year funding for the next three financial years. "This consistent, year-on-year funding provides vital stability, enabling organisations like the Edinburgh Jazz and Blues Festival to plan their programming with greater confidence. "We're excited to support their work and look forward to fostering a closer partnership in the years ahead." Despite the loss of the Mardi Gras event, the jazz festival has confirmed it will be staging concerts in St Andrew Square for the first time in nine years this summer, when the Famous Spiegeltent venue makes a comeback. Special guests in the festival line-up including American stars Julian Lage, Anaïs Reno, Curtis Stigers and Kenny Wayne Shepherd, German drummer Gerwin Eisenhauer, Polish pianist Joanna Duda, and Scottish favourites Colin Steele and Paul Harrison. Alan Morrison, Creative Scotland's head of music, said: 'The 2025 festival is the first to be supported through Creative Scotland's multi-year funding programme, which puts this essential event on a stable three-year footing at a time when Scotland's jazz sector is overflowing with talent and attracting attention from all over the world.' Scottish culture secretary Angus Robertson said: 'The Scottish Government is proud to continue our support for the Edinburgh Jazz and Blues Festival. 'Receiving multi-year funding from Creative Scotland for the first time, thanks in part to a record increase in culture spending in the 2025-26 Scottish Budget, will ensure they have certainty and confidence to build on this year's programme and plan ambitiously for the years ahead.'
