Latest news with #GlasgowJazzFestival
The Herald Scotland
6 days ago
- Entertainment
- The Herald Scotland
Special show to celebrate Glasgow-based jazz musicians
Co-created by multi-award winning pianist Fergus McCreadie, the special show will be at Saint Luke's on June 22 as part of the Glasgow Jazz Festival. It has been added to the lineup as part of the Glasgow 850 celebrations, with the festival fund providing financial backing. Read More: Nathan Somevi, a Ghanaian-born British musician, honed his musical talents in the vibrant atmosphere of church performances during his upbringing. Inspired by his roots, he embarked on a musical journey enriched by diverse influences and has found a musical home in Glasgow. He will perform as a trio with Niall Ford (keyboards) and Kenny Lyons (drums) as he melds global influences to produce dynamic sounds. Azamiah are a Glasgow-based nu-jazz band, with members from France, London and Stonehaven, who have been nestled within the burgeoning music scene of Glasgow and Scotland since 2020. Through their music, Azamiah brings a healing experience, taking audiences on a journey across moody and light landscapes. The concert will also feature AKU! comprising Harry Weir, Graham Costello and Liam Shortall who swapped Birmingham, East Renfrewshire and Dumfries and Galloway for Glasgow to pursue their passion. A sax-bone-drums trio, AKU! combine hardcore, afrobeat, breakbeats and jazz music, inspired by the likes of Fela Kuti and Deftones. Mr McCreadie said: 'This is such an exciting programme for me and I can't wait to watch it! Glasgow is an amazing place to be a jazz musician right now – it's been so exciting to see the scene develop over the past 10 years and these three bands are a great marker of that continual improvement." Jill Rodger, Director of Glasgow Jazz Festival, said: 'The New Jazzwegians will be a fitting celebration of our home and the perfect way to close our 39th edition as we pay homage to the thriving hub of collaboration and creativity Glasgow has become for jazz musicians from around the world. "As Glasgow's longest running festival, we're incredibly excited to be part of the Glasgow 850 celebrations and mark this milestone moment for our vibrant home city, bringing the joyful spirit of jazz to children and reaching new audiences in Govan. "We look forward to bringing it all to life for audiences this June.' Tickets for Glasgow Jazz Festival 2025 are on sale now. Visit
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.'
Glasgow Times
24-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Glasgow Times
Glasgow 850 fund backs jazz, arts and community events
The Glasgow Jazz Festival, Scottish Mental Health Arts Festival, and WestFest are among the recipients of the second phase of the one-off Glasgow 850 Festival Fund. Five organisations that stage annual city events received a total of £25,000 to improve their existing offerings that celebrate Glasgow talent, engage young people and expand community outreach. The 39th edition of the Glasgow Jazz Festival, which will be held from June 18 to 22, will feature five special free and discounted afternoon events during the weekend of June 21 and 22. More: Top cop calls on football clubs to organise title celebration events after chaos Jill Rodger, director of Glasgow Jazz Festival, said: "As Glasgow's longest-running festival, we're incredibly excited to be part of the Glasgow 850 celebrations and mark this milestone moment for our vibrant home city, known for its rich musical heritage and diversity. "This support from Glasgow 850 has allowed us to expand our festival programme and stage a series of weekend afternoon events which bring the joyful spirit of jazz to children, reach new audiences in Govan, and celebrate Glasgow's role as a thriving hub and destination for Scottish and international jazz talent to collaborate and flourish. "We look forward to bringing it all to life for audiences at our 39th edition this June." At the end of October, the Scottish Mental Health Arts Festival will mark Glasgow 850 with two new initiatives. More: Star of legendary Scots rock band pictured at Glasgow restaurant In addition to these flagship awards, £35,000 was distributed through the Glasgow 850 Celebration Fund to 44 grassroots projects of up to £850, with each ward in the city represented. Councillor Susan Aitken, leader of Glasgow City Council, said: "Glasgow 850 is a celebration of our city's past, present and future – and it's the people of Glasgow who are making it their own. "These events, both large and small, reflect the pride, creativity and community spirit that define how people feel about their city and how they want to mark the year. "With this money, we've been able to support such a wide range of activities that will bring people together in every part of the city.'
Scotsman
18-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Scotsman
Under the Radar: Azamiah
Glasgow four-piece Azamiah will be touring their elegant, laid-back sound to all the right places over the next few months, write Olaf Furniss and Derick Mackinnon Sign up to our Arts and Culture newsletter 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... Glasgow-based Azamiah have been a growing force on the city's burgeoning jazz scene since forming in 2020. Their debut album, IN PHASES, has notched up a respectable one million streams since its release in 2023 on the influential Rebecca Records, and the four-piece have picked up plays on Radio Scotland, BBC Introducing and Jazz FM, as well as performing at Kelburn Garden Party, Glasgow Jazz Festival and Wilderness. Azamiah Describing themselves as nu-jazz, Azamiah cite Hiatus Kaiyote, SAULT and James Blake as inspirations, but bring a rich tapestry of experience to their collective, ranging from open mic nights to playing in tech metal and radical prog funk outfits. Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad The band's favoured approach to composing involves retreating to the countryside and writing music to accompany the lyrics of vocalist India Blue – a way of working which shines through in their elegant, laid-back sound. This week Azamiah showcased at the Great Escape festival in Brighton, and on 3 June they release their Two Lands EP on fetching yellow vinyl via Floating World Records. The summer sees them booked for Kelburn Garden Party, Latitude Festival and Edinburgh Jazz & Blues Festival, and they have a UK tour scheduled for October. See Olaf Furniss and Derick Mackinnon run music industry seminar and social night Born To Be Wide visit
Yahoo
15-04-2025
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
Jazz duo dubbed UK's hardest-working group to perform
A jazz duo dubbed the UK's hardest-working group is set to perform in Hereford. They are playing at Holme Lacy Village Hall on Bridge Road, on Saturday May 3. Tickets are £15, with accompanied under-16s going free, and the performance starting at 7.30pm. Tickets are available from Ian Millar and Dominic Spencer, who are based in Edinburgh, have been playing as a saxophone and piano duo across the UK for a number of years. The duo plays melodic improvisations on jazz standards and original compositions. They have had success at the Edinburgh Fringe Festival with their show, Jazz at Lunchtime, which has sold out on several occasions. The duo also regularly tours the UK, playing in halls and arts centres, often bringing jazz to remote communities. They have played at the Glasgow Jazz Festival, the Bath Fringe Festival, the Mission Theatre in Bath, and the Lyth Arts Centre. They have been described by critics as "a piano and saxophone combo of the highest calibre" and "beautiful soaring magic".
