Musical talent from across Scotland to perform at the 35th Glasgow Jazz Festival this June
Glasgow Jazz Festival has announced the first bill of artists who are set to perform as part of their three-day digital festival for 2021, taking place between Friday 18 and Sunday 20 June.
Stunning performances from Scottish musical talent across a spectrum of genres including jazz, blues, soul, funk, R&B, electronic and world music, will be available to enjoy as part of the summer festival.
Early Bird online festival passes are on sale now at www.jazzfest.co.uk. This All-Access ticket will give fans unlimited access to the full weekend of entertainment for just £25 where they can watch over a dozen performances, DJ sets and much more from across the Scottish jazz scene.
East end arts and music venue Saint Luke’s will play host to a series of special performances from homegrown and established jazz musicians, who are the first acts of the programme to be revealed.
Kicking off a weekend of sensational sounds will be the multi-award-winning Fergus McCreadie Trio. Hot on the heels of the release of their acclaimed second album this year, the trio are set to share their exuberant, uplifting and soul-stirring live show with digital audiences.
Saturday night will see a show-stopping performance from Laura MacDonald Quartet – fronted by leading Scottish saxophonist and composer Laura MacDonald, before Glasgow collective corto.alto amaze audiences with a dose of their energetic hip-hop and soul inspired nu-jazz brilliance, led by trombonist Liam Shortall.
Each of these three acts – Fergus McCreadie Trio, Laura MacDonald Quartet and corto.alto – will also each premiere a new piece of music specially commissioned by the festival at their shows.
The weekend of Saint Luke’s sessions will conclude on Sunday with performances from award-winning jazz vocalist Georgia Cecile and Mama Terra – a new musical collaboration between Scottish musician, composer and producer Marco Cafolla and critically acclaimed saxophonist Konrad Wiszniewski.
With Glasgow Jazz Festival audiences rising by almost a third in 2019 and a successful digital edition of the festival in 2020 alongside a string of winter and spring livestream shows taking place over the last year, jazz fans across Scotland and beyond are expected to enjoy this year’s digital programme.
Much-loved Glasgow jazz venue The Blue Arrow will also host a programme of performances still to be announced. Surprise pop-up bonus tracks from a selection of performers, a Women in Jazz interview series and a London session are set to complete the exciting online line-up.
Early Bird Festival Passes will be available for a limited time only, after this the price for an ‘All-Access’ Festival Pass will increase. Performances will be available to view on demand for seven days following broadcast. The festival takes place thanks to funding and support from Creative Scotland and EventScotland.
Jill Rodger, Director of Glasgow Jazz Festival, said: “This year’s Glasgow Jazz Festival will see us bring an array of exciting talent from the local jazz scence to global audiences with our programme of digital events. Going online allows us to continue supporting the rich and diverse jazz ecosystem in the city including musicians, local venues and an array of industry specialists, such as production, sound and lighting, that work tirelessly to bring audiences the best live music.
“The musicians can’t wait to share their art from venues across Glasgow with audiences worldwide and I hope people are able to enjoy the shows from home until we are able to safely gather and share music in person with one another again.”
Clare Hewitt, Music Officer at Creative Scotland said: “Festivals have always had an important role to play in giving Scotland’s homegrown talent the platform it deserves, and this year’s virtual Glasgow Jazz Festival is no exception. Showcasing the city’s vibrant and diverse jazz scene, the 2021 festival programme ensures audiences from Scotland and around the world will discover their new favourite artists and encounter well-loved musical friends.”
Paul Bush OBE, VisitScotland’s Director of Events said: “We are delighted to support Glasgow Jazz Festival through Scotland’s Events Recovery Fund – their online programme for 2021 is packed with Scottish talent for everyone to watch from the comfort of their homes and we look forward to welcoming these performers and more back to Glasgow’s stages for live audiences when the time is right.”
For more information and to buy an Early Bird Festival Pass please visit www.jazzfest.co.uk. Tickets go on sale at 12pm on Wednesday, 19 May 2021.
