The very best in modern jazz, funk and soul, with more than a nod to the current, incredible, jazz scene in Scotland, will flock to Newton Stewart over 28th-30th June 2024 for the inaugural Jazz, Funk & Soul Festival at The Vault Arts Centre; and what an incredible line-up of talent it is!
Matt Carmichael Band (Friday 28th June 2024)
Heralded by BBC Music Magazine as ‘a distinctive new voice in a crowded scene’, saxophonist and composer Matt Carmichael continues to move from strength to strength and grow his reach globally with his powerfully emotive blend of Jazz and Folk music. He has performed throughout Europe at Celtic Connections, Ronnie Scott’s, Love Supreme, Bimhuis as well as being a guest soloist with the Grammy Award winning WDR Big Band in Germany were his music was arranged by Bob Mintzer.
Matt’s debut album ‘Where Will The River Flow’ was critically acclaimed, amassing over 5 Million streams and he was subsequently signed to the renowned Jazz label Edition Records who released his second album ‘Marram’ in October 2022. Some of the musicians Matt has collaborated with include Fergus McCreadie, Rob Luft, Bob Mintzer, WDR Big Band, corto.alto, Charlie Stewart, Brìghde Chaimbeul, Kathleen MacInness, Liv Andrea Hauge, Innes White, Juliette Lemoine, Kim Carnie and Rachel Sermanni.
Marianne McGregor (Saturday 29th June 2024)
Marianne McGregor is a prominent new voice in the Scottish Jazz Scene. Highly acclaimed ‘Best Vocalist’ at the Scottish Jazz Awards 2021, McGregor continues to gain recognition for her powerful voice, improvising and original songs.
Taking inspiration from her great jazz influencers, Marianne has a tone comparable to the likes of Amy Winehouse, an Ella-like freedom towards improvisation and captures phrasing and emotion with the power of Billie Holiday.
Following on from three big single releases in 2021, McGregor is now working towards releasing another original album, to follow her debut album ‘Good Morning Warning’ and second album of jazz covers ’Standards’, both albums are available on all digital listening platforms.
Fraser Clark (Saturday 29th June 2024)
Born in Perth, 1983. Fraser studied piano for two years at what was then, the junior department of The Royal Scottish Academy of Music and Drama. He attended Glasgow University in 2001 as a BMus student. Fraser has been working as a jazz and blues pianist for over 20 years and has played in R n B band Redfish and a Glasgow based jazz fusion band.
Since moving to Dumfries in 2009 Fraser has participated in musical groups such as the Dumfries Choral Society, his own chamber jazz ensemble and The Balliol Singers who premiered two of his works. In 2018 he received his first professional commission from The Ferio Saxophone Quartet in conjunction with the Absolute Classics Festival, which was performed at the Theatre Royal in Dumfries in 2019. He is a member of the Dumfries band The Hi Wasters.
Fraser has begun recording his debut solo jazz album. Upcoming performances include The Beattock Bash and Kirkcudbright Fringe Festival.
Take Two – Jazz! (Sunday 29th June 2024)
A new duo on the Scottish jazz scene, bringing together two talented performers who share a love for creative interpretations of mellow tunes, bringing fresh approaches to well-kent standards and a few surprises too!
Evelyn Laurie is an eclectic artist who draws inspiration from every corner of the music landscape, Evelyn Laurie has made a name in both domestic and international circles as a gifted singer and songwriter.
Known for her transcendent vocals and contemporary jazz stylings, Evelyn, who hails from Paisley, has been delighting audiences with her distinctive approach to well-known standards, wonderfully unconventional takes on non-jazz oriented tracks and her original compositions, in recent years.
With a clutch of critically acclaimed albums and single releases to her credit and worldwide radio play, praise for her includes:
“Fabulous” – Langtoun Jazz Festival
“Pitch perfect vocals” – Mill Magazine
“Distinctive voice, great presence…will go far” – BBC Radio
Jan Winder is a talented multi-instrumentalist, Jan Winder has built a strong reputation as an accomplished pianist, composer and arranger.
While comfortable in a variety of genres, she has a natural affinity with jazz which allows her to provide innovative interpretations, both of its ‘standard’ repertoire and of tunes drawn from other musical categories.
An excellent collaborator, she revels in opportunities to work with singers and instrumentalists to create original sounds. Whilst loving all forms of live music, nowadays Jan leans increasingly towards the meditative qualities of Scandinavian jazz and the beautiful soundscape evoked by the nature and scenery of her Galloway home.
Priced at just £25.00 per person for over 25s, or £20.00 for 12-25 year olds, a Weekend Pass gives you access to all three concerts over 3 days which, if purchasing individually, would otherwise cost £36.00. A huge saving of up to £11.00 per person!
This year’s festival is supported by Dumfries & Galloway Arts Festival’s Support for Ambition Venues Fund. We are extremely grateful for their vision and support which has allowed us to bring another outstanding event to The Vault Arts Centre this year.
Tickets can be purchased online at The Vault Arts Centre official website at www.thevaultartscentre.co.uk or in person at The Vault Arts Centre.
Each tour is priced at £25 per person, with a maximum of 30 people per tour to ensure a personalized experience. John Candlish, who has dedicated over 40 years to nurturing Dabton’s gardens, will guide visitors through four acres of formal gardens within 27 acres of mixed woodland. The tour highlights include the kitchen garden, heritage vegetable plot and secret garden where John will share his knowledge and maybe even some of his secrets to horticultural success.
The tiny Victorian boathouse was built over 130 years ago, and has seen volunteer crews experience triumph, including launching 10 times during World War II, saving 12 lives.
The local RNLI lifeboat station is calling on the public to be a lifesaver by supporting the new station appeal, with the station aiming to raise £50,000 towards the exciting new plans.