Jazz Festival 2026 showcases the Netherlands
The 2026 Edinburgh Jazz & Blues Festival is proud to present SPARK: Jazz from the Netherlands, their flagship international showcase celebrating the creativity, innovation and global influence of Dutch jazz.
Running throughout the festival in July, SPARK highlights both emerging and internationally acclaimed artists from the Netherlands, introducing Scottish audiences to some of the most exciting voices shaping Europe’s contemporary jazz landscape.
The Netherlands has long been recognised for producing musicians of exceptional creative independence and international reach. From established global figures to a new generation reshaping the language of improvised music, Dutch artists are known for a willingness to challenge the traditional.
This is a scene supported by strong conservatoires, forward-thinking venues and a culture that values the experimentation as much as craft. SPARK brings that breadth to the festival stage: distinctive voices, cross-border collaborations and artists who contribute meaningfully to the wider European jazz conversation.
We invite you to open your ears and step into a programme, shaped in the Netherlands, where creativity and imagination go hand in hand. An international celebration of jazz as a living, evolving art form.
Evan and Carolina's Super Duper Group & Fun
[Friday 17 July: The Jazz Bar] Known for her authentic and emotionally charged voice, Carolina Gemmell is a versatile vocalist, active in the Amsterdam jazz and soul scene, and pianist Evan van der Feen has received multiple awards for his expressive and dynamic playing. Together, they form a musical partnership in which improvisation is central. Evan and Carolina's Super Duper Group & Fun performs both original repertoire and jazz standards with a playful, open spirit creating a world that is dreamy, and inventive. The balance between her voice and his piano playing creates introspective moments that alternate with playful grooves, making each performance feel like a unique, intimate experience. Tickets available here.
Harmen Fraanje
[Saturday 18 July: St Mark's Episcopal Church, Portobello] Heralded as one of the most impressive young pianists of the past decade, Harmen Fraanje is a Dutch jazz musician, composer, and internationally recognised teacher with a unique voice in contemporary improvisational music. Thanks to his collaborations with leading musicians such as Ambrose Akinmusire, Mark Turner, Arve Henriksen, Trygve Seim and Han Bennink, he has now become a major figure on the European jazz scene. His music breathes lyricism and introspection, with a refined balance between minimalism and expressive depth creating soundscapes of delicate beauty. In his playing, jazz, classical harmony, and world music blend organically, making the beautiful surroundings of St Mark's Church the perfect setting for this solo concert. Tickets available here.
Van Ruller // Hogenhuis
[Saturday 18 July: St Bride's Centre] In this very special concert, guitarist and Dutch jazz legend Jesse van Ruller (who has performed with the likes of Pat Metheny, Mike Stern, Christian McBride and Peter Bernstein) pairs with rising star saxophonist Maarten Hogenhuis. Even though their musicianship is rooted in jazz, they’re also inspired by singular bands and songwriters such as Sufjan Stevens, Andrew Bird, Grizzly Bear and Blake Mills. With two albums under their belt, this duo deliver a compelling musical dialogue, where warm guitar lines and expressive saxophone meet in lyrical, free-flowing improvisation. They present a beautifully understated dialogue between guitar and saxophone, balancing melodic elegance with adventurous improvisation. Tickets available here.
Peter Somuah Group
[Saturday 19 July: St Bride's Centre] One of Europe’s most compelling emerging talents, Peter Somuah is a Dutch trumpeter of striking imagination and depth, with a sound that is unmistakably his own. With his acclaimed release Highlife, Somuah reconnects with the music of his native Ghana. The result is thrilling and deeply personal: modern jazz infused with the pulse of highlife. Tickets available here.
Mooren | Watson | Herberholz | Irons
[Monday 20 July: The Jazz Bar] For this very special collaborative concert, rising star Dutch saxophonist Femke Mooren has been paired some of the leading lights of the next generation of Scottish jazz. She is a previous recipient of the Woman in Jazz Prize and winner of the 2023 Princess Christina Jazz Concours, and she joins Ali Watson, Greg Irons and Simon Herberholz for this one-off concert. Together, they promise evening of vibrant, cross-border musical collaboration that celebrates the boundless spirit of contemporary jazz. Bringing together distinct musical voices and shared creative curiosity, the project highlights the strength of international collaboration in shaping the next generation of jazz artists. Tickets available here.
Ponga
[Tuesday 21 July: The Jazz Bar] With Ponga, anything is possible. Formed in 2023, they thrive on the possibilities of free improvisation, which is at the core of everything they play. The Dutch trio switch between percussive, melodic, and harmonic roles, resulting in eclectic performances that encompass a variety of musical styles, including soundscapes, rock, jazz and classical music. Their performances blend compositional forms, infectious grooves, and unconventional melodies, often originating from experimentation and free play. With a shared a background in theatre, expect both musical and theatrical fireworks from this exceptional band. Tickets available here.
And finaly, Dutch Jazz Talk
[Tuesday 21 July: The Jazz Bar] Music writer Henning Bolte explores the Dutch jazz scene, uncovering fascinating connections between Scotland and The Netherlands. Tickets available here.
