Get ready for the Scottish Blues Weekend

Taking place on 18 & 19 February, the Scottish Blues Weekend will see familiar faces as well as some new names to Edinburgh Jazz & BLues Festival. From early country blues to 60s and 70s electric blues rock and beyond, we've got something for all tastes. With events in the atmospheric surroundings of St Bride’s Centre, Dalry and La Belle Angele in the Grassmarket, check out all our events below and get your tickets now!

Saturday 18th February

The Black Denims & Tennessee Hotshots [La Belle Angele]: A double bill featuring two new names for EJBF audiences. The Black Denims have deep roots in American music, taking inspiration from country, jazz, blues and Rock 'n' Roll mixed with traditional/Celtic elements. Imagine Dr John and Ray Charles meeting a Scottish fiddler. Opening the set, a band that is at the forefront of rockabilly in Scotland, The Tennessee Hotshots. Up-tempo numbers rub shoulders alongside riffs inspired by Bo Diddley or Carl Perkins. With compelling vocals, slap double bass, and classic rockabilly guitar picking, the Hotshots will get the joint jumping.  

Saturday 19th February

Blues Afternoon [St Bride's Centre]: A triple bill featuring Mud in Your Ear with Gary Martin, Dave Kelly solo and Blue Milk. Authentic old blues styles and Mississippi delta roots, from Mud In your Ear Trio. Richard O'Donnell and Allan Jones are joined by harmonica ace Gary Martin. British blues icon and founder member of The Blues Band, Dave Kelly delivers a rare solo acoustic set inspired by Mississippi style blues, proving just why he is called the slide guitar king. Blue Milk hark back to the traditions of turn-of-the-century, down home delta blues and 60s and 70s electric blues rock. With influences galore, some Ry Cooder, some Captain Beefheart, some Hill Country blues they deliver a powerful, melodic sound with youthful exuberance.

The Burnside Burners [St Bride's Centre]: New to the burgeoning Scottish blues scene, The Burnside Burners are a powerhouse six-piece blues band. All former members of EJBF’s Blues Academy, the group came together to share their collective passion for classic electric blues. Playing a set featuring music by Peter Green, Taj Mahal, B.B King, J.J Cale and other blues greats, it’s guaranteed to be a rocking evening. 

Dave Dixon Slide Guitar Workshop [St Bride's Centre]: If you want to add punch to your playing or if you’ve heard slide techniques on a classic blues songs like Howlin’ Wolf’s “The Red Rooster” or Duane Allmans haunting solo in Eric Clapton’s “Layla” then join slide expert Dave Dixon for this informal, friendly workshop where he will demonstrate slide technique and answer questions. 

Legends of the Blues [St Bride's Centre]: Join Toby Mottershead, Jawbone Walk and singer Nicole Smit on a blues journey - travelling from the early country blues and gospel styles of the pre-war era, right up to the electric Chicago blues of the 1940s and 50s. Audiences are joined by Guitar Slim, Ray Charles, Sonny Boy, Jimmy Reed, Otis Rush, Robert Johnson and Blind Willie Johnson’ “A scintillating display of lovingly crafted authentic songs from the genre’s golden era “ (American Blues Scene). 

The Scottish Blues Weekend is brought to you by the Edinburgh Jazz & BLues Festival and you can find out more about the festival HERE.