Jazz Festival reveals 40 more acts for summer

Edinburgh Jazz and Blues Festival has announced more details of their bumper 2015 programme.

Having already revealed that Jools Holland and George Benson would be on the bill, the Festival (17-26 July) added a further 40 names for jazz and blues fans to look forward to. Audiences will be treated to a vintage jazz party with Bratislava Hot Serenaders, Italian super-charged brass from Bandakadabra and classic Dixieland with Batchelors of Jazz.

Brian Fallon, Chair of the Edinburgh Jazz and Blues Festival, said:

The Edinburgh Jazz and Blues Festival has never been stronger. Last year we had record attendances, record sales, and a feast of high quality music. 2015 looks set to be another record-breaker, and we look forward to welcoming old and new friends. We have a great line-up with something for everyone and we are looking forward to seeing you over the ten days of the Festival

Launching the programme with a live performance in Edinburgh's St Andrew Square were festival favourites Davina and the Vagabonds, who made the most of the morning's pleasant weather as they entertained passers-by attracted by their irresistible toe-tapping New Orleans-style rhythms.

St Andrew Square will host the Jazz Festival's first full foray into Edinburgh's New Town, with some brilliant gigs set for the square's popular Spiegeltent, including gospel magic from Naomi Shelton, the smooth voice of AJ Brown, electric Mississippi blues from Cedric Burnside, award-winning vocal blues from Janiva Magness, and Mexican jazz-rockers, Troker.

Across the city, arts venue Summerhall will welcome the Jazz Festivals' Cross the Tracks programme showcasing musical genres both influenced by jazz and vice versa - hip hop, electronica, soul and funk will all feature.

The Festival will reach out across Edinburgh, with venues as diverse as the Festival Theatre, the George Square Spiegeltent, the Queen's Hall, and of course the Tron Kirk on the Royal Mile.

The Jazz Festival's hugely popular free events return, with the Mardi Gras on Saturday 18 July and the Edinburgh Festival Carnival the following afternoon, with large crowds expected to line the streets once again to enjoy the open air musical feats on show.

Details of all 40 acts announced today can be found on the Jazz Festival's website, and the full programme for 2015, including over 150 concerts, will be announced on Thursday 30 April, with tickets on sale from midday on Wednesday 6 May.

To find out more about the Edinburgh Jazz and Blues Festival, please visit www.edinburghjazzfestival.com.

Images: Edinburgh Jazz and Blues Festival