Top five things to see at Glasgow Jazz Festival

Glasgow Jazz Festival returns later this month between 14– 18 June with performances from some of the biggest names in jazz, blues, soul, funk, and R&B.

Here are some top picks of what to check out:

1.Marco Mezquida Trio

The Marco Mezquida Trio, fronted by award-winning Spanish pianist and composer Marco Mezquida, alongside Martín Meléndez and Aleix Tobias, will perform at St Luke’s on Thursday 15th June. Marco has toured the world extensively and has recorded more than 50 albums during his illustrious career, but this year marks his Glasgow Jazz Festival debut, giving Scottish fans a rare chance to catch him live.

2. Xhosa Cole

XhosaCole

Winner of the 2018 BBC Young Jazz Musician of the Year Award Xhosa Cole will bring his unique sound to Drygate on Thursday 15th June. The Birmingham-based saxophonist released his much-anticipated debut album last summer, celebrating the works of great African-American composers and improvisers. Xhosa’s deep and authentic connection to the lineage of Jazz music has helped to establish him as one of the most exciting young talents in the country, continually learning, developing and growing – in-keeping with jazz tradition.

3.Brian Kellock’s Marty Party

Brian Kellock

This year’s festival will see influential artists from the jazz scene and beyond celebrated and this show will be no different. On the afternoon of Saturday 17th June, St Luke’s will host Brian Kellock’s Marty Party – a celebration of the music and spirit of one of the living legends of the jazz scene, the American rhythm guitarist, vocalist and raconteur Marty Grosz. Brian Kellock (piano), Ross Milligan (guitar), and Roy Percy (bass) are all long-time fans who channel Marty’s fun and exciting performance style in this engaging celebration.

4.Grappelli Night with the Seonaid Aitken Quintet

The tributes continue later that evening when Mackintosh Church will host the Grappelli Night, where award-winning violinist Seonaid Aitken and her band will pay tribute to her French jazz violin hero Stéphane Grappelli to mark 25 years since his passing, and 30 years since his last performance at Glasgow Jazz Festival. Seonaid and her piano quintet will celebrate Grappelli’s 60+ year career with a selection of tunes from his solo repertoire as well as a few numbers from his Quintette du Hot Club de France days, and legendary duets with classical violin virtuoso Yehudi Menuhin.

5.Steve Turre

Audiences can expect an unforgettable finish to the festival with a performance from Steve Turre and his band. American master trombonist and seashellist Steve has worked with a diverse list of musicians including Dizzy Gillespie – who he performed with at the 1990 Glasgow Jazz Festival as part of his United Nations Orchestra. Steve is also a longstanding member of the Saturday Night Live house band. He will perform tracks from the 2022 album Generations to fans at St. Luke’s on Sunday 18th June, celebrating jazz geniuses and influential elders in the scene, whilst bringing the eras together.

For more information and to buy tickets for Glasgow Jazz Festival 2023 please visit www.jazzfest.co.uk.

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