Aberdeen Jazz Festival

1 - 6 March 2005

Aberdeen is rapidly growing a fantastic reputation for jazz hits as the second annual Jazz Festival kicks off with a line up of international, national and local performers. Leading American tenor saxophonist, Chris Potter, has chosen the Festival for his new Quartet’s only UK date at the start of a European tour and its first visit to the city.

Among those appearing are:

• Jacqui Dankworth, a major new singing talent
• London-based Polar Bear, featuring Sebastian Rochford, the outstanding Aberdeen-born drummer who won the Rising Star category in the 2004 BBC Jazz Awards
• the Scottish National Jazz Orchestra
• the internationally acclaimed Scottish piano player Brian Kellock and his Trio
• and the Gilbert Paeffgen Trio from Switzerland, on their UK debut

With 26 performances at the Arts Centre, Blue Lamp, Rusty Nail and Lemon Tree, Neil Gibbons, of Jazz Aberdeen, said: 'We’ve added another location this year and increased the number and quality of performances to ensure there is something for all the fans, whatever their taste in jazz.'

As well as providing entertainment, Jazz Aberdeen is contributing to the city’s culture and international relations. The opening night includes the big band sound of the Aberdeen Jazz Orchestra – its recent formation inspired by the 2004 Festival. Local musicians are appearing throughout the six days, on occasions with the big names in jazz.

Schools are giving lunchtime concerts, and around 100 youngsters will fine-tune their skills at a masterclass by Scotland’s foremost jazz musician and composer, Tommy Smith, and a workshop with eminent jazz educator, Richard Michael.

Two of Aberdeen’s Twin Cities, Stavanger in Norway and Clermont-Ferrand in France, are represented by bands, and it is hoped there will be return visits by jazz musicians from North-east Scotland. The Scottish Arts Council is a sponsor of the Festival, with Aberdeen City Council, EventScotland, and Aberdeen City Centre Partnership.

For more information on the festival visit the Jazz Aberdeen website, or call 01224 619770 for a brochure.

Supported by the National Lottery through the Scottish Arts Council.