Kirkcudbright Prepares To Swing Into Its 24th Year Of The Popular Kirkcudbright Jazz Festival

Kirkcudbright will once again host a stellar line up of the finest Jazz musicians and bands as the Jazz Festival returns for its 24th year on 8th – 11th June

The organisers of the Kirkcudbright Jazz Festival are thrilled to welcome back a fantastic line up of bands and musicians for this popular four day event, which features some of the world’s finest Jazz musicians. The festival runs from the 8th to the 11th of June in the picturesque harbour town of Kirkcudbright in the South West of Scotland.

Visitors will be treated to a packed schedule of performances from a wide selection of bands in various venues throughout Kirkcudbright, including halls, restaurants with dining options and open air events.

There are various ticket options, including the single gig ticket which is ideal for those looking to dip their toe in the water and try out Jazz for the first time. In addition, the event’s popular weekend ticket covers any of the (non-dining) performances for the whole four days. There are also day tickets and afternoon/evening tickets available.

One of the unique highlights of the Kirkcudbright Jazz Festival is the Brolly Parade, held on the Saturday morning of the festival. The streets of Kirkcudbright come alive as Jazz performers march through the town, followed by many children and adults with decorated brollies – definitely a must see!

Leon McCaig, Convenor of the Festival is delighted with this year’s line up:

‘For the 24th Festival, arguably one of the best ever line-up of bands and individual musicians will be in Kirkcudbright for the event. Fifteen different groups featuring musicians from across the UK present a cornucopia of music – Classical New Orleans jazz, American “territorial” jazz, jump-jive, gypsy jazz, Rhythm & Blues and Western Swing.

After a successful and well-received mini-trial last year, we have this year a larger pool of top notch players which we have called the Jazz Jammers; musicians capable of playing solo, in a duo, trio or quartet all the way up to an octet. The composition of the groups they can form will be unique to this Festival and may never be repeated so expect some sterling and memorable performances of the best of tunes from the “Great American Song Book”.

Rose Room, twice winners of the Scottish Jazz Awards Best Band, return to Kirkcudbright to deliver their blistering display of virtuoso musicality in the Grapelli/Reinhardt gypsy jazz style. We welcome back the Chicago Teddybears Society Jazz Band which played the very first Festival in 1997 and which has two of the original musicians from that time. Making a first time appearance we have Sarah Spencer’s Transatlantic Jazz Band playing blistering hot New Orleans jazz with Sarah also agreeing to lead the music of the Brolly Parade’s Izzata Parade Band and Sunday’s Jazz Church Service’s Wholly Gathering Jazz Band.’

He summarises ‘Over the 30 ticketed gigs during the weekend, there is a broad spectrum of music to be enjoyed whether you are a jazz fan, just appreciate a good tune, want to display your dancing skills or just spend an entertaining and convivial hour in the company of friends, Kirkcudbright is the place to be during the Festival weekend. Do come and join in.’

The Jazz Festival encourages the involvement of local schools and youth groups and offers a free student ticket to those in education. The Festival also welcomes children of all ages to get involved with the brolly parade, decorating their own brolly and parading through the town. Children who take part in the Brolly Parade are given a goody bag, courtesy of The Cocoabean Company.

The Line Up – in order of first appearance is:-