The Spiegeltent

Trombonist and singer, Dave Batchelor, runs one of the most entertaining traditional jazz bands in Scotland. Classic dixieland jazz played with real verve and rhythmic punch by some of Scotland's finest jazz musicians: Colin Steele (trumpet), Hamish McGregor (saxes/clarinet). Fraser Spiers (harmonica), Alastair MacDonald…

Step back to the early 1920s, to the birth place of jazz: to the music of the bars and dance halls of New Orleans: Louis, Jelly Roll Morton, King Oliver. Swinging sounds delivered with real conviction, spirit and passion from this hugely popular Edinburgh group, led by banjoist, Bill Salmond, and tonight in an all star…

The top Scottish blues band are back in the Spiegel Tent for a hard driving, good time blues and boogie night. Over the years, they have played alongside Robert Cray, Pinetop Perkins, Charlie Musselwhite, Buddy Guy and Junior Wells, and famously with Maggie Bell last year, but its their own Chicago blues inspired sound…

Updating jazz of the 20s and 30s, this band of hip 20-somethings are devoted to reviving interest in classic New Orleans music with respect and impeccable musicianship and a devotion to the songs of Kid Ory, Sidney Bechet, Louis Armstrong and Jelly Roll Morton. Even New Orleans enthusiast Woody Allen is a fan of their…

Big band classics from Edinburgh’s own youth jazz band, packed with some exceptional talent in the current crop. Directed by Dan Hallam.

Probably the greatest of all the celebrated gypsy guitarists of today. Fapy is the nearest thing to Django you can hear. His dazzling and beautiful playing, draws equally on European folk, Spanish Flamenco and American jazz to create a distinctive, exciting sound. His band features the crème de la crème of gypsy swing…

Inspired by Parisian jazz of the 1930s and Django Reinhardt's Hot Club de Paris, Havana Swing are a very tight four piece band playing lightning solos, subtle harmonies, with energy, passion and charm: “happy, jaunty, feelgood jazz executed with great panache” (The Herald).

“New Orleans’ finest” (The Guardian). Hip hop, jazz and funk out of the classic marching band tradition with a totally contemporary vibe (they’re from the Tru Thoughts stable). This funky brass band made their name on the streets and in the clubs of New Orleans. Now they play Festivals from N’Orleans to Glastonbury, and…

Forde’s new band have been a breath of fresh air on the Edinburgh classic jazz scene – and now they have composed an original raggy suite - The New Century Jazz Rag, to be debuted at the Festival in a programme of iconic jazz from 1913 to 2013. There will be blues, spirituals, ballads, cakewalks, marches, waltzes, cool…

Scotland’s leading jazz repertory band are constantly winning plaudits for their inventive re-casting of classic jazz, really bringing the music of classic jazz and the swing era to life. Tonight they are joined by the maestro New Orleans clarinettist, Evan Christopher (“gorgeous and downright mesmerising clarinet…

One of the highest profile vocalists in Denmark since singing in the Eurovision Song Contest ten years ago. She came last. That might tell you something – she’s got great taste and musicality, terrific time and a voice that sounds like it’s inside the lyric all the time. She sings classic jazz standards and arrangements…

The Festival’s Founding Director puts together an all-star band to play classic hot jazz from the 20s and 30s. The music of Jelly Roll Morton, King Oliver, Louis Armstrong… played by a seven piece band featuring Hamish McGregor, Brian Robertson, and George Howden.

An opportunity to see and hear some jazz stars in the making, as the summer school students showcase their newly acquired skills. Led by Haftor Medboe.

Rocking and soulful rootsy sounds from the unforgettable voice of one of Britain's foremost blues divas, Connie Lush. Singer / harmonica player Dana Dixon delivers an intoxicating mix of authentic Texas, Chicago and west coast jump blues plus rockabilly and 50s R&B. Hailing from South Bend, Alabama blues singer/guitar…

Amazingly, Harlem stride, ragtime and boogie-woogie piano is back in fashion. Why? Because two thrilling young pianists, who make their Festival debuts this year, have arrived from St Louis and Milan, both playing as though James P Johnson, Fats Waller and Willie the Lion Smith were out there challenging them to cutting…

The band that sets the standard for modern, bluesy Cajun music. From the bayous of South Louisiana, Steve Riley and the Mamou Playboys, enjoy the revelry of a hot two-step, then turn on a dime and deliver an a cappella ballad, then play something that sounds like Howlin’ Wolf fell in lust with a Creole girl. This is the…

Terry Bean is the real Delta blues deal. From Mississippi, he picked cotton when he was young, and learned the blues from his father; he plays guitar and foreceful harmonica and sings with a powerful and plaintively soulful tone.  Leading Scottish blues guitarist, John Bruce rekindles his Allman Brothers set. Jo Harman is…

Inspirational gospel music, blended with R&B, blues, funk and soul from one of the hippest acts in Nashville. Ann, Deborah, Regina and Alfreda have been steeped in blues and gospel music their whole lives as daughters of the Rev. Sam McCrary, founding member of legendary gospel quartet The Fairfield Four. The sisters…

Right out of rural Indiana comes The Reverend Peyton's Big Damn Band. This fingerpickin', scrubboard scratchin', drum-bucket country blues trio conjure up such greats as Son House and Charley Patton. They apply great musicianship to direct and powerful blues with great songwriting, and a killer live show. They’ve had…

The Dutch violinist is one of Europe’s foremost gypsy swing jazz fiddlers, and here he is, with his classic Trio – Nigel Clark/guitar, Roy Percy/bass – turning the spotlight on the man who brought the charm and wizardry to the Parisian Hot Club jazz scene, and went on to delight audiences all over the world. Grappelli’s…