Aberdeen Jazz Festival back with Global Flair and Grassroots Heart
International talents and community-driven collaborations converge in a city-wide celebration of jazz.
For 11 days this March, Aberdeen’s music scene will pulse with the energy of its 22nd Jazz Festival, blending world-class talent with community spirit. Spanning nine venues—from the storied Blue Lamp to the Art Deco grandeur of Bon Accord Baths—the event offers over 30 performances, proving jazz isn’t just a genre but a bridge between traditions, generations, and rhythms.
Global Sounds, Local Roots
Headliners include Jazz FM’s “UK Jazz Act of the Year” Georgia Cécile, whose soulful vocals will debut tracks from her City Girl EP, and the long-awaited return of the Neil Cowley Trio after a seven-year hiatus. International acts like Portable Infinity, led by Magnus Östrom, kick off their European tour here. At the same time, Scottish folk-jazz innovator Matt Carmichael celebrates his new album Dancing With Embers with a genre-blurring set.
Yet the festival’s heartbeat lies in its local ties. The Aberdeen Jazz Festival Orchestra, led by Richard Michael, merges youth ensembles and traditional fiddle players in a one-off collaboration. “It’s about honouring jazz’s roots while letting it evolve,” says Coralie Usmani, Artistic Director of Jazz Scotland.
Community at the Core
Beyond the spotlight, the festival champions accessibility. Free lunchtime gigs at Cowdray Hall and Middlefield Community Centre bring live music to all, while a sheltered housing concert ensures even those who can’t travel aren’t left out. A groundbreaking partnership with City Moves integrates jazz into Dance for Parkinson’s classes, pairing live music with movement therapy.
Venues themselves become part of the storytelling. At Bon Accord Baths, Rachel Lightbody and David Bowden reimagine the drained swimming pool as a sonic playground for Soundbath. Meanwhile, The Rhyme Lounge sees rapper Tzusan freestyle over improvisations from the HOURS Live Quartet, proving jazz’s adaptability.
Innovation Meets Tradition
Highlights include Norman Willmore and Corrie Dick’s film-score collaboration, Rose Room’s Django Reinhardt-inspired Gypsy Jazz, and Dorian Ford’s tribute to Keith Jarrett’s iconic Köln Concert. The festival closes with a New Jazz Showcase spotlighting rising stars like Chun-Wei Kang and India Blue.
The festival’s ethos is perhaps best captured by Coralie Usmani, Artistic Director and CEO of Jazz Scotland: “We’re so excited to bring this year’s Aberdeen Jazz Festival to life. It’s a programme that celebrates the richness and diversity of jazz - where tradition meets innovation.” This balance of heritage and experimentation pulses through the lineup, from Keith Jarrett tributes to hip-hop collaborations.
By weaving international acts with hyper-local collaborations, the festival doesn’t just fill venues—it strengthens the city’s cultural fabric. Whether you’re soaking in a Soundbath or nodding your head at The Rhyme Lounge, the message is clear: jazz thrives here in Aberdeen.
