Leith Jazz Festival has, like so many other events, had the misfortune to suffer cancellation during the time of the Covid pandemic. An annual weekend of free music in the pubs of Leith, it was one of the highlights of the local calendar.
While we might not be seeing the return of the festival just yet, those behind the event are gearing up to present live jazz in a couple of the pubs in the Shore area. From Sunday 3rd October, the Malt & Hops will host jazz trios on Sundays and Thursdays from 7pm, while the Three Marys will do likewise on Saturdays from 5pm and Wednesdays from 7pm. All these events will be free.
Spearheading the venture will be The John Burgess Trio at the Malt & Hops on Sunday 3rd. One of the leading pre-war style reeds players around, on tenor sax Burgess channels the big toned tenor legends of yesteryear, Ben Webster, Coleman Hawkins and Lester Young and on clarinet he follows the throaty, hard hitting players like Edmond Hall, Omer Simeon and Jimmy Noone. Joined here by the superb guitar player Ross Baird and his old partner in crime, the slap happy Roy Percy on bass this will be a session for lovers of great old timey swinging jazz.
Jim Welsh
Radio Summerhall Arts 