Pianist Launches Celebration of Brazilian Genius Egberto Gismonti’s Music

Pianist Paul Harrison launches Encontros, a personal celebration of the music of Brazilian composer Egberto Gismonti’s music, at the Traverse Theatre, Edinburgh on Friday 5th September.  One of the leading players on the currently vibrant Scottish jazz scene, Harrison was first attracted to Gismonti’s work after hearing Choro, Gismonti’s homage to the popular, intricate musicalContinue reading “Pianist Launches Celebration of Brazilian Genius Egberto Gismonti’s Music”

KAREN MARSHALSAY: Eadarainn a’ Chruit  (Between Us the Harp)

Cramasie Records CRCD 002 / Out 5th September 2025 Second album makes connections between people and traditions with guest appearances from Irish music legend Cathal McConnell, Scottish harp doyenne Alison Kinnaird and Gaelic music master Allan MacDonald Leading Scottish harper Karen Marshalsay celebrates connections between the Scots, Scottish Gaelic and Irish musical traditions in solo, duoContinue reading “KAREN MARSHALSAY: Eadarainn a’ Chruit  (Between Us the Harp)”

Edinburgh Fringe 2025 The Famous Spiegeltent presents: Sounds of Scotland (28 Jul – 27 Aug)

(in association with Scary Biscuits Promotions) Showcase season of some of the very best music talent in Scotland The Famous Spiegeltent and Scary Biscuits Promotions are delighted to announce some wonderful new additions to its music programme for its beautiful St Andrew Square Gardens hub for the Edinburgh Fringe Festival. Sounds Of Scotland is aContinue reading “Edinburgh Fringe 2025 The Famous Spiegeltent presents: Sounds of Scotland (28 Jul – 27 Aug)”

Scottish Opera’s Breath Cycle Wins Classical:NEXT International Award

Scottish Opera’s (SO) ground-breaking project Breath Cycle was started in 2012 to helps those with lung conditions, such as Long Covid, using breathing techniques in singing and songwriting workshops. Classical:NEXT  is the world’s largest networking event for classical music professionals, featuring over 220 contributors and delegates from 54 countries and  at a ceremony in BerlinContinue reading “Scottish Opera’s Breath Cycle Wins Classical:NEXT International Award”

Louis Stewart’s I Thought About You Reissued at Last

Dublin-based Livia Records reissues Irish guitar master Louis Stewart’s all-star 1977 recording, I Thought About You on 29th May. Long deleted and much sought after in its original vinyl form, I Thought About You features Stewart with the American rhythm section of bassist Sam Jones and drummer Billy Higgins and leading European pianist John Taylor. ItContinue reading “Louis Stewart’s I Thought About You Reissued at Last”

Edinburgh Tradfest Kicks Off Next Week

Friday 2 May – Monday 12 May 2025 A packed programme of music, film and storytelling kicks off Edinburgh Tradfest next weekend (2 May to 12 May) thanks to continued support from The National Lottery through Creative Scotland and the William Grant Foundation. The Festival opens with Terra Kin supporting celebrated piper Ross Ainslie and the Sanctuary Band (Greg Lawson, PaulContinue reading “Edinburgh Tradfest Kicks Off Next Week”

Edinburgh to Host European Arts Festivals Summit 2025 

From 27th-30th April 2025, more than 200 festival directors, pioneering artists and cultural leaders will assemble at The Hub, the iconic home of the Edinburgh International Festival, the original festival that sparked Edinburgh’s legacy as the festival city 78 years ago. Over four days the premier annual gathering of Europe’s most visionary festival makers, the Arts Festivals SummitContinue reading “Edinburgh to Host European Arts Festivals Summit 2025 “

Testimony Bears Witness to Solo Saxophone Mastery

Saxophonist Phil Bancroft releases Testimony, an improvised suite forsolo saxophone, as the 6th release on his Myriad Streams platform onFriday 25th April. Recorded during lockdown in 2021 in a barn on the smallholding he andhis wife, Jude, had recently moved into, Testimony was musicallycompletely unplanned and spontaneous. “I was exploring the amazing acoustics of theContinue reading “Testimony Bears Witness to Solo Saxophone Mastery”

Violinist Brings Saxophone and Strings to the Queen’s Hall

Violinist Seonaid Aitken returns to the Queen’s Hall on Thursday 10th April to perform her widely admired Chasing Sakura suite. Written for a string ensemble – two violins, viola, cello, and double bass – with saxophonist Harben Kay as featured soloist, Chasing Sakura was composed while Seonaid was recovering from a serious horse-riding accident andContinue reading “Violinist Brings Saxophone and Strings to the Queen’s Hall”

SNJO Looks East for Spicy Queen’s Hall Adventure

The Scottish National Jazz Orchestra expands its horizons with a concert entitled 21 Spices and featuring the sensational Indian percussionist Trilok Gurtu at the Queen’s Hall, Edinburgh on Sunday 30th March. The son of vocalist Shobha Gurtu, a legendary figure in Indian classical music known as the Thumri Queen, Trilok Gurtu has won an international reputationContinue reading “SNJO Looks East for Spicy Queen’s Hall Adventure”