May 2022

Please note, there are no advance tickets or seat reservations available unless clearly stated in the event listing.

LIVE MUSIC EVERY DAY!

Open:
Monday   7pm – 12am
Tuesday   7pm – 12am
Thursday   5pm – 3am
Friday   5pm – 3am
Saturday   2pm – 3am
Sunday   5pm – 3am


May 2022

Sun 1

6pm-8.30pm Free until 7.30pm   HOT TIN ROOF

Stripped-back atmospheric Blues/Soul from Andy Challen (guitar/voc) and Gavin Jack (slide guitar), AND loads of Swing/Blues Dancers on the dancefloor!

9.15pm-11.30pm £10/£8   JAZZ BAR QUINTET

We bring together some of our finest local musicians for one special night.

12.15am-2.30am £5/£3   THE SUNDAY SINNERS

Neo-soul, trip-hop grooves and re-edited classics are delivered to your ears, feet and hips by this vocals-fronted band with a rhythm section to die for. Guaranteed to keep your feet moving and your jaw dropped. Featuring hot vocals from Fiona Lynch, funky guitar from Aki Remally, and dope grooves from Jim Drummond (drums) and Dougie Coulter (bass).

Mon 2

Open 7pm – Midnight

8pm-10.45pm £12/£8   THE JAZZ BAR’s 17-Piece BIG BAND

Open Rehearsal 8-9pm, full gig from 9.15-10.45pm
FOUR trumpets, FOUR trombones, FIVE saxes and FOUR rhythm! It’s a variable line-up of top-class pro players, who travel in from around Scotland to participate in this outstanding gig. Nowhere else can you hear this standard of regular Big Band playing. Led by saxophonist Keith Edwards, the personnel changes weekly, as does their selection of fantastic arrangements.

Tue 3

Open 7pm – Midnight

8.30pm-11pm £8/Free to play   THE GREAT JAZZ JAM SESSION

Open Stage ‘Jazz Jam’ where our excellent House Trio backs all kinds of surprise jazzy guests dropping in to play – and we’ve no idea who’s coming in until tonight! If you want to play, turn up with your instrument and ask for a place on the evening’s list of guest players.

Wed 4

6.15pm-8.30pm Free until 7.30pm   JOHN HUNT’S AFTER WORK BLUES

Acoustic/Electric Blues by singer/guitarist John Hunt – and check out his amazing hand-built guitars! ‘Gritty, Funky Boogie-Woogie from a master of blues slide-guitar’ – Evening News

9.15pm-11.30pm £10/£8   TRIBUTES: COLE PORTER

Acclaimed saxophonist Martin Kershaw presents a series of tributes to the legends of jazz. Tonight, he celebrates the music of Cole Porter with a hand-picked collection of classic compositions. Featuring Martin Kershaw (saxophone), Alan Benzie (piano), Ed Kelly (bass), and Max Popp (drums).

12.15am-2.30am £5/£3   GLAMOUR & THE BAYBES

6-Piece funk with ripping horns and massive vocals that grab you by the soul and drop you on the dance floor! Featuring the spectacular voice and eclectic madness of Angus Munro. ‘Soulful and outrageous… the largest vocal range I’ve ever heard!’ (Scotsman)

Thu 5

6.15pm-8.30pm Free until 7.30pm   GRAEME MEARNS – Acoustic Swing

A Hat, a Suit, and a Guitar. With a swing/jazz/acoustic style somewhere between Django Reinhardt and Richard Thompson, you’ll hear familiar songs in a way you’ve never imagined

9.15pm-11.30pm £5/Free to play   GROOVE THURSDAYS

The Jazz Bar’s all-inclusive jam session is back! On the first Thursday of every month, Jazz Bar locals Toni McVey (drums), Luke Cunningham (keys), Amy Reader (voc), Stephen Jack (bass), and Harry Higgs (guitar), are here to welcome and guide any and all musicians, genres and abilities into the Edinburgh music scene for an evening of funky tunes and the opportunity to meet artists of all shapes and sizes!

12.15am-2.30am £5/£3   THURSDAY FUNK: 101ST AIRBORNE

Come and get your fortnightly serving of fat grooves, jazzy excursions, soulful vocals and bags of pocket from guitarist Aki Remally’s soul-funk four-piece band… with the baaaadest rhythm section in town supplying ALL of your Thursday funk with a set covering everything from Funkadelic to Vulfpeck. midnight until late…

Fri 6

6.15pm-8.30pm £6/£5   HALF MOON MEDICINE SHOWCASE

Cera Impala, Edinburgh’s esteemed banjo babe, brings roots, folk, old-time jazz, gospel, rag, and original indie-love to The Jazz Bar as she hosts a one-of-a-kind showcase featuring talent from her eclectic community of artists. The Half Moon Medicine show(case) – the cure for what ails you!

9.15pm-11.30pm £10/£8   FINE MEN WITH FOUL TONGUES

Fine Men With Foul Tongues is a project from Scottish bass player, Brodie Jarvie. Its aim is simple, to play music that has no-bullshit, hits the ground running and will take the listener on a journey through melodic and harmonic landscapes. Featuring Brodie Jarvie (Upright Bass), Guy Salamon (Drums), Ben MacDonald (Guitar), Paul Harrison (Piano), Norman Willmore (Alto Sax), Jonathan Chung (Tenor Sax), Michael Butcher (Tenor Sax).

12.15am-2.30am £8/£5   MIDNIGHT TRAIN

The ultimate bluegrass party band… Keeping things LOUD and FAST! Midnight Train are a 6 piece band that feature Chris Lyons (banjo) and Theo Barnard (guitar). Expect to hear some stellar grooves and arrangements with guitars, fiddles, banjos and goodness only knows what else… Be prepared to stay moving on your feet!

Sat 7

2.30pm-5.30pm Free   AFTERNOON JAZZ with THE MELLOTONES TRIO

Hot swinging jazz from Alan Anderson (piano), Jimmy Taylor (bass/vocals) and Dave Swanson (drums).

6.15pm-8.30pm £7/£5   THE ‘BIG EASY’ SESSIONS

Celebrate a relaxed evening in the classic ‘Speakeasy’ style. From Authentic hot-roots Americana, spicy New Orleans trad jazz and gypsy swing to prohibition-era blues… award-winning vocalist Ali Affleck selects both local-legends and out of town guest musicians for highly danceable and fun Saturday sessions.

9.15pm-11.30pm £10/£8   ‘WORLD PREMIERE’ QUINTET

Every Saturday, a different hand-picked selection of five excellent jazz players meets on stage for the first time (hence the name) – to play with no rehearsal, and no set list! Always a fresh line-up. This week: Stewart Forbes (sax), Colin Steele (trumpet), Andrew Robb (bass), Jim Drummond (drums).

12.15am-2.30am £8/£5   AKI AND THE LIONS

Check out this four-piece funk monster! Led by Aki Remally with the deep-funk rhythms of Scott Jamieson (OG Hero, drums), Cameron Bradley (bass), and the one and only Jonny White (sax), guarantee a night of heavy funking for all… 2 wholesome sets of downhome goodness

Sun 8

6pm-8.30pm Free until 7.30pm   HOT TIN ROOF

Stripped-back atmospheric Blues/Soul from Andy Challen (guitar/voc) and Gavin Jack (slide guitar), AND loads of Swing/Blues Dancers on the dancefloor!

9.20pm-11.30pm £10/£8   GEORGIA CECILE’S SUNDAY SERENADE

The first Sunday of the month celebrates the very best in vocals! Hosted by the “sweetheart of the Scottish jazz scene”, Georgia Cécile, and her stellar quartet. The evening pays homage to her greatest influences: Nancy Wilson, Abbey Lincoln, Sarah Vaughan and more. Voted ‘Best Vocalist’ at the 2019 Scottish Jazz Awards and tipped as ‘One to Watch’ by Jamie Cullum (Jazzwise), Cécile is fast becoming one of the UK’s most exciting young vocalists and songwriters.

12.15am-2.30am £5/£3   THE SUNDAY SINNERS

Neo-soul, trip-hop grooves and re-edited classics are delivered to your ears, feet and hips by this vocals-fronted band with a rhythm section to die for. Guaranteed to keep your feet moving and your jaw dropped. Featuring hot vocals from Fiona Lynch, funky guitar from Aki Remally, and dope grooves from Jim Drummond (drums) and Dougie Coulter (bass).

Mon 9

Open 7pm – Midnight

8pm-10.45pm £12/£8   THE JAZZ BAR’s 17-Piece BIG BAND

Open Rehearsal 8-9pm, full gig from 9.15-10.45pm
FOUR trumpets, FOUR trombones, FIVE saxes and FOUR rhythm! It’s a variable line-up of top-class pro players, who travel in from around Scotland to participate in this outstanding gig. Nowhere else can you hear this standard of regular Big Band playing. Led by saxophonist Keith Edwards, the personnel changes weekly, as does their selection of fantastic arrangements.

Tue 10

Open 7pm – Midnight

8.30pm-11pm £8/Free to play   THE GREAT JAZZ JAM SESSION

Open Stage ‘Jazz Jam’ where our excellent House Trio backs all kinds of surprise jazzy guests dropping in to play – and we’ve no idea who’s coming in until tonight! If you want to play, turn up with your instrument and ask for a place on the evening’s list of guest players.

Wed 11

6.15pm-8.30pm Free until 7.30pm   JOHN HUNT’S AFTER WORK BLUES

Acoustic/Electric Blues by singer/guitarist John Hunt – and check out his amazing hand-built guitars! ‘Gritty, Funky Boogie-Woogie from a master of blues slide-guitar’ – Evening News

9.15pm-11.30pm £10/£8   FRET

Fret is bassist Mario Caribé’s quartet featuring two of the most exciting guitarists in Scotland: Malcolm MacFarlane and Kevin MacKenzie, with Alyn Cosker on the drum kit. Atmospheric sounds and rocking solos along with surprising arrangements of well-known standards is what these guys are all about.

12.15am-2.30am £5/£3   GLAMOUR & THE BAYBES

6-Piece funk with ripping horns and massive vocals that grab you by the soul and drop you on the dance floor! Featuring the spectacular voice and eclectic madness of Angus Munro. ‘Soulful and outrageous… the largest vocal range I’ve ever heard!’ (Scotsman)

Thu 12

6.15pm-8.30pm Free until 7.30pm   GRAEME MEARNS – Acoustic Swing

A Hat, a Suit, and a Guitar. With a swing/jazz/acoustic style somewhere between Django Reinhardt and Richard Thompson, you’ll hear familiar songs in a way you’ve never imagined

9.15pm-11.30pm £10/£8   MACDONALD QUINTET

For close to three decades, saxophonist Kirk MacDonald has been a leader in his field of performance, composition and education. Throughout his career, he has received numerous awards, and has worked with many leading musicians in a variety of musical genres. Fresh from international touring with the Canadian Jazz Collective, he and his daughter Virginia, an exciting new talent and sought-after award-winning clarinetist, are joined by local legends. Featuring Kirk MacDonald (sax), Virginia MacDonald (clarinet), Chris Lyons (piano), Elite Afif (bass), Max Popp (drums).

12.15am-2.30am £5/£3   THURSDAY FUNK: FUTURE HEROES

Superbly creative guitarist Aki Remally (guitar/vocals) fronts this five-piece funk monster, playing tasty covers and heavy jams. Featuring Jonny White on saxophone, these guys will keep your feet moving all night long with the deep-funk rhythms of Toni McVey (drums), Tom Wilkinson (bass) and Luke Cunningham (keys) Occasional guests ensure a night of heavy funking for all. Get involved.

Fri 13

6.15pm-8.30pm £6/£5   HALF MOON MEDICINE SHOWCASE

Cera Impala, Edinburgh’s esteemed banjo babe, brings roots, folk, old-time jazz, gospel, rag, and original indie-love to The Jazz Bar as she hosts a one-of-a-kind showcase featuring talent from her eclectic community of artists. The Half Moon Medicine show(case) – the cure for what ails you!

9.15pm-11.30pm £10/£8   BOPTIMISM

Classic ‘Hard Bop’ quintet featuring charts by Keith Edwards (sax) and Donald Corbett (trumpet/flugelhorn) with stellar rhythm section of Campbell Normand (piano), Ed Kelly (bass) and Keith Haldane (drums). Their sets include original compositions, gems from British Jazz legends Tubby Hayes and Dundee’s own Jimmy Deuchar, as well as hip US jazzers such as Duke Pearson, Harold Mabern and Cedar Walton.

12.15am-2.30am £8/£5   THE SMOKING POCKETS

Old school funk for your soul. Old school soul for your funk. A smoking hot 8-piece band with top shelf vocals and heavy horns.

Sat 14

2.30pm-5.30pm Free   AFTERNOON JAZZ with THE MELLOTONES TRIO

Hot swinging jazz from Alan Anderson (piano), Jimmy Taylor (bass/vocals) and Dave Swanson (drums).

6.15pm-8.30pm £7/£5   THE SPOTLIGHT SESSIONS

Each week a top-drawer piano trio, led by bassist Ed Kelly, is joined by a special guest spot. Saxophonists, guitarists, trumpeters and singers showcase their talents in a broad range of jazz styles. From swing, blues, bossa, trad and modern, this is a variable early-evening session of intimate and enjoyable jazz.

9.15pm-11.30pm £10/£8   MACDONALD SEXTET

For close to three decades, saxophonist Kirk MacDonald has been a leader in his field of performance, composition and education. Throughout his career, he has received numerous awards, and has worked with many leading musicians in a variety of musical genres. Fresh from international touring with the Canadian Jazz Collective, he and his daughter Virginia, an exciting new talent and sought-after award-winning clarinetist, are joined by local legends. Featuring Kirk MacDonald (sax), Virginia MacDonald (clarinet), Chris Greive (trombone), Chris Lyons (piano), Elite Afif (bass), Max Popp (drums).

12.15am-2.30am £8/£5   DUKE DUNCAN & THE HURRICANES

Blending swamp blues, funk and indie dance grooves DD&TH have been drawing comparisons with The Doors. Come and see what all the fuss is about. ‘A hedonistic psychedelic melange, like Alice out-hatting the Mad Hatter with Kerouac at The Hacienda.’

Sun 15

6pm-8.30pm Free until 7.30pm   HOT TIN ROOF

Stripped-back atmospheric Blues/Soul from Andy Challen (guitar/voc) and Gavin Jack (slide guitar), AND loads of Swing/Blues Dancers on the dancefloor!

9.15pm-11.30pm £10/£8   JO HARROP – THE HEART WANTS TOUR

Born in Durham and raised on a heady musical diet of Nina Simone, Billie Holiday and Aretha Franklin, Jo Harrop cut her teeth as a session singer, working with a host of iconic artists including Neil Diamond, Rod Stewart and Gloria Gaynor. After moving to London, she quickly established herself as one of the most unmistakable voices in British jazz.
Written and recorded over the last year when the world came to a sudden standstill in the wake of the pandemic, The Heart Wants is an album about love and life, about losing and then finding oneself in the silence after the applause has faded away.

The Heart Wants has won a raft of rapturous critical acclaim everywhere from Jazzwise Magazine (who gave it a coveted four-star review) through to The Times and The Guardian, who made it one of their Albums Of The Year, describing it as ‘sheer perfection.’ From the sublime pop of BBC Radio 2 favourite, Everything’s Changing, to the Muscle Shoals soul of Hold On, The Heart Wants will no doubt come as quite a surprise to anyone who thought Jo Harrop was only capable of singing jazz ballads.

“A rare mix of delicacy and boldness” – 4 Stars, The Guardian
“Remarkable…” – 4 Stars, Jazzwise

12.15am-2.30am £5/£3   THE SUNDAY SINNERS

Neo-soul, trip-hop grooves and re-edited classics are delivered to your ears, feet and hips by this vocals-fronted band with a rhythm section to die for. Guaranteed to keep your feet moving and your jaw dropped. Featuring hot vocals from Fiona Lynch, funky guitar from Aki Remally, and dope grooves from Jim Drummond (drums) and Dougie Coulter (bass).

Mon 16

Open 7pm – Midnight

8pm-10.45pm £12/£8   THE JAZZ BAR’s 17-Piece BIG BAND

Open Rehearsal 8-9pm, full gig from 9.15-10.45pm
FOUR trumpets, FOUR trombones, FIVE saxes and FOUR rhythm! It’s a variable line-up of top-class pro players, who travel in from around Scotland to participate in this outstanding gig. Nowhere else can you hear this standard of regular Big Band playing. Led by saxophonist Keith Edwards, the personnel changes weekly, as does their selection of fantastic arrangements.

Tue 17

Open 7pm – Midnight

8.30pm-11pm £8/Free to play   THE GREAT JAZZ JAM SESSION

Open Stage ‘Jazz Jam’ where our excellent House Trio backs all kinds of surprise jazzy guests dropping in to play – and we’ve no idea who’s coming in until tonight! If you want to play, turn up with your instrument and ask for a place on the evening’s list of guest players.

Wed 18

6.15pm-8.30pm Free until 7.30pm   JOHN HUNT’S AFTER WORK BLUES

Acoustic/Electric Blues by singer/guitarist John Hunt – and check out his amazing hand-built guitars! ‘Gritty, Funky Boogie-Woogie from a master of blues slide-guitar’ – Evening News

9.15pm-11.30pm £10/£8   DAVID LYTTLE

Drummer David Lyttle is one of Ireland’s most forward-thinking and celebrated instrumentalists. With nominations in the MOBO Awards and Urban Music Awards, he has performed in twenty-five countries and collaborated with jazz icons Joe Lovano and Kurt Rosenwinkel. Recently he brought his unique performance concepts to China, making three trips with his solo drums show, and last year he travelled from L.A. To New York in a Cadillac DeVille, performing for unusual audiences from cowboys to UFO tourists.

12.15am-2.30am £5/£3   GLAMOUR & THE BAYBES

6-Piece funk with ripping horns and massive vocals that grab you by the soul and drop you on the dance floor! Featuring the spectacular voice and eclectic madness of Angus Munro. ‘Soulful and outrageous… the largest vocal range I’ve ever heard!’ (Scotsman)

Thu 19

6.15pm-8.30pm Free until 7.30pm   GRAEME MEARNS – Acoustic Swing

A Hat, a Suit, and a Guitar. With a swing/jazz/acoustic style somewhere between Django Reinhardt and Richard Thompson, you’ll hear familiar songs in a way you’ve never imagined

9.15pm-11.30pm £10/£8   DAVID PATRICK QUARTET – MILES! MILES! MILES!

The Sorcerer, the Prince of Darkness, the Man who fell in love too easily… Miles Davis’ 1960s band set the standard for interaction between soloist and band for a generation. In that spirit, Yati Durant (trumpet), David Patrick (piano), Ed Kelly (bass) and the mercurial Dan Shearer (drums) perform some of the band’s material, putting communication, improvisation and creativity at the heart of the music.

12.15am-2.30am £5/£3   THURSDAY FUNK: 101ST AIRBORNE

Come and get your fortnightly serving of fat grooves, jazzy excursions, soulful vocals and bags of pocket from guitarist Aki Remally’s soul-funk four-piece band… with the baaaadest rhythm section in town supplying ALL of your Thursday funk with a set covering everything from Funkadelic to Vulfpeck. midnight until late…

Fri 20

6.15pm-8.30pm £6/£5   HALF MOON MEDICINE SHOWCASE

Cera Impala, Edinburgh’s esteemed banjo babe, brings roots, folk, old-time jazz, gospel, rag, and original indie-love to The Jazz Bar as she hosts a one-of-a-kind showcase featuring talent from her eclectic community of artists. The Half Moon Medicine show(case) – the cure for what ails you!

9.15pm-11.30pm £10/£8   LORNA REID SEXTET

One of Scotland’s most acclaimed singers and songwriters, Lorna Reid and her band of virtuoso Scottish musicians perform a programme of elegant jazz standards and self-penned originals crossing jazz, blues, soul and Americana. Campbell Normand (piano) Andy Mitchell (bass) Konrad Wisniewki (sax), Tom Gordon (drums) Neil Warden (guitar and Weissenborn). “Fabulous repertoire from easy listening to hot vintage swing. Lorna Reid also pens a knowing lyric” (The Jazz House, BBC Scotland). “She manages to bridge the gulf between jazz and country with some panache” (The Scotsman)

12.15am-2.30am £8/£5   JED POTTS & THE HILLMAN HUNTERS

Supplying the deepest of grooves and the rudest of shuffles. With influences from Freddie King, Muddy Waters, BB Kings and T-Bone Walker, the unlimited dynamic possibilities of a simple trio format make for a charismatic performance which is different every single night.

Sat 21

2.30pm-5.30pm Free   AFTERNOON JAZZ with THE MELLOTONES TRIO

Hot swinging jazz from Alan Anderson (piano), Jimmy Taylor (bass/vocals) and Dave Swanson (drums).

6.15pm-8.30pm £7/£5   THE SPOTLIGHT SESSIONS

Each week a top-drawer piano trio, led by bassist Ed Kelly, is joined by a special guest spot. Saxophonists, guitarists, trumpeters and singers showcase their talents in a broad range of jazz styles. From swing, blues, bossa, trad and modern, this is a variable early-evening session of intimate and enjoyable jazz.

9.15pm-11.30pm £10/£8   ‘WORLD PREMIERE’ QUINTET

Every Saturday, a different hand-picked selection of five excellent jazz players meets on stage for the first time (hence the name) – to play with no rehearsal, and no set list! Always a fresh line-up. This week: Fraser Smith (sax), Jamie Brownfield (trumpet), Fraser Urquhart (piano), Darren McCarthy (bass), Jack Cotterell (drums).

12.15am-2.30am £8/£5   101ST AIRBORNE SATURDAY REVUE

Fat grooves, jazzy excursions, soulful vocals and bags of pocket from guitarist Aki Remally’s soul-funk four-piece band… with the baaaadest rhythm section in town supplying ALL of your Tuesday funk with a set covering everything from Funkadelic to Vulfpeck.

Sun 22

6pm-8.30pm Free until 7.30pm   HOT TIN ROOF

Stripped-back atmospheric Blues/Soul from Andy Challen (guitar/voc) and Gavin Jack (slide guitar), AND loads of Swing/Blues Dancers on the dancefloor!

9.15pm-11.30pm £10/£8   FRASER & FRASER’S UNITED SWINGDOM

Fraser & Fraser’s United Swingdom is a celebration of the rich history of British jazz and swing, from the dance halls to the basement bars of Soho. This cross-UK group featuring musicians from the four corners of the British Isles, explore the best jazz and swing repertoire from the UK throughout the early to mid-20th century, all infused with the beat and vitality of America. The band features Fraser Smith (sax), Fraser Urquhart (piano), Jamie Brownfield (trumpet), Jack Cotterell (drums), Darren McCarthy (bass).

12.15am-2.30am £5/£3   THE SUNDAY SINNERS

Neo-soul, trip-hop grooves and re-edited classics are delivered to your ears, feet and hips by this vocals-fronted band with a rhythm section to die for. Guaranteed to keep your feet moving and your jaw dropped. Featuring hot vocals from Fiona Lynch, funky guitar from Aki Remally, and dope grooves from Jim Drummond (drums) and Dougie Coulter (bass).

Mon 23

Open 7pm – Midnight

8pm-10.45pm £12/£8   THE JAZZ BAR’s 17-Piece BIG BAND

Open Rehearsal 8-9pm, full gig from 9.15-10.45pm
FOUR trumpets, FOUR trombones, FIVE saxes and FOUR rhythm! It’s a variable line-up of top-class pro players, who travel in from around Scotland to participate in this outstanding gig. Nowhere else can you hear this standard of regular Big Band playing. Led by saxophonist Keith Edwards, the personnel changes weekly, as does their selection of fantastic arrangements.

Tue 24

Open 7pm – Midnight

8.30pm-11pm £8/Free to play   THE GREAT JAZZ JAM SESSION

Open Stage ‘Jazz Jam’ where our excellent House Trio backs all kinds of surprise jazzy guests dropping in to play – and we’ve no idea who’s coming in until tonight! If you want to play, turn up with your instrument and ask for a place on the evening’s list of guest players.

Wed 25

6.15pm-8pm Free until 7.30pm   JOHN HUNT’S AFTER WORK BLUES

Acoustic/Electric Blues by singer/guitarist John Hunt – and check out his amazing hand-built guitars! ‘Gritty, Funky Boogie-Woogie from a master of blues slide-guitar’ – Evening News

9.15pm-11.15pm £10/£8   EDINBURGH UNIVERSITY JAZZ ORCHESTRA

Fabulous sounds from the excellent Edinburgh University Jazz Orchestra, a 21-piece band performing jazz, funk, pop and everything in between. Come along to their final gig of the semester – the perfect way to kick off the summer!

12.15am-2.30am £5/£3   GLAMOUR & THE BAYBES

6-Piece funk with ripping horns and massive vocals that grab you by the soul and drop you on the dance floor! Featuring the spectacular voice and eclectic madness of Angus Munro. ‘Soulful and outrageous… the largest vocal range I’ve ever heard!’ (Scotsman)

Thu 26

6.15pm-8.30pm Free until 7.30pm   GRAEME MEARNS – Acoustic Swing

A Hat, a Suit, and a Guitar. With a swing/jazz/acoustic style somewhere between Django Reinhardt and Richard Thompson, you’ll hear familiar songs in a way you’ve never imagined

9.15pm-11.30pm £10/£8   GABRIEL ZUCKER & ATTILA GYÁRFÁS

Attila Gyárfás and Gabriel Zucker have been making music since they met in 2017 in New York. Their duo infuses sonic and rhythmic freedom into complex, maximalist compositions. Their first record together, Cities and Deserts, was recorded in October 2021 in Budapest, and released earlier this year on Hunnia Records.
“Piano firebrand” (Brooklyn Rail) Gabriel Zucker is a pianist, composer, and multi-instrumentalist from New York, whose work combines maximalist compositions with the progressive improvisation of New York’s creative music scene. Attila Gyárfás is a Hungarian drummer, composer, and improvisor, who has appeared on over 20 records and has performed at a great number of major venues and festivals all over Europe, such as the Bimhuis in Amsterdam, the Palace of Arts in Budapest, and the Porgy & Bess in Vienna.

12.15am-2.30am £5/£3   THURSDAY FUNK: FUTURE HEROES

Superbly creative guitarist Aki Remally (guitar/vocals) fronts this five-piece funk monster, playing tasty covers and heavy jams. Featuring Jonny White on saxophone, these guys will keep your feet moving all night long with the deep-funk rhythms of Toni McVey (drums), Tom Wilkinson (bass) and Luke Cunningham (keys) Occasional guests ensure a night of heavy funking for all. Get involved.

Fri 27

6.15pm-8.30pm £6/£5   HALF MOON MEDICINE SHOWCASE

Cera Impala, Edinburgh’s esteemed banjo babe, brings roots, folk, old-time jazz, gospel, rag, and original indie-love to The Jazz Bar as she hosts a one-of-a-kind showcase featuring talent from her eclectic community of artists. The Half Moon Medicine show(case) – the cure for what ails you!

9.15pm-11.30pm £10/£8   CELEBRATIONS: SYDNEY BECHET & JELLY ROLL MORTON

Ali Affleck and Dick Lee celebrate Sidney Bechet, Jellyroll Morton and French jazz favourites. With an all-star band and the standard Lee and Affleck ‘joie de vivre’ sur scène, an uplifting, vibrant and fun evening awaits!

12.15am-2.30am £8/£5   HIGH FADE

High Fade are Edinburgh’s newest funk band. Blending the soundscapes of the funk & disco era with their wide range of originals and covers that are tipped on their head and juiced up to provide a groove that gets bodies on the dance floor.

Sat 28

2.30pm-5.30pm Free   AFTERNOON JAZZ with THE MELLOTONES TRIO

Hot swinging jazz from Alan Anderson (piano), Jimmy Taylor (bass/vocals) and Dave Swanson (drums).

6.15pm-8.30pm £7/£5   THE SPOTLIGHT SESSIONS

Each week a top-drawer piano trio, led by bassist Ed Kelly, is joined by a special guest spot. Saxophonists, guitarists, trumpeters and singers showcase their talents in a broad range of jazz styles. From swing, blues, bossa, trad and modern, this is a variable early-evening session of intimate and enjoyable jazz.

9.15pm-11.30pm £10/£8   ‘WORLD PREMIERE’ QUINTET

Every Saturday, a different hand-picked selection of five excellent jazz players meets on stage for the first time (hence the name) – to play with no rehearsal, and no set list! Always a fresh line-up. This week: Martin Kershaw (sax), Matt Gough (trumpet & flugel horn), Paul Harrison (piano), Douglas Whates (bass), Greg Irons (drums).

12.15am-2.30am £8/£5   THE FRESH SQUEEZE

Fronted by the high-energy vocals of Kat Brooks, The Fresh Squeeze mix up funk classics and up-tempo R&B ranging from the 70s to the present day. Backed up by Alex James (guitar) and a solid rhythm section made up of Ali Tod (bass), Joe Revell (keys) and Carter Skillicorn (drums), there’s no doubt you won’t be spending the night in your seat.

Sun 29

6pm-8.30pm Free until 7.30pm   HOT TIN ROOF

Stripped-back atmospheric Blues/Soul from Andy Challen (guitar/voc) and Gavin Jack (slide guitar), AND loads of Swing/Blues Dancers on the dancefloor!

9.15pm-11.30pm £10/£8   ALI AFFLECK’S SPEAKEASY SESSIONS

Held on the last Sunday of each month, award-winning vocalist Ali Affleck brings a fiery New Orleans passion with heavy doses of old-time pop and deep digs into the rarest of trad and blues. Hot roots, blues, prohibition-era jazz, and cheeky Creole tunes from the finest swing bands around. Each month sees both new friends and old; special guests and long-time favourites of the swing dance community – the perfect end to the month!

12.15am-2.30am £5/£3   THE SUNDAY SINNERS

Neo-soul, trip-hop grooves and re-edited classics are delivered to your ears, feet and hips by this vocals-fronted band with a rhythm section to die for. Guaranteed to keep your feet moving and your jaw dropped. Featuring hot vocals from Fiona Lynch, funky guitar from Aki Remally, and dope grooves from Jim Drummond (drums) and Dougie Coulter (bass).

Mon 30

Open 7pm – Midnight

8pm-10.45pm £12/£8   THE JAZZ BAR’s 17-Piece BIG BAND

Open Rehearsal 8-9pm, full gig from 9.15-10.45pm
FOUR trumpets, FOUR trombones, FIVE saxes and FOUR rhythm! It’s a variable line-up of top-class pro players, who travel in from around Scotland to participate in this outstanding gig. Nowhere else can you hear this standard of regular Big Band playing. Led by saxophonist Keith Edwards, the personnel changes weekly, as does their selection of fantastic arrangements.

Tue 31

Open 7pm – Midnight

8.30pm-11pm £8/Free to play   THE GREAT JAZZ JAM SESSION

Open Stage ‘Jazz Jam’ where our excellent House Trio backs all kinds of surprise jazzy guests dropping in to play – and we’ve no idea who’s coming in until tonight! If you want to play, turn up with your instrument and ask for a place on the evening’s list of guest players.

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