Glasgow Jazz Festival celebrates successful return
Glasgow Jazz Festival enjoyed a successful return to form for their 37th edition with record high ticket sales which were up 54% on last year including 3 sold out shows!
Article Source: Glasgow Jazz Festival
Last Updated: 19 June 2023 14:32
The festival, which took place at venues across the city, hosted more than 30 events and concerts between Wednesday 14th – Sunday 18th June 2023, and saw record high ticket sales which were up 54% on last year including 3 sold out shows.
Over 4,000 jazz fans attended the festival, which took in venues from St. Luke’s and Drygate in the east to The Griffin, Nice n Sleazy and The Old Hairdresser’s in the city centre, and from The Glad Café, The Rum Shack and Some Great Reward in the southside, to the west end’s Òran Mór and The Hug & Pint, and for the first time, The Mackintosh Church.
Music lovers from Glasgow and beyond were delighted by the biggest names in jazz from across the globe. Scottish talent was showcased alongside artists from European nations including Spain, Iceland and Norway, as well as from the US and Nigeria.
Jill Rodger, Director of Glasgow Jazz Festival, said: “2023 has been a fantastic year for the festival. Seeing it grow a staggering 54% on last year after a few years of disruption and uncertainty is amazing. It’s so encouraging to see that the passion and demand for live jazz music is still strong among the people of Glasgow and everyone who travelled from further afield.
“It was wonderful to see the city’s venues come to life with the very best in jazz talent from across the world. The standard of the performances was incredible and we’re so proud to showcase Glasgow as a hub for this incredible genre. Thank you to everyone who came out to enjoy the music and all those who made the festival possible”
Performers included talented pianists Fergus McCreadie and Sunna Gunnlaugs, who performed a double headline show for audiences at Mackintosh Church under the 3D Gaia installation. Trumpeter Matthew Halsall brought his elevating, soulful sound to a sold out at St. Luke’s on the Saturday night and Graham Costello’s STRATA played to a sold out hometown crowd at Drygate.
The Marco Mezquida Trio, fronted by award-winning Spanish pianist and composer Marco Mezquida, alongside Martín Meléndez and Aleix Tobias, performed at St Luke’s, as well as American trombonist Steve Turre and visionary Nigerian-born, London-based nu-jazz saxophonist, composer, bandleader and innovator Camilla George, with all three acts receiving standing ovations from the appreciating crowd.
Acclaimed Scottish funk outfit Federation of the Disco Pimp, led by Marco Cafolla, brought an energetic live set to Òran Mór after a five-year hiatus, while iconic American soul legend Geno Washington and The Ram Jam Band also got the audience on their feet.
This year’s festival saw influential artists from the jazz scene and beyond celebrated. Mackintosh Church hosted Grappelli Night, where award-winning violinist Seonaid Aitken paid tribute to her French jazz violin hero Stéphane Grappelli, while Radiohead Reimagined saw Radiohead’s iconic discography re-imagined at Òran Mór, rearranged and performed by a ten-piece band of musicians from Glasgow's own vibrant jazz scene.
Winner of the 2018 BBC Young Jazz Musician of the Year Award Xhosa Cole brought his unique sound to Drygate, while The Tommy Smith Youth Jazz Orchestra celebrated their 20th anniversary year with a concert on the Friday night, with the acclaimed saxophonist leading a talented group of young jazz musicians.
As well as world-class performances, festival-goers were also able to take part in the Late Night Jam Sessions every night of the festival at Nice n Sleazy, providing a valuable creative space for up-and-coming musicians while making jazz music accessible to everyone. Many of the international acts took to the stage at the late night club after their shows to entertain the crowds and enjoy some Glasgow hospitality during their visit to the city.
The Festival has been signed up to the Keychange Initiative since its founding year and has once again achieved its aim of a gender balanced programme, with 58% of acts featuring at least one woman or gender expansive artist.
Glasgow Jazz Festival is funded by The National Lottery through Creative Scotland.
For more information please visit www.jazzfest.co.uk
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