Jazz Scotland promotes and supports jazz and related musics in Scotland.

Our Festivals

Each of our festivals features what could be described as a specialist offering - the best of upcoming local and international jazz, new commissions and collaborations, music at the cutting edge of the genre.

Held annually in March over two weeks and includes local, national and international musicians performing in a variety of small and larger venues.

The festival includes free and community events and participation workshops and is funded by Creative Scotland and Aberdeen City Council.
Person holding a large tuba in an indoor pool area with 'Bon Accord Baths' branding.

Soundbath

Performances of solo commissions in an art deco and cathedral like abandoned swimming pool

Band practice with musicians playing brass instruments and a conductor on stage.

Youth Ensembles

Special festival ensembles rehearses each year from September with a final performance at the festival

Innovative Spaces

Aberdeen Jazz Festival makes use of a wide range of spaces in the city to host unique events.

Group of women playing musical instruments in a vintage-style room.

International Acts

The festival attracts a wide range of International Acts, including regular collaborations, like Dee Don Danube, a twin city celebration between Aberdeen and Regensburg, Germany

Held over a weekend in September, this festival is unique in its format because of its remote location.

This means venues are small and intimate and travel is necessary but spectacular.

Unique Venues

Performances are held in local art centres, distilaries and village halls across Islay.

Collaborations

Special festival ensembles and new collaborations always occur on Islay

Stunning Setting

The island is as much a star of the weekend as the music.

Star Acts

The Island always attracts the best names from Scottish and UK jazz.

For a week in November, Dundee comes alive with great homegrown and international jazz throughout the city.

A week where all generations mix to perform high quality new music.

Big Bands

Dundee has great local big Bands, who feature throughout this community focused festival.

Youth & Students

University students and youth groups get their chance to perform alongside world class visiting talent

Gigs in Special Places

Dundee hosts brilliant spaces that come to life with live music throughout the festival.

Homegrown Talent

Dundee is proud to support local talent and new stars.

Our Community

Jazz Scotland wants to ensure that an ethical community programme is a fully-embedded strand of all our festival work.

At its core, this aim is about making sure that Jazz Scotland, as a publicly-funded organisation, is as relevant as it can be for a wide range of people

Our Education

Band practice with musicians playing brass instruments and a conductor on stage.

Jazz Scotland believes access to high-quality musical education to be a foundation of a thriving musical community.

We're working with creative partners across Scotland, through our festivals and through all-year round activity, to provide high quality education opportunities to everyone, no matter background and experience.