The Sound of Islay is Jazz - September 19-21st

Jazz and Whisky blend once again in Islay with an all-star programme

The beautiful island of Islay is once again to play host to one of Scotland’s most iconic jazz festivals - the Caol Ila Islay Jazz Festival. The popular event, now in its 27th year, will showcase the talents of Scottish, UK and International performers in a setting renowned the world over for its natural beauty. Running from 19th–21st September, the festival is held in venues ranging from whisky distilleries to village halls, churches to cultural centres. Audiences can travel the island listening to soul-filling music and sampling Islay’s finest malts. 

New Sponsorship

This is the first year that Caol Ila will be headline sponsor of the festival which has been supported by its parent company, Diageo, for 15 years, previously having Lagavulin as the title sponsor. Caol Ila, or “The Sound of Islay”, has more than just a fitting name as a headline sponsor - the distillery is the perfect place for visitors to embrace Islay, and will host the opening night of the festival, with a concert from award-winning pianist Fergus McCreadie’s Trio kicking off the weekend.

To mark the festival, a limited edition Caol Ila release has been exclusively crafted, details to come soon. To toast this special bottling, the festival will present a two-part special on Saturday from two of the UK’s leading guitarists from different generations; Jim Mullen will lead an all-star quartet with the style and musicianship that have been hallmarks of his career spanning five-decades. This concert will be followed by BBC Young Jazz Musician of the Year Timmy Allan presenting his guitar-led quartet on the island for the first time. Two exceptional guitarists at the top of their game, both backed by some of Scotland's finest musicians.

Great Range of Concerts all weekend

For fans of the traditional canon, audiences will find enjoyment across the programme. Ali Affleck leads two different bands over the weekend through the rich and varied history of early jazz and ragtime. Acclaimed singer Zoe Francis from London & New York will bring her beautiful voice and sensitive storytelling to the inner hebrides for the first time.

Fifty years after Keith Jarrett's Koln Concert enthralled a sellout crowd, Paul Harrison’ new trio  explores the album's enduring appeal, and renowned trumpeter Colin Steele will present his new album ‘Jazz Interpretations of the Blue Nile Songbook’ on the island for the first time.

Festival-goers who prefer high-powered contemporary jazz will find a thrill in the festival’s final concert, with Stephen Henderson’s Modern Vikings gracing the stage at Bruichladdie Hall to round off the evening. There will be intimate solo shows featuring original music by American multi-instrumentalist Cahalen Morrisson and French Glaswegian Gaia, and experimental brass duo Dopey Monkey will bring their unique take on traditional music to the natural surroundings of the RSPB center in Islays wilds.

Islay Experiences for only £10

New to the festival this year are two ‘Islay Experiences’, programmed to capture music in iconic Islay spaces. Martin Lee Thomson (euphonium) will perform an acoustic set of special compositions in the iconic Round Church in Bowmore as the sunsets on Saturday night. 

On Sunday lunchtime David Bowden will bring his Double Bass to the Caol Ila Barrel Store, performing solo pieces and re-create the amazing Soundbath project amongst aging whisky, incredible acoustic and the angels share of the distillery. These two concerts are part of a drive by Jazz Scotland and the Islay Arts Association to provide accessible music for all, and are only £10 a ticket. 

Collaborations

The Caol Ila Islay Jazz Festival is widely known as a creative hot-house where top-class musicians meet and collaborate in new and exciting ways, and this year's festival is no exception. As a crowning central piece, Saturday night will feature a festival premiere - showcasing a set of music exclusively crafted for the festival. Produced by a collaboration featuring a quartet of Scottish-based musicians saxophonist Norman Wilmore, drummer Corrie Dick, pianist Fergus McCreadie and guitarist James Mackay, they will be joined by American multi-instrumentalist Cahalen Morrisson and others to weave a set the blends folk and jazz through the dialogue and interplay of their different homelands. It will be an incredible night from these trailblazing musicians that will delight and surprise.

Visitors to the island can enjoy all of this inspirational and creative music, as part of the friendly community who immerse themselves in the festival annually while appreciating the virtues of Islay: the warmth of welcome, the timeless natural beauty, the deep cultural heritage, and, of course, the whisky. Financially, the longstanding festival is supported by The National Lottery through Creative Scotland and Diageo, and is produced by Jazz Scotland in partnership with the Islay Arts Association.

John Youngs, CEO of Jazz Scotland, said of the festival, “I’m thrilled to see the programme unveiled for the 27th Caol Ila Islay Jazz Festival! There’s nothing quite like the festival’s setting; Islay’s stunning landscape and distinctive island atmosphere are as much a part of the weekend as the passionate community of local audiences, partners and festival staff who return year after year. More than just a festival, it’s a vibrant meeting point for artists, sparking bold creativity, joyful spontaneity, and unforgettable performances. It’s a unique weekend within Scotland’s cultural calendar—and its spirit only grows stronger with each passing year. “

Stuart Todd from the Islay Arts Association said, "The musical range of this Festival is particularly wide and will be one of the things that promise to make this first year of Caol Ila's sponsorship so special. Styles span from early New Orleans to spanking up-to-date electronica, and many points between. Artists are from five nations, with ages ranging from Young Scottish Musician of the Year to star veterans. Influences in some concerts will include Americana, European classical, and Scottish Folk - with a particular nod to Shetland. And this is all bedded in a programme full of top quality modern jazz showcasing some of Scotland's leading artists. It will be a memorable weekend.”

Clare Hewitt, Music Officer at Creative Scotland said: “Every year, Caol Ila Islay Jazz Festival distils the talents of some of Scotland’s finest musicians into an innovative programme that resonates with the sounds and flavours of the island. Pairing unique performances with Islay’s stunning spaces, the festival is a truly special one that captivates audiences. Creative Scotland is proud to support this event as it welcomes international guests to Scotland and raises a glass to the country’s incredible jazz scene.”

Eleanor Gillies, Caol Ila and Lagavulin Brand Home Manager, said:  “Jazz Festival brings with it a real buzz to the island, and it’s great to have Caol Ila as the headline sponsor for the first time this year. With a name like ‘The Sound of Islay’, it feels like Caol Ila was destined to host such a brilliant celebration of music. The line up this year looks incredible and guests can expect some standout performances from world-leading jazz musicians, drams, cocktails and panoramic views of some of Scotland’s stunning scenery - we can’t wait to welcome visitors new and old.”