{"title":"AJF26: Straight up Jazz","description":"\u003cp\u003eNothing swings like it. Piano, Drums, Bass, Horns - improvising and building on all that's gone before. \u003c\/p\u003e","products":[{"product_id":"david-helbock-julia-hofer","title":"David Helbock \u0026 Julia Hofer (Past Event AJF 2026)","description":"\u003cp dir=\"ltr\"\u003e\u003cspan\u003eAustrian pianist David Helbock, acclaimed for his inventive textures and percussive approach to the piano, joins forces with Vienna-based bassist and cellist Julia Hofer. Helbock’s international career includes major festival appearances and awards from the Montreux Jazz Festival, while Hofer is known both for her versatility and her wide-reaching online presence.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp dir=\"ltr\"\u003e\u003cspan\u003eTogether in a rare Scottish appearance, presenting their new ACT Music album \u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan\u003eFaces of Night\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan\u003e, they mix atmospheric originals with rhythm-driven jazz pieces that highlight both artists’ distinctive voices. \u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp dir=\"ltr\"\u003e\u003cspan\u003e“Impossible not to be swept along by the verve, humour and inventiveness.” — \u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan\u003eJazzjournal (UK)\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Presented by Jazz Scotland","offers":[{"title":"General Admission","offer_id":57507173433725,"sku":"2563616","price":20.0,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":true},{"title":"Student","offer_id":57507173466493,"sku":"2563617","price":8.0,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0572\/0830\/7862\/files\/DavidHelbock_JuliaHofer_1.webp?v=1767800308"},{"product_id":"dee-don-danube-2","title":"Dee Don Danube (Past Event AJF 2026)","description":"\u003cp dir=\"ltr\"\u003e\u003cspan\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eThis Event has now ended\u003c\/strong\u003e \u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp dir=\"ltr\"\u003e\u003cspan\u003eA unique collaboration uniting musicians from Aberdeen and its twin city Regensburg in Germany, the Dee Don Danube project has been a highlight of Aberdeen Jazz Festival for many years. \u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp dir=\"ltr\"\u003e\u003cspan\u003eDrawing on connections between the two cities, the group presents original music shaped by shared traditions, new friendships and an open, creative approach to improvisation.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp dir=\"ltr\"\u003e\u003cspan\u003eFrom Aberdeen, vocalist AiiTee and pianist Neil Birse will be joined by Josef Nitsch and Julius Peter Nitsch. \u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp dir=\"ltr\"\u003e\u003cspan\u003eAiiTee is a talented up and coming singer\/songwriter based in Scotland. Originally from Nigeria, AiiTee’s style is a unique blend of Afrobeat, Soul, Gospel and R\u0026amp;B. She started releasing music at the start of 2020 and has seen her music grow from strength to strength. \u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan\u003eAberdeen-born Neil Birse is a superb jazz pianist and composer who has built a rich and varied career performing across Scotland, London and beyond. His playing combines technical skill with a wonderful feel for improvisation and he brings real energy and creativity to every performance.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan\u003e \u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cdiv\u003ePeter Julius Nitsch (1980) from Regensburg, Germany, studied in Amsterdam and New York, played and lived in Amsterdam, New York, Rio De Janeiro, now living in Berlin, played with musicians a.o. Nils Landgren, Edu Ribeiro and Candy Dulfer. \u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003cdiv\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003cdiv\u003e\n\u003cspan class=\"il\"\u003eJosef\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan\u003e \u003c\/span\u003eNitsch (1979) from Regensburg Germany, studied in The Hague, currently lives there too, played with musicians a.o. Branford Marsalis,  John Ruocco and David Liebman.\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003cp dir=\"ltr\"\u003e \u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp dir=\"ltr\"\u003e\u003cspan\u003eWith jazz, improvisation and melody flowing from both cities, Dee Don Danube is both undefinable and clearly from the twin cities. \u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e \u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Presented in association with Regensburg Jazz","offers":[{"title":"General Admission","offer_id":57510673154429,"sku":"2564151","price":16.0,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":true},{"title":"Student","offer_id":57510673187197,"sku":"2564152","price":8.0,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0572\/0830\/7862\/files\/14-_P1429183.jpg?v=1776352930"},{"product_id":"paul-harrison-encontros","title":"Paul Harrison Encontros (Past Event AJF 2026)","description":"\u003cp dir=\"ltr\"\u003e\u003cspan\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eThis Event has now ended\u003c\/strong\u003e \u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp dir=\"ltr\"\u003e\u003cspan\u003ePianist Paul Harrison presents \u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan\u003eEncontros\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan\u003e, his vibrant celebration of the music of Brazilian composer Egberto Gismonti. Colourful, rhythmic and expressive, the project brings together a stunning lineup of musicians from Scotland.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp dir=\"ltr\"\u003e\u003cspan\u003eThe music captures the spirit of Gismonti’s work—melodic, atmospheric and full of rhythmic life—while leaving space for fresh improvisation and group interaction that’s been the hallmark of Paul’s career. The album has been praised by Gismonti himself, who described it as having “humour, has grace, and freedom to play”, and we can’t wait to welcome it to the Cowdray Hall.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Presented by Jazz Scotland","offers":[{"title":"General Admission","offer_id":57510678790525,"sku":"2564163","price":16.0,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":true},{"title":"Student","offer_id":57510678823293,"sku":"2564164","price":8.0,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0572\/0830\/7862\/files\/Sunday_Koln_at_50-002-3634.jpg?v=1768418047"},{"product_id":"laura-macdonald-originals","title":"Laura MacDonald - Originals (Past Event AJF 2026)","description":"\u003cp dir=\"ltr\"\u003e\u003cspan\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eThis Event has now ended\u003c\/strong\u003e \u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp dir=\"ltr\"\u003e\u003cspan\u003eSaxophonist Laura MacDonald remains one of the UK’s most distinctive and expressive jazz voices. Appearing in duo with pianist Paul Harrison, she presents a thoughtful selection of original compositions, imaginative reworkings and favourite standards. \u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp dir=\"ltr\"\u003e\u003cspan\u003eHer playing is marked by lyrical phrasing, clarity of tone and a strong melodic focus—an intimate showcase of two leading Scottish musicians.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e \u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Presented by Jazz Scotland","offers":[{"title":"General Admission","offer_id":57510680363389,"sku":"2564169","price":12.0,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":true},{"title":"Student","offer_id":57510680396157,"sku":"2564170","price":8.0,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0572\/0830\/7862\/files\/LauraMacdonald_ca8dde9f-00b3-4b35-a3bc-23250eace38d.webp?v=1765143250"},{"product_id":"matthew-kilner-quintet","title":"Matthew Kilner Quintet (Past Event AJF 2026)","description":"\u003cp dir=\"ltr\"\u003e\u003cspan\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eThis Event has now ended\u003c\/strong\u003e \u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp dir=\"ltr\"\u003e\u003cspan\u003eSaxophonist Matthew Kilner—finalist in the 2023 BBC Radio Scotland Young Jazz Musician of the Year—returns to his hometown once again. 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Their critically acclaimed debut album has drawn attention both at home and abroad.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp dir=\"ltr\"\u003e\u003cspan\u003eWorking without chordal instruments, the group centres its music on the warm blend of double bass, trumpet and woodwind, shaping a spacious and quietly expressive sound. Influenced by Swedish jazz, minimalist film scores and French Impressionism, Maridalen’s music unfolds in subtle moods and small, evocative narratives. Often described as melodic jazz with a strong folk sensibility, the trio blends its influences into a voice unmistakably its own.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e \u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e \u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Presented by Jazz at the Blue Lamp","offers":[{"title":"General Admission","offer_id":57700506272125,"sku":"2587821","price":16.0,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":true},{"title":"Student","offer_id":57700506304893,"sku":"2587822","price":8.0,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":true},{"title":"Concession","offer_id":57788275196285,"sku":"2612909","price":13.0,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0572\/0830\/7862\/products\/32920_image_294907715_414177840691498_430315689459777134_n.jpg?v=1675344026"},{"product_id":"brian-molley-quartet","title":"Brian Molley Quartet (Past Event AJF 2026)","description":"\u003cp dir=\"ltr\"\u003e\u003cspan\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e This Event has now finished\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp dir=\"ltr\"\u003e\u003cspan\u003eSaxophonist Brian Molley and his quartet reinterpret the Scottish Songbook through a modern jazz lens. Blending folk melodies, traditional themes and contemporary improvisation, the project highlights the beauty and versatility of Scotland’s musical heritage. A night of lyrical playing, thoughtful arrangements and a cohesive ensemble sound.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e \u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Presented by Jazz at the Blue Lamp","offers":[{"title":"General Admission","offer_id":57700533141885,"sku":"2587866","price":16.0,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":true},{"title":"Student","offer_id":57700533174653,"sku":"2587867","price":8.0,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":true},{"title":"Concession","offer_id":57788111225213,"sku":"2612898","price":13.0,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0572\/0830\/7862\/files\/BrianMolley.webp?v=1770300511"}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0572\/0830\/7862\/collections\/Sunday_Koln_at_50-002-3634.jpg?v=1771672022","url":"https:\/\/jazzscotland.com\/collections\/ajf26-straight-up-jazz.oembed","provider":"Jazz Scotland","version":"1.0","type":"link"}