Jazz breaking news: The Bad Plus, Kurt Elling, and Joe Temperley back in Scotland for Edinburgh Jazz and Blues Festival
Wednesday, May 30, 2012
Dr John, The Manhattan Transfer, Kyle Eastwood Band, and Martin Taylor are some of the big names now confirmed for July’s Edinburgh Jazz and Blues Festival.
Running from 20 July to 29 July, a special feature of the fest this year is the latest running of the high profile government-backed Scottish Jazz Expo with The World Jazz Orchestra playing the music of Duke Ellington directed by the great Fife-born Jazz at Lincoln Center baritone saxophonist Joe Temperley, with special guest singer Cécile McLorin Salvant who won the Thelonious Monk vocals competition in 2010. 
Edinburgh also marks, via the Jazz Festival Orchestra, the centenary of the birth of Gil Evans while other highlights include the return to the Scottish capital of post-jazz renegades The Bad Plus with Joshua Redman; the great Chicago singer Kurt Elling along with guitarist Charlie Hunter; hard bop heavyweights the hotly tipped Jeremy Pelt Quintet; and influential 'downtown' alto saxophonist Dave Binney. An Italian strand features Danilo Rea and Flavio Boltro among others; while special Polish jazz programming includes a rare glimpse in the UK of Blue Note-signed singer Aga Zaryan known for her finely judged interpretations of the poetry of Czesław Miłosz. Leading Scottish bands booked include the Brian Kellock Trio, the Colin Steele Quintet and singer Niki King’s The Elements.
– Stephen Graham
The Bad Plus (above) and Cécile McLorin Salvant
For more go to www.edinburghjazzfestival.com