‘They look more like Interpol than a jazz quartet, play a high energy punk-jazz hybrid that's as funky as hell, and are tipped to explode this year’ - Time Out ‘The band hammered through raunchy tenor licks over rumbling drum'n'bass sounds, trancelike dance-floor hooks blurring into free-sax howls, power-chord rock, briefly dreamy episodes for soft horn-playing, jingly keys and Rochford's lazy slow-funk pulse, and a Coltranesque lament. On this evidence Acoustic Ladyland will be one of the big stories of 2005.’ - The Guardian NEW CD JUST OUT: Last Chance Disco ‘The second album by London four-piece Acoustic Ladyland is an all-out assault on the senses. It breaks with most ideas of what a jazz record sounds like, with smack-in-your-face post-punk production.... An album that brings out the indie rock fan's inner aesthete, and the jazz fan's inner hooligan.... headbangingly good.’ - The Guardian, CD of the week. 6 May 2005

Leading Scottish trumpeter Colin Steele, joined by an all-star band of top players, reproduces the music of Miles Davis from the period of his classic recordings of ‘Milestones and ‘Kind Of Blue’. Steele’s latest album ‘Through The Waves’ is just out on ACT, and his previous CD ‘The Journey Home’ was voted Best Jazz Album of 2004 in the BBC Radio UK Jazz. Colin's versatility is evident in the music he chooses to play, from straight ahead jazz through to funk, Latin and dance.

Jazz Course UK is a leading organisation running short courses for creative musicians at all levels. It’s flagship course Edinburgh Jazz Summer School runs every August, attracting instrumental players from all over the UK and abroad, who are taught by top jazz names in an intensive practical, playing environment. This programme slot provides the participants with a valuable end-of-course chance to perform material learned and rehearsed during the course and will feature several small ensembles. The Rob Hall International Band comprises the main instrumental tutors on the Edinburgh Jazz Summer School, all experienced and active performers and composers in their own right. Their performances during the 2004 Edinburgh festival went down a storm and once again their set will include original compositions from all members of the band.

Rob Hall - UK(saxes) Ged Brockie - UK(guitar) Dan Knight–US(piano) Andre Nendza-Germany(bass) Sebastiaan Cornelissen-Netherlands(drums)

Tim Garland is one of the UK’s most noted saxophonists, and recently made international waves through his work with the world-famous piano star Chick Corea. He works regularly with Bill Bruford’s Earthworks, Acoustic Triangle, the Storms/Nocturnes trio with New York vibist Joe Locke, the 9-piece Dean Street Underground Orchestra, and the Northern Sinfonia. He is currently Composer-In-Residence at Newcastle University. His latest CD ‘Change Of Season’ is with his International Quartet, John Patitucci (bass), Paul Bollenback (gtr) and Gary Novak (drs), on Sirocco Jazz.

Led and rehearsed by the world-famous Scottish sax star, The Tommy Smith Youth Orchestra gives young, upcoming musicians vital live performance experience, and contains some excellent talent. They play a repertoire of challenging and rewarding music written by Maria Schneider, Gil Evans, Duke Ellington, Kenny Wheeler, Charles Mingus, Cedar Walton, Dizzy Gillespie, Jaco Pastorius, Oliver Nelson, Pat Metheny and Count Basie.

Hear the jazz stars of tomorrow in this superb 23-piece Big Band!

Glasgow jazz trumpeter Ryan Quigley has teamed up with trombonist Lorna Macdonald to form this 14-piece group. Inspired by hearing classical 10-piece brass ensembles, Ryan and Lorna thought ‘Let’s do this for a jazz project’. This group brings together top players from Scotland and England, with a hard-hitting, hard-blowing set of dynamite arrangements.