China Moses heads an all-star line-up for 2010 Edinburgh jazz festival

Published on Thursday 10 June 2010 21:58

SOUL diva China Moses, the singer, songwriter and MTV host – in partnership with jazz pianist, Raphael Lemonnier – is one of the top draws in the Edinburgh Jazz and Blues Festival.

Regarded as one of the most exciting new voices in world jazz, Moses is appearing in her only UK performances at the festival, which will run from 30 July to 8 August.

Clandemonium, a Scottish jazz "flashmob" street event, sets a radically different tone. Drummer Tom Bancroft is inviting volunteer drummers, dancers, kazoo players, or singers to join a one-off concert lead by jazz horns and bagpipes.

Other highlights include a new commission for the Edinburgh Jazz Festival Orchestra by trumpeter Colin Steele, who spearheads the 25 concerts in the Scottish Jazz Expo, backed by the Scottish Government's Edinburgh Festivals Expo Fund.

The festival includes a celebration of 60 years of Edinburgh jazz with 18 concerts ranging from Sandy Brown's Fifties jazz to new sounds from Kevin Mackenzie and Martin Kershaw. Jazz genius Django Reinhart's centenary is celebrated with concerts by Martin Taylor, Fapy Lafertin and Evan Christopher among others.

The world premiere of Naturally Inspired, a collaboration between the Storytelling Festival and the Mela, includes a day of events scattered throughout Edinburgh's Royal Botanic Garden.

Canned Heat Woodstock Reunited Band play their first Edinburgh date in over 15 years. Other blues acts include Peter Green, Eric Burdon, Paul Lamb, Barbara Morrison and Alvin Youngblood Hart.

A mini-festival of French jazz includes the Scottish premiere by the Orchestre National de Jazz, the return of the 2009 hit Les Doigts de L'Homme, and Baptiste Trotignon playing alongside Scottish saxophonist Konrad Wisniewsk.

Culture minister Fiona Hyslop said the festival had shown its commitment to nurturing Scotland's musical talent and showcasing the best in jazz and blues to local, national and international audiences. The 2010 Festival is sponsored by Glenmorangie, Icon Energy, Lothian Buses and the Apex Hotel, with The Scotsman as media partner.