Glasgow Jazz Festival programme unveiled

THE sounds of the Caribbean will be taking centre stage when the Glasgow Jazz Festival is held just a month before the Glasgow 2014 Commonwealth Games kicks off.

Courtney Pine is set for the Glasgow Jazz Festival. Picture: Richard Kaby (CC) [http://bit.ly/1hNuJKz]

A day dedicated to the sights and sounds of Jamaican music is set to be one of the highlights of this year’s programme.

Saxophonist Courtney Pine, London-based reggae outfit Jazz Jamaica and Glasgow’s own Black Star Steel Band will be among those staging special events on Saturday 28 June, while there will also be an event devoted to the classic Bob Marley album ‘Exodus’.

The five-day event will staged for the 28th time in a host of venues across the city, including the Glasgow Royal Concert Hall, Old Fruitmarket, City Halls, Glasgow Art Club and the Ramshorn Theatre.

Other star attractions in the festival, which runs from 25-29 June, include acoustic guitar star Martin Taylor, trombonist Dennis Rollins American R&B veteran Geno Washingon and MOBO-nominated vocalist Zara McFarlane.

Other highlights include celebrations of the songs of Nat King Cole, Leonard Cohen, Ella Fitzgerald and Jacques Brel, a concert inspired by the traditional folk melodies of Commonwealth countries, and a show inspired by the work of the all-time great cartoon composers.

A pop-up venue will also be staged for the first time in Merchant Square, in the Candleriggs area.

Full details of all shows are available at the Festival website.