Jazz Aberdeen

Ari Hoenig is one of the most creative drummers in jazz today. Since making his base in New York, the Philadelphia-born Hoenig has impressed critics and audiences alike with his sensitive dynamism, working with leading players including Chris Potter, Mike Stern, Joshua Redman, Dave Leibman and Bojan Z. The trio he brings to the Blue Lamp features New Yorks latest star guitarist, Gilad Hekselman, and Scottish bassist Euan Burton in a session that guarantees exciting, inventive, blue chip music.

Presenting the classic big band sound, Aberdeen Jazz Orchestra has gone from strength top strength since its formation in 2004. Acclaimed Aberdeen Jazz Festival performances with top UK singer Tina May and dynamic trumpeter Ryan Quigley, in last years tribute to high note specialist Maynard Ferguson, have confirmed the orchestras quality and professionalism. Expect tightly executed section work, exciting solos and a massive sense of swing as AJO set the Blue Lamp rockin in rhythm once more.

David Berkman is one of the leading pianists on the New York jazz scene. Drawing deeply from the jazz tradition, he has developed a style that owes much to the masters and yet is fresh and distinctively his own. An award winning composer who brings an orchestral quality to everything he plays, he has worked with many top names including Sonny Stitt, Cecil McBee, Joe Lovano and Hank Crawford. This eagerly anticipated return visit to Aberdeen reunites him with the ultra-expressive saxophonist Phil Bancroft in a quartet also featuring powerhouse Scottish drummer, Alyn Cosker.

New Orleans Saxophonist Jesse Davis returns to Aberdeen to bring his Quartet to perform at the Blue Lamp.

Glasgow based Jim Whyte brings his band Sonic Butterfly for their debut at the Blue Lamp, presented by Jazz Aberdeen.

Jazz Aberdeen kick off the start of the 2008 season of gigs at the Blue Lamp with local sax player Garry Gibb and his Quartet, joined by special guest Colin Steele.

Mario Caribe is with Graeme Stephen sextet on the 8th and Leo Blanco quartet on the 10th. You'll find all you need on the events calendar. For people in their 20s Id recommend something like Pete Carney and Orange Alert. They play acid jazz in which they use computers to jazz up the music, so to speak! For younger folks I'd also recomment Trianglehead and Polar Bear. Martin Taylor's bound to blow you away if you like crazy guitar solos etc! hope this helps you a bit steve

Aberdeen City and Shire has a wealth of talented jazz musicians and this is a unique opportunity to see and hear the best of them in a relaxed and informal atmosphere. There will be a wide range of jazz styles including trad jazz, vocal jazz, cool jazz, mainstream and bop and also a chance to hear some of the great musicians from the Granite City. Come along, relax and enjoy the best of the local jazz scene.

Swedish guitarist Ulf Wakenius made a sensational Aberdeen debut at last year's festival, his superbly rounded virtuosity and exciting, edgy improvising showing why Oscar Peterson, Pat Metheny and Quincy Jones all love him. John McLaughlin describes him as "playing as if he was born with a guitar already in his hands". Pat Meheny considers him simply "great". And Oscar Peterson put it better still by inviting Ulf Wakenius to follow Barney Kessell, Hurb Ellis and Joe Pass in playing guitar in his quartet. Influenced by the blues, John Coltrane and Pass, the Swede has long been admired by fellow musicians internationall and the long list of those he has worked with includes Herbie Hancock, Joe Henderson and Michael Brecker. His clear, direct and lyrical playing style has earned him the sobriquet as The Swedish guitar genius. With Aidan O'Donnell on bass, Paul Harrison on piano and Stuart Ritchie on drums. visit www.aberdeenjazzfestival.com for tickets, or call 01224 619769

The student group continues the twin city jazz relationship between Aberdeen and Stavanger and is joined by leading Norweigan based musicians Wayne Brasel on guitar and Tor Yttredal on saxophone. visit www.aberdeenjazzfestival.com for tickets, or call 01224 619769

The future of jazz in Scotland - and potentially much further afield - is here. Twenty one young musicians, under the direction of Scotland's most distinguished jazz musician, give it big stuff on a repertoire ranging from Ellington, Basie, Mingus and Gillespie classics to present day big band belters by Maria Schnieder and Joe Zawinul. Some of these musicians have already stepped up to play with the Scottish National Jazz Orchestra; the others are knocking at its door as the Tommy Smith Youth Jazz Orchestra glows with prowess and roars with enthusiasm. visit www.aberdeenjazzfestival.com for tickets, or call 01224 619769

Ease into the wee small hours with great sounds from Gordon and some surprise guests. visit www.aberdeenjazzfestival.com for tickets, or call 01224 619769

BBC Jazz Award - winning trumpeter Colin Steel has attracted an international audience for his artful blending of Scottish and jazz traditions. Now his quintet returns to one of his first inspirations, re-interpreting Miles Davis's classic late 1950s music with style, sensitivity and brio. One of the golden generation of Scottish jazz musicians who emerged alongside Tommy Smith, Brian Kellock and the Bancroft brothers in the 1980s, Steele has matured into a player of immense aughority. His signing to the German Act label and festival successes in France and German have confirmed his position as a musician of international stature. visit www.aberdeenjazzfestival.com for tickets, or call 01224 619769

One of the world's top guitarists, Martin Taylor has been dazzling audiences for over thirty years with his blend of superb technical accomplishment and bluesy, personal communication. Although primarily known for his solo guitar playing and instrumental jazz, he has long enjoyed working with singers. He and Carol Kidd had a successful partnership and his latest singing partner, Alison Burns, is currently making a big impression. Inspired by Sarah Vaughan, Lena Horne and Ella Fitzgerald, Burns has developed a lovely, clear and mature style and is about to issue her first album. Pre-performance 2 course carvery available from 6pm for just 17.50. Meals must be booked in advance. visit www.aberdeenjazzfestival.com for tickets, or call 01224 619769

Live broadcast by BBC Radio 3 Jazz Line-up One of the most accomplished young pianists on the British scene, Gwilym Simcock was voted Rising Star in the 2005 BBC Jazz Awards, has worked with Lee Konitz and Kenny Wheeler and currently plays with Bill Bruford's Earthworks. His quintet plays exciting, wonderfully optimistic music with depth and assurance with Stan Sulzmann (sax), John Parricelli )guitar), Martin France (dums), Phil Donkin (bass). This concert is presented by BBC Radio 3's "Jazz Line-up" programme with Julian Joseph and will be broadcast live from the Lemon Tree. Gwilym Simcock is a member of Radio 3's New Generation Artists scheme which is supported by Aviva plc. To request free tickets call the Radio 3 information line on 08700 100 300

Israel's Yuval Ron and Residents of the Future are an electrifying addition to the world jazz scene. Fronted by guitarist Ron, the quartet draws on jazz, progressive rock and metal influences to create music that's harmonically rich, rythmically sophisticated and totally compelling. visit www.aberdeenjazzfestival.com for tickets, or call 01224 619769

Venezuelan pianist Lep Blanco is the next international jazz star. A musician of supernatural ability and a composer of immense imagination, Blanco brings together his native South American rythms and improvisational flair to create soulful music to move and be moved by. Blanco, who studied at Boston's prestigious Berklee School of Music, first came to Scottish listeners' attention at the Edinburgh Fringe in 2006. His concerts saxophonist Laura MacDonald, bassist Mario Caribe and drummer Alyn Cosker caused a sensation, resulting in Blanco receiving one of The Herald newspaper's much prized Angel awards. The quartet's Aberdeen debut is one of this year's most keenly awaited musical events. visit www.aberdeenjazzfestival.com for tickets, or call 01224 619769

Venezuelan pianist Leo Blanco is the next international jazz star. A musician of supernatural ability and a composer of immense imagination, Blanco brings together his native Sount American rythms and improvisational flair to create soulful music to move and to be moved by. Blanco, who studied at Boston's prestigious Berklee School of Music, first came to Scottish listeners' attention at the Edinburgh Fringe in 2006. His concerts with saxophonist Laura MacDonald, bassist Mario Caribe and drummer Alyn Cosker caused a sensation, resulting in Blanco recieving one of The Herald newspaper's much prized Angel awayrds. The quartet's Aberdeen debut is one of this year's most keenly awaited musical events. visit www.aberdeenjazzfestival.com for tickets, or call 01224 619769

The fabulous Swedish singer has a famous literary surname (Viktoria is War and Peace author Leo Tolstoy's great great granddaughter) and all the jazz singing credentials you could want. Completely self-taught, Viktoria emerged on the Swedish jazz scene in the mid 1990s and in 1997 she became the first Scandinavian artist to sign to the legendary Blue Note Records label, releasing the White Russian CD in collaboration with Esbjorn Svensson. She frequently tops the pop charts at home and her great tone, marvellous musicality and the ability to both swing hard and melt hearts have made her one of jazz's top singing attractions worldwide. visit www.aberdeenjazzfestival.com for tickets, or call 01224 619769

Ease into the wee small hours with great sounds from gordon and some surprise guests. visit www.aberdeenjazzfestival.com for tickets, or call 01224 619769

Jonas Kulhammer scored with his first CD, Salut, winning Radio Sweden's Newcomer of the Year award. Seven years on, the saxophonist's quartet is one of Europe's leading roups showcasing Kulhammar's big tenor sound in powerful modern bop to heavy groove settings. visit www.aberdeenjazzfestival.com for tickets, or call 01224 619769

Featuring heroes of Scottish jazz's first golden age alongside giants of the present generation, the Scottish Jazz All Stars recall the era of the Clyde Valley Stompers and Alex Welsh with vigour, spirit and accomplishment that make the music live in the moment. With a frontline including Forrie Cairns' exuberantly agile clarinet playing and trumpeter Lennie Herd's understated eloquence, a rythm section driven by pianist Brian Kellock's toorential, swinging invention, and the emotional power of Fionna Duncan's bruised 'n' bluesy singing, this is a band that truly lives up to its name. Pre-performnance 2 course carvery available from 17.50 - must be booked in advance. Call 01224 330345 to book visit www.aberdeenjazzfestival.com for tickets, or call 01224 619769

Saxophonist Tommy Smith Underlined the current high quality of Scottish jazz in recording the brilliant Forbidden Fruit with his latest grouop in 2005, his first CD featuring and all-Scottish line-up in twenty years. Now approaching his fortieth birthday, Smith leads his youthful rythm section with an enormous amount of playing and recording experience, from his teenage years with vibist Gary Burton's group Scofield, Joe Lovano and Kenny Barron to his assured direction of the Scottish National Jazz Orchestra. With the extravagantly talented American vibraphonist Joe Locke guesting, Smith's group promises bustling, melodic, inventive adventures. visit www.aberdeenjazzfestival.com for tickets, or call 01224 619769

The BBC Big Band has delighted radio listeners and concert audiences across the UK for many years with its precision, flair and unfailing sense of swing. Joining the band tonight, Elaine Delmar has long been established as a singer of the highest calibre. She has appeared in productions both in London's West End and on Broadway and her jazz work includes concerts with Stephanie Grappelli, Benny Carter and Herb Ellis. Martin Taylor, who's big band experiences go back to his teenage years when he jammed with the legendary Count Basie Orchestra will also be performing with the band and his appearance tonight is sure to set sparks flying. This performance will be broadcast live on Radio Two visit www.aberdeenjazzfestival.com for tickets, or call 01224 619769

Merging daring musical adventure with outstanding musicianship, hip-swaying electro grooves, sharp with and a touch of theatre, Trianglehead is one of the most exciting groups to appear on the UK jazz scene in recent years. Expect energy, mischief and a persuasive form of anarchy. visit www.aberdeenjazzfestival.com for tickets, or call 01224 619769