The 2018 Aberdeen Jazz Festival increased the number of tickets sold by 20% with over 7,600 people attending the Festival.
Thanks to the support of main sponsor Aberdeen Inspired and funders Aberdeen City Council and Creative Scotland, the 2018 Festival presented 70 bands, 35 concerts In 24 venues over 11 days.
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The programme, which started on International Women’s Day featured some great female musicians including Americans Myra Melford and Camille Thurman, Mobo Award Winner Zoe Rahman, trumpeter Georgina Jackson and Seonaid Aitken with her tribute the to greatest jazz singer, ever, Ella Fitzgerald.
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For the Year of Young People the Festival presented concert by Aberdeen youth bands and a host of young players including Matt Carmichael, Hamlet, Helena Kay and Fergus McCreadie.
The Festival debuted a range of new initiatives including the Belmont Street Blues Afternoon, a Jazz Dinner Safari, the West End Jazz Trail and an Intoxicating Afternoon Jazz Tea.
The programme also featured many musicians from Aberdeen, including Marisha Addison, Melodie Fraser, Colin Black, Mary May, Morag McColl and Funk Connection. Other Scottish musicians were Colin Steele Quintet, Graeme Stephen River Band, Alison Affleck Copper Cats, Fat-Suit and two international collaborations: Spark Trio with US saxophonist Andy Middleton and Brian Kellock with another US saxophonist Scott Hamilton.
Jazz On The Green was blessed with dry weather and marvellous performances, attracting more than 3,000 people.
Neil Gibbons, Chair of Aberdeen Jazz Festival said: “The festival was a resounding success; the turnout really went beyond our expectations despite the worst the weather could throw at us and the bus strikes.”
Adrian Watson Chief Executive of Aberdeen Inspired said “We are absolutely delighted with the increase in attendance over the whole festival although we are not surprised with such a talented collection of local and international jazz musicians in Aberdeen. We are pleased our local businesses got behind the festival, with many hosting their very own performances. We look forward to seeing what next year brings and would urge those in the region and further afield to come and enjoy the fastest growing Jazz festival in the country.”
