Islay Jazz Festival Listings

Friday 11th September
 
Trygve Seim & Frode Halti / Laura Macdonald & Tom Bancroft
Celebrating Homecoming, Somerled, the Viking Lord of the Isles and Founder of the Clan Donald, we commission the top Norwegian saxophonist/composer and the top MacDonald. World Premiere!
5.30–6pm, Finlaggan, £5. 4.30pm - Guided walk around Finlaggan. Cost £2
 
Alan Barnes & Paul Harrison
Leading English saxophonist and top Scottish pianist play tunes by Duke Ellington and Thelonious Monk.
7.30–9pm, Ionad Chalium Chille Ile, £10 (£8)
 
The Source
International super band ranging from meditative improvising to tango, from folklore-inspired pieces to state of the art jazz. Atmospheric, melodic, and very special – the new faces of the legendary ECM label. First time in the UK.
8.30–10.30pm, Bruichladdich Hall, £10 (£8)
 
Subie Coleman & Kevin Mackenzie
Intimate and soulful vocals – laced with passion and brilliantly accompanied by guitarist.
9–10.30pm, Islay House, £8 (£6)
 
 
Saturday 12th September
 
Talk: Alan MacNiven & Arne Kruse
More Viking than you thought? The Scandinavian settlement on Islay. A talk by Islay/Norse specialists from University of Edinburgh’s School Of Scandinavian Studies.
10.00–11.00am, Ionad Chalium Chille Ile, Free
 
Alan Barnes /Bruce Adams Quintet
Mainstream jazz, swing to bop, with two of England’s finest swinging musicians and sharpest jazz wits: saxophonist, Barnes and trumpeter, Adams.
noon–2.30pm, Portnahaven Hall, £10 (£8) Plus the legendary, homebaking lunch
 
Niki King sings Billie Holiday      
King’s bluesy, smoky voice is the perfect vehicle to interpret the songs made famous by the most emotive of jazz singers: Billie Holiday.
4–6pm, Bunnahabhain Distillery, £10 (£8). 3pm - Distillery Tour. Please book in advance on 01496 640646
 
Trygve Seim & Frode Halti
The plangent cry of the saxophonist in duet with the accordion’s atmospheric timbre – an exploration of sounds and rhythms from folkloric to contemporary beats; from far north to deep south.
6.45–8pm, Ionad Chalium Chille Ile, £8 (£6)
 
Batchelors of Jazz
Great Traditional jazz night with Dave Batchelor’s Band, featuring trumpeter, Lennie Herd; clarinettist, Forrie Cairns and Alistair Macdonald on banjo and vocals.
8.30–10.30pm, Bruichladdich Hall, £10 (£8)
 
Laura Macdonald Sextet
World premiere of new suite commissioned from the saxophonist by Islay Jazz Festival and PRS Foundation. Beautiful tone poems overflowing with excitement and inventiveness.
9–11pm, Ionad Chalium Chille Ile, £10 (£8)
 
Sunday 13th September
 
Alfie's Raw Talent
Young collective emerging out of the current NYJOS hotbed, led by Jura's Alfie Perring (trumpet), with : Siobham Duncan (trumpet), Kirsty Duncan (tenor sax), Alanna McCuaig (piano), Brodie Jarvie (bass) and Stephen 'Hendo' Henderson (drums)
12.30–2pm, RSPB Centre, £7 (£5). 11:30am Birdwatching walk. Light lunches available.
 
Subie Coleman sings Esther Phillips
Arresting singer with hard hitting emotional punch pays homage to the great soul star Esther Phillips, with a jazz/soul Quintet.
12.30–2.30pm, Ardbeg Distillery, £10 (£8): Lunch menu available
 
Trio AAB
A seriously fun band exploring a whole range of influences – post Ornette bop, ECM jazz, Celtic folk, new beats. Tom Bancroft, Phil Bancroft and Kevin McKenzie.
4-5.30pm, Lagavulin Distillery, £8 (£6)
 
Perring, Edwards, Peters: Compound Fracture
Percussionist/guitarist, Giles Perring; Bassist, Simon Edwards and flute/
saxophonist, Finn Peters have a new band that draws on world, ambient and jazz music to create spacious melodies and improvisations.
6-7.30pm, Laphroaig Distillery, £8 (£6)
 
Alan Barnes/Phil Bancroft Band with special guest, Laura MacDonald and Sheena Swanson
Grand finale from saxophone stars whose virtuosity, warmth and humour make them the perfect final night hosts. Big swinging fun + a special set by Islay’s own vocal star, Sheena Swanson.
8.30–10.30pm, Machrie Hotel, £10 (£8)