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Jean-Paul Estiévenart


Trumpeter Jean-Paul Estiévenart is a highly sought after trumpeter on the Belgian and European scene and has played in many European ensembles including the European Youth Jazz orchestra. Jean-Paul believes in playing with seriously talented musicians from his own generation and for his own “piano less” trio he plays with double bass player Sam Gerstmans and the drummer Antoine Pierre. “Behind The Darkness is the second album for this trio, which puts everything on display, completely bluffing elements of tradition (hard-bop, Ornette Coleman, etc.) and perfectly integrating a new vision of writing: the album is perceived as a whole, but with the desire to incorporate several themes in the same composition. Solos are linked as if to tell a story and tracks are woven together to form movements such as the ones found in classical music, or acts like in a theatre production, with a variety of atmospheres which surprise the audience and demand an attentive ear.” – Belgian jazz portraits

17th January, 8pm at The Blue Lamp
Admission: £12, concession £10, students £5
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Becc Sanderson Sextet: Bows To Bowie


Created in 2014 by Becc Sanderson with her husband and collaborator Chris Greive, the Becc Sanderson Sextet is a living Real Book to the talents of this powerful Australian vocalist, and a perfect marriage of Sanderson’ mellifluous voice with Greive’s prodigious arranging talents. Becc Sanderson Sextet Bows to Bowie began all those years ago at the band’s inception, with “Life On Mars” being included in their original repertoire. It was always Sanderson and Greive’s intention to delve fully into Bowie’s work, and the loss of the great man in 2016 only inspired them more. The fascinating process of attempting to choose repertoire from an artist as prolific and diverse as Bowie was like digging for treasure, with a bonkers map drawn by one of the most quicksilver artists of the last century, plundering classic albums such as Heroes, Aladdin Sane, Scary Monsters, Ziggy Stardust, Let’s Dance and Hunky Dory for their extraordinary repertoire. And finally, on Sunday the 8th of April, a sell-out performance at The Jazz Bar in Edinburgh was recorded, with an unabashed celebration of one of the most inventive and mercurial artists to ever walk the planet and a truly emotional pilgrimage to all things Bowie put down for posterity. Featuring the creme de la creme of Scottish Jazz talent (Steve Hamilton on Piano, Tom Gordon on Drums, Martin Kershaw on Saxophones, Brodie Jarvie on Double Bass, and MD Chris Greive on Trombone), Becc Sanderson Sextet Bows to Bowie is a rare chance to see the CD performed from go to whoa, in its entirety. And as they are already planning to record another, don’t miss this opportunity to preview what comes next!
24th January, 8pm at The Blue Lamp
Admission: £12, concession £10, students £5
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Tom Bancroft’s ‘In Common’


This new project by Tom Bancroft starts with the bodhran and the tabla and a drone, adds Indian Classical Violin and improvising jazz guitar, and continues adding layers and voices from different traditions, in a creative new project that focuses on the common ground between Scottish music, jazz, Indian music and electronica. Strip away the surface features and jazz, electronica, Scottish traditional music and Indian classical music all share: • drone • groove & rhythm • collective and individual improvisation • melodies and scales/raags • vocal rhythmic patterns Sharat Srivastava (violin), Gyan Singh (tabla), Tom Bancroft (bodhran & drums), Graeme Stephen (guitar & loops), Sophie Bancroft (voice), Gina Rae (voice), Inge Thomson (voice & electronics).
31st January, 8pm at The Blue Lamp
Admission: £12, concession £10, students £5
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Laura MacDonald Quartet


Laura MacDonald Quartet plays The Great American Songbook Saxophonist Laura Macdonald presents an evening exploring the magical musical worlds of America’s legendary writers of show tunes, from Cole Porter and Howard Arlen to George Gershwin and Irving Berlin. Enjoy a memorable journey through this wonderful music, with a few twists and turns courtesy of one of the contemporary jazz scene’s finest saxophonists. Laura Macdonald is one of the U.K’s most prominent women in jazz. She began playing alto saxophone at the age of sixteen. In 1995 Laura was given a full scholarship to Berklee College of Music in Boston and graduated in 1997. Laura became the first winner of the Scottish Young Jazz Musician of the Year in 1997. In 1998, she became lead alto player in the Scottish National Jazz Orchestra. Laura has released 4 albums; ‘Laura’ – Spartacus records (2000), ‘Awakenings’ Spartacus Records (2003), ‘Open Book’ – Imogena Records (2008), ‘Duets’ – Niro Music (2014). 2005 saw Laura win a ‘Take Five’ initiative award funded by the Jerwood Foundation. Laura is a prominent composer being nominated twice for the Paul Hamlyn Composition Award and has been commissioned by Creative Scotland, Commonwealth Games, SNJO, London Jazz Festival, PRS, Edinburgh Jazz Festival, Jazz Scotland, The European Jazz Network and the National Youth Jazz Orchestra. Laura MacDonald – Alto Saxophone Steve Hamilton – piano Mario Caribe – Bass Dough Hough – Drums
7th February, 8pm at The Blue Lamp
Admission: £12, concession £10, students £5
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Georgia Cecile


Scottish vocalist and songwriter Georgia Cécile has been captivating audiences with her engaging delivery of sophisticated self-penned songs. Tipped as ‘One To Watch’ by BBC Introducing, ‘Best Vocalist’ finalist at the 2018 Scottish Jazz Awards, and showcased at BBC Radio Scotland’s ‘ Quay Sessions’, her ‘stock’ is on the rise. Working towards the release of her debut album in 2019, she has crafted some timeless original songs with award winning pianist Euan Stevenson, receiving acclaim from audience and critics alike. “Georgia is a refreshing new voice who delivers with class and style… ” BBC Radio Scotland “Powerful and soulful…” The Scotsman

14th February, 8pm at The Blue Lamp
Admission: £12, concession £10, students £5
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Brian Kellock Trio


Brian Kellock is widely celebrated as a unique and virtuosic piano talent across the world, by musicians and audiences alike. Equally at home with mainstream and contemporary jazz styles, Brian plays in the Oscar Peterson/ Monty Alexander mould, but with his own unique twist – drenched in emotion, energy, and humour. Born in 1962 in Edinburgh, Brian graduated with a BMus (Hons) from Edinburgh University in 1986. Since then, he has established his position as one of the top piano players on the UK jazz scene and throughout the world, touring with such luminaries as Red Rodney, Mark Murphy, Art Farmer, Charlie Rouse, Bill Watrous, Scott Hamilton, Tam White, Fionna Duncan, Stanley Turrentine, Herb Geller and many others. Brian’s breakthrough as a band leader came in 2002 when his album “Live at Henry’s” won Best Album at the BBC Jazz Awards. Jazz At The Blue Lamp is delighted to celebrate the 30th anniversary of this group with a rare live appearance, featuring original member Kenny Ellis alongside talented rising star, Max Popp. “…his adaptability and quick-thinking musicality again confirm him as a player who can command the world stage.” The Herald

21st February, 8pm at The Blue Lamp
Admission: £12, concession £10, students £5
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Strata


Named as one of Jazzwise Magazine’s “One to Watch in 2019” and nominated for both “Best Band” and “Best EP/Album” at this year’s Scottish Jazz Awards, Graham Costello’s STRATA blend stylistic elements of jazz, minimalism, and celebrated progressive/noise bands together with a strong DIY ethic, winning over audiences with towering dynamics and a raw and genuine enthusiasm. The music explores polyrhythm, collective groove and, at it’s true core, improvisation. As well as sell-out concerts and standing ovations at Scotland’s top jazz festivals, STRATA have ran their own monthly residency at Glasgow’s renowned independent venue Bloc. Here, they’ve continued to craft their sound and bring improvised music to new audiences since February 2017, forging a strong and unique connection between the jazz and independent/underground communities. February 2019 will see the release of their full length debut album “OBELISK” Liam Shortall – trombone Fergus McCreadie – piano Joe Williamson – guitar Mark Hendry – electric bass Graham Costello – drums and composition

28sth February, 8pm at The Blue Lamp
Admission: £12, concession £10, students £5
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Tommy Smith Youth Jazz Orchestra


It’s great to see the Tommy Smith Youth Jazz Orchestra return to The Blue Lamp in a concert that features a fantastic line up of young musicians, each showing endless talent, improvisational skills, exuberance and verve. The future for jazz in Scotland is assured as these gifted players, under the direction of Scotland's distinguished jazz musician, Tommy Smith play a varied repertoire ranging from classic jazz to present day big band charts. Bring family and friends to enjoy a wonderful evening of sizzling jazz as the TSYJO bring alive this music and pay tribute to some great jazz legends.

7th March, 8pm at The Blue Lamp
Admission: £12, concession £10, students £5
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