The Black Bottle Islay Jazz Festival is a celebration of jazz and with sixteen events over the weekend of September 10-12, visitors and musicians will be able to enjoy a heady atmosphere where ozone and whisky mix with the best of the current vibrant Scottish jazz scene.
In a relatively short space of time - 2004 will be the sixth year the Black Bottle Islay Jazz Festival has become one of the most treasured institutions of the Scottish jazz scene.
Its existence has coincided with the unprecedented flourishing of Scottish jazz, and since its inception, it has championed what's new and exciting, offering an annual snapshot on the vigour and thrill alive in jazz in Scotland.
The sense of excitement and discovery which the visitor to Islay always feels as the weather and the landscape constantly change is balanced with the sense of old virtues - the warmth of welcome, the timeless beauty, the deep heritage of whisky production.
The Jazz Festival programme always aims to start afresh each year, and yet the traditions hold : concerts are spread across the island in the most inspiring and unusual situations - the RSPB Centre at Gruinart Bay; the filling shed of the Bunnahabhain Distillery; the great Estate house, Islay House; the Gaelic College; the Village Hall in Portnahaven; the lighthouse at Port Charlotte. Audiences take in the beaches, the extraordinary bird life, the beautiful walking country, and the seven distilleries.
They traverse the island's single track roads (it takes one hour to drive from one side of the island to the other) to catch concerts by bands playing swinging jazz in the style of the 20's and by musicians spontaneously creating at the cutting edge of contemporary jazz , by veterans of the scene and by musicians in their teens; by giants of international jazz and by musicians who have never performed outside Scotland. Thanks to Black Bottle, who have sponsored the Festival every year since it started, there's a welcoming dram at most concerts and a warm atmosphere whatever the weather.
This year is no different - there's a host of musicians (and doubtless audiences) making their Islay debuts, and a another host returning for another fix of the intoxicating and heady atmosphere. Newcomers will be New Orleans alto saxophonist, Jesse Davis; one of the most thrilling tenor saxophonists in New York, Donny McCaslin; the band of young Scottish lions called Les Ecossais, fronted by trumpeter Philip Cardwell and saxophonist, Theo Forrest; the saxophone/guitar duo of Susan McKenzie and Haftor Medboe; one of Europe's finest saxophonists, Julian Arguelles, and the newly formed Scottish Jazz All Stars, with Forrie Cairns, Fionna Duncan, Brian Kellock et al.
Islay favourites, 95 Proof are back with their late night blues and soul at the Ballygrant Inn on Friday 10th, with guest harmonica star, Fraser Spiers, and for the first time, singer, Sheena Swanson breaks out on her own, singing the songs made famous by Billie Holiday with a band that includes Paul Harrison, Mario Caribe and Brian Palmer.
The Scottish National Jazz Orchestra - under the direction of Tommy Smith - feature compositions by Thelonious Monk, with guest soloists Jesse Davis and Donny McCaslin - an intriguing prospect. Laura MacDonald presents her new Cole Porter programme and its also a welcome back to blues legend, Tam White; to acclaimed songstress, Cathie Rae, and to the young tenor titan, Konrad Wisniewski aims to reprise his burning session from last year when he plays what is bound to be a packed Islay House on Sunday 12th.
The Festival is a co-promotion between jazz specialists, Assembly Direct and local organisation, Islay Arts Association. Fiona Alexander of Assembly Direct said: "Once you have the Islay Jazz Festival in your system it's difficult to get it out. It's a magical mixture of nature and art, of good spirits and good music. We're indebted to Black Bottle for their continuing support. The wonderful taste of their Islay infused blend is now an integral part of the experience for everybody."
Fraser Thornton, Sales and Marketing Director for Burn Stewart Distillers Ltd said : "Black Bottle Scotch Whisky is delighted and proud to be once again sponsoring the Islay Jazz Festival which has proven to be a huge success on the international jazz scene, allowing jazz enthusiasts to "discover the heart of Islay" on this beautiful Hebridean island renowned for its whisky heritage".
Audiences can buy weekend tickets at £40, with tickets for individual performances available from £5, by telephone from Assembly Direct on 0131 467 5200, or on the island at the Celtic Craft Shop, Bowmore 01496 810262.
