KENNY MATHIESON selects five outstanding events from the Nairn Jazz Festival programme.

KEN PEPLOWSKI QUARTET with JESSE DAVIS
Conference Centre, Newton Hotel
Sunday 3 August, 8pm
American clarinettist and saxophonist Ken Peplowski is a Nairn regular, but is joined in this concert by a newcomer to the festival, alto saxophonist Jesse Davis. That promises to be an intoxicating combination, spurred on by an excellent rhythm section featuring Ben Aronov (piano), Dave Green (bass) and Steve Brown (drums). Peplowski also leads his quartet at the Knockomie Hotel, Forres (Monday 4 August, 1pm), and links up the Jay Leonhart Trio at Brodie Countryfare (Monday 4 August, 8pm).
 

JAMIE CULLUM TRIO
Conference Centre, Newton Hotel
Tuesday 5 August, 8pm
Singer and pianist Jamie Cullum is currently the hottest sensation on the British jazz scene, having signed a million pound recording deal after a bidding war between Universal and Sony. The personable 23 year old has been likened to everybody from Nat King Cole to Harry Connick. Grab this chance to catch him while you can, and see what the fuss is all about. Bassist Geoff Gascoyne and drummer Sebastiaan de Krom lend their considerable support.
 

JUNIOR MANCE TRIO
Conference Centre, Newton Hotel
Wednesday 6 August, 8pm
Junior Mance is a seasoned jazz veteran with a track record which includes stints with artists like Cannonball Adderley and Dizzy Gillespie, as well as a solid record as a soloist and leader in his own right. The Chicago-born maestro is joined by Andrew Cleyndert (bass) and Steve Brown (drums) for this very welcome return visit to the festival.

WARREN VACHE ALL-STAR SEPTET
Conference Centre, Newton Hotel
Thursday 7 August, 8pm
Trumpet and cornet player Warren Vache leads a stellar septet which includes a second outing for saxophonist Jesse Davis, John Allred on trombone, Jay Leonhart on bass, and our own Brian Kellock on piano (Brian also has his own show at the Newton Hotel on Wednesday 6 August at 1pm). The opening set will feature a duo performance from two of the festival’s main guests, trombonist Wycliffe Gordon and pianist Eric Reed.
 

ERIC REED TRIO
Conference Centre, Newton Hotel
Saturday August, 8pm
The last of Eric Reed’s three appearances in the festival provides a showcase for the pianist in a classic trio setting, with his own rhythm team of David Wong (bass) and Obed Calvaire (drums). Reed is an alumnus of various of Wynton Marsalis’s bands, and is carving out a highly impressive solo career. Catch him solo on Thursday 7 August at 1pm in the Newton Hotel, and also with fellow Marsalis-alumni Wycliffe Gordon on Thursday (see above).
 

The Nairn Jazz Festival runs from 3-9 August (tickets and enquires 01309 674221).
 

Related Links

• Nairn Jazz Festival