Meet the Music – Meet the City
Celebrate the final Festival weekend with non-stop jazz! Take part in our jazz trail around the city on Saturday 30 and Sunday 31 May, enjoying free concerts, jazz in cafes and ticketed concerts with Scotland’s legendary jazz musicians. Why not make a day of it?
Swingin’ Strings Jazz Workshop
SAT 30 MAY, 10:30, ST JOHN’S KIRK. £5.
Bridge the gap between Classical/ Folk and Jazz by loosening up your rhythm and learning to Swing! Through just three chords, you’ll learn a tune by ear and begin to improvise from scratch using techniques you already know and ‘licks’ you’ll learn on the day. A one-hour workshop for string players of all ages.
Perth & Kinross Big Band
SAT 30 MAY, 11:00, ST MATTHEW’S CHURCH. FREE ADMISSION.
Perth and Kinross Big Band is one of the most popular and vibrant ensembles in the local music community. Known for its energy, commitment and unmistakable team spirit, the band inspires young musicians year after year. Conductor, Iona Crosby, once played in the band as a pupil – a wonderful full-circle story that reflects the strong tradition and continuity at the ensemble’s heart.
Rhapsody in Blue – An Afternoon of Gershwin
SAT 30 MAY, 14:30, ST JOHN’S KIRK. £25 (Save £5 with a Saturday Jazz Pass!)
BBC Radio Scotland Young Jazz Musician winner Jazz/ classical crossover pianist Ben Shankland joins forces with Scottish Jazz Award-winning violinist/ vocalist/ arranger/ broadcaster Seonaid Aitken to present a celebration of George and Ira Gershwin’s music.
Jazz in the Cafe
SAT 30 MAY, 17:00-19:00, OSTERIA BAU-BAU. FREE ADMISSION.
In the first of our relaxed jazz events, start your evening with a glass in hand in the osteria Bau-Bau (St John’s Place), accompanied by jazz from local musicians including multi-instrumentalist and vocalist Kimberley Tessa (5pm) and Roberto Cassani with ZZ Bop (6pm). The contemporary Italian cafe is an artistic and social hub and is the perfect place to enjoy some excellent early evening jazz.
Martin Taylor
SAT 30 MAY, 19:30, THE SALUTATION HOTEL. £25 (Save £5 with a Saturday Jazz Pass!)
The virtuoso of fingerstyle jazz returns to the Festival with a celebration of timeless standards. Multi-award-winning guitarist Martin Taylor MBE has been described by Jeff Beck as “the best guitarist in the world” and by Pat Metheny as “one of the most awesome solo guitar players in history.”
History of Jazz Piano with Richard Michael
SUN 31 MAY, 14:00, PERTH ART GALLERY. £10 (Under 18s £5)
Join one of Scotland’s leading jazz musicians in a journey through some of the greatest jazz pianists of all time, as Richard Michael explains and demonstrates everything about the styles of Scott Joplin through to Herbie Hancock, passing Fats Waller and Count Basie on the way.
Jazz in the Wine Bar
SUN 31 MAY, 17:30-19:30, LA CAVE A VIN. FREE ADMISSION.
Our relaxed jazz events continue on Saunday 31 May with music by fabulous local musicians. In the perfect setting of La Cave à Vin wine bar (George Street), enjoy a drink accompanied by the talented Michael Ellacott on piano/ voice (5.30pm) followed by joyous, swinging music by Tayside Jazz Quintet from 6.30pm. This cosy, modern wine bar is the perfect setting for early evening jazz; a place for good conversation, great music and exceptional wine handpicked from around the world.
Colin Steele / Martin Kershaw Quintet
SUN 31 MAY, 15:30, THE SALUTATION HOTEL. £25 (Save £5 with a Sunday Jazz Pass!)
Two Scottish jazz titans, trumpeter Colin Steele (winner of Best Jazz Instrumentalist 2025) and saxophonist Martin Kershaw bring the sunshine sounds from the giants of the 1950s West Coast cool school to Perth!
Georgia Cécile
SUN 31 MAY, 19:30, THE SALUTATION HOTEL. £25 (Save £5 with a Sunday Jazz Pass!)
A UK jazz-soul voice delivering timeless, authentic music for a modern era. With a captivating blend of jazz and contemporary soul, Georgia Cécile stands at the forefront of the UK’s new wave of jazz artists. Crowned ‘UK Jazz Act of the Year’ and ‘Vocalist of the Year’ at the 2022 Jazz FM Awards, Georgia is at the forefront of the UK jazz renaissance.
