Brian Kellock – Edinburgh 21 July Photo credit: Louis de Carlo

The Jazz festivals in Glasgow and Edinburgh are something to look forward to, particularly for two LondonJazz News contributors Patrick Hadfield and Mark McKergow who live North of the border. They have both kindly sent us their pick of their most mouth-watering gigs. Readers are welcome to add theirs:

Glasgow Jazz Festival, 21-25 June

Mark has chosen:

Scottish National Jazz Orchestra pays tribute to the centenary of Buddy Rich by featuring drum maestro Alyn Cosker in which will undoubtedly be a high-octane occasion.  (RSNO Auditorium, 24 June)

Nikki Iles, Norma Winstone & Mark Lockheart Trio brings together top-class British talent in what will be a thoroughly musical yet adventurous performance. (Recital Room, 25 June)

Martin Taylor and Alison Burns summon up the spirit of Joe Pass and Ella Fitzgerald’s duo recordings, combining sensitivity and sheer swing. (Strathclyde Suite, 21 June)

Patrick has chosen:

Former Empirical trumpeter Jay Phelps’ Quartet (City of Music Studio, 21 June)

The Neil Cowley Trio who return to Glasgow on 22 June, bringing their spacious sound to St Luke’s.

SNJO-regular bassist Calum Gourlay commemorates the centenary of Monk in Thelonious 100, with Martin Speake (saxes), Hans Koller (trombone), and James Maddren (drums) on 25 June; they also play the Jazz Bar in Edinburgh on July 15 and 16.

LINK: Glasgow Jazz Festival website with full programme

The Edinburgh Jazz Festival has over 170 concerts over ten days, from 14 to 23 July

Patrick has gone for:

John Scofield Uberjam (featuring drummer Dennis Chambers) and Mike Stern & Randy Brecker Band open the festival with a bang with a double bill: two big guitarists on one bill at the Festival Theatre on 14 July.

Tommy Smith commemorates the fiftieth anniversay of John Coltrane’s death in a quartet with Calum Gourlay, Pete Johnstone (piano) and Sebastian de Krom (drums), playing Coltrane’s compositions and some new music inspired by him, at the Rose Theatre on 18 July.

The famous Miles Davis collaboration with arrangers Gil Evans and Gerry Mulligan, Birth Of The Cool, is brought to life in a band featuring Tom McNiven on trumpet and Helena Kay on saxophone at the George Sq Piccolo on 16 July.

Trumpeter Colin Steele brings his new quartet to the Rose Theatre on 17 July, playing music by the band Pearlfisher, with whom Steele played.

Mark has chosen:

Nashville-based vocalist and Prince protege Kandace Springs, consolidating on her breakthroughs in 2016, brings classy crossover style with a hint of Norah Jones as she binds soul-jazz atmosphere with a hint of pop and R&B.  (15 July, Spiegeltent West Princes Street Gardens, and 16 July, Spiegeltent George Square).

It’s a rare treat to see a trombone taking a leading role these days, so the appearance of US-based Two Bones is a double cause for celebration.  Miles Lyons and David L Harris evoke the spirit of the ’50s Blue Note adventures of JJ Johnson and Kai Winding. (17 July, Rose Theatre Basement).

Get right up to date with Binker & Moses, the sax-and-drums duo that’s setting London ablaze with their barrage of beats and breakouts.  Expect no-nonsense improvising with a touch of grime and garage from 2016’s Mobo Best Jazz Act winners. (22 July, George Square Piccolo).

And finally, visitors to Edinburgh should take care to catch veteran pianist Brian Kellock at least once. His spot with New York legends Jon Erik-Kellso, Scott Richardson and the EarRegulars (from the historic Ear Inn in Greenwich – bits fell off the B of the BAR sign, leaving EAR) promises to be a particularly memorable occasion. (17 July, George Square Piccolo).

LINK: Edinburgh Jazz Festival