SIMPLY THE MOST COVERAGE OF THE BIGGEST FESTIVAL
It gives us great pleasure to announce what coverage of the world's largest arts festival ThreeWeeks will be providing this August. There's an awful lot of it, so hold your breath, and here we go.

MORE REVIEWS THAN ANYONE ELSE
The ThreeWeeks review team is in place for 2009, and boy are they good. Once again this is by far the biggest review team at the Edinburgh Festival (with 80 on the team this year), meaning once again we will review hundreds more shows than any other media at the festival. Last year we saw 1725 shows. How many will we get to this year? Watch this space.

AND A WHOLE LOT MORE...
In addition to the 1700+ reviews we will publish this August, ThreeWeeks will also guide you through the biggest, most exciting, most eclectic and most confusing of festivals with a wide range of previews, interviews and exclusive columns.

PREVIEWS
While our review team is the newest and freshest at the festival each year, our editorial team includes some of the most experienced journalists at the Fringe, and it's their knowledge and insights that feed our previews, which can be read right now in the ThreeWeeks Preview Edition 2009, available from venues, cafes and bars across central Edinburgh right now! Or check out the digital version here.

INTERVIEWS
If you'd rather hear performers describe their shows in their own words, look out for the hundreds of interviews with Fringe performers we will publish this year. Twenty of our reviewers also double up as Fringe reporters, who between shows can be found chatting to top festival talent to get the inside line on their projects. The ThreeWeeks editors also do their fair share of chatting to Fringe talent, while the ThreeWeeks podcast team get their conversations with festival people on tape, so you can download them to your iPod and tune in at your leisure. And on top of all that there's the traditional ThreeWeeks Quick Quiz, answered by hundreds of performers every single year.

EXCLUSIVE COLUMNS
And as if that wasn't enough, and frankly it would be, we invite some of our very favourite Fringe acts to write for the paper. Look out for exclusive columns this year by Brendon Burns, Hardeep Singh Kohli, Ian Kendall, News Revue, Rosa, Miles Jupp, Philberto, Craig Hill and Marcel Lucont, plus Luke Wright reviewing the reviews and Chris Cox chatting to his fellow magical types. And many many more!

But, I hear you ask, this all sounds lovely, but where the flip do I access it all?
Well, take your pick...

THE WEEKLY EDITION
The Daddy of all ThreeWeeks media, our full colour, full fat, full of fun tabloid newspaper, published every Tuesday in August and available, for free, from pretty much every Fringe venue, plus bars and cafes across central Edinburgh, and The Hub. The first (out now!) is our preview guide to the festival, with the following three (out on 11, 18 and 25 August) packed with reviews, interviews and exclusive columns. Pick up your free copy, or browse the digital version or download a PDF at www.ThreeWeeks.co.uk.

THE DAILY EDITION
For the very latest reviews and show recommendations you need to check the daily edition, out every evening from Friday 7 to Thursday 27 August. This simple reviews sheet goes, hot off the press, to key venues in central Edinburgh every single day, seven days a week. Pick up your free copy, or download a PDF at www.ThreeWeeks.co.uk.

THE THREEWEEKS EDAILY
Well, as they say, 25,000 people can't be wrong. They do say that don't they? Every single day of the festival this eDaily will land in your in-box packed with the latest news, some Quick Quiz interviews, plus loads and loads and loads of reviews. Every single review we publish (did we mention there were 1725 last year?) will appear in an eDaily. Tell all your friends to sign up! They just need to email edinburghsubscribe@threeweeks.co.uk

THE THREEWEEKS IDAILY
New for 2009! Our new podcast magazine. Available to download every weekday and packed with interviews, features, reviews, chat and maybe a little bit of song. Keep an eye on the eDaily for details on how to download or subscribe to the podcast.

THREEWEEKS TWITTIQUES
New for 2009! Show tips via Twitter, with 140 character 'twittiques' of recommended shows based on ThreeWeeks reviews. Follow us now - www.twitter.com/twittique

THE THREEWEEKS RADIO SHOW
Back by popular demand! Well, there was that one person who said in passing they missed it last year. Yes, ThreeWeeks has teamed up with Fresh Air to present some special editions of the ThreeWeeks Radio Show. Watch this space for details of the what and the when, meanwhile check out www.freshair.org.uk for details of how to tune in.

IFRINGE - REVIEWS TO YOUR IPHONE
Not wanting to ignore any media device, ThreeWeeks has signed up to iFringe, the exciting new Fringe guide for your iPhone. Wherever you may be at this here festival, if you have your iPhone with you, and the iFringe app installed, you'll know everything there is to know about what is happened, where you're standing, in the vicinity, and all over the city. And not only that, you'll be able to access ThreeWeeks reviews! Hurrah. Go to www.ifringe.co.uk for details.

WWW.THREEWEEKS.CO.UK
And finally, but by no means least, don't forget www.ThreeWeeks.co.uk - the biggest Edinburgh Festival website. Every review, every preview, every interview, every column, every podcast, every single bit of it all will land here online for your viewing pleasure. New content will be going live every day from now, so keep it bookmarked or, for content updates, follow us on Twitter - www.twitter.com/threeweeks

And that, ladies and gentlemen, is what you can expect from ThreeWeeks this year. Simply the best coverage of the simply the biggest festival.

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ThreeWeeks is simply the biggest reviewer at the Edinburgh Festival, with more coverage seen by more people in more places. And in a city covered in paper, our's are the paper products people actually seek out.

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Want something extra special? Email ads@unlimitedmedia.co.uk with details on your ad budget, and we'll do you a special deal to suit your needs. Or check the full rate card here.

EXTRA SPECIAL OFFER FOR FREE SHOWS - £40 FOR 3 ADS
If your show is free we will sell you a classified ad package – so a classified box ad (51mm x 53mm) in the remaining 3 editions of the ThreeWeeks weekly edition – for just £40. Email ads@unlimitedmedia.co.uk asap to take advantage of this deal.

JAZZ FESTIVAL REVIEWS

Brian Kellock Trio warming up for the Roy Hargrove Quintet
Edinburgh Jazz & Blues Festival
This four song warm-up set started the festival off with a bang. Kellock himself has a magisterial aura and didn’t take long to find his groove, though Kenny Ellis on bass and Stu Richie on drums were a little slower out of the blocks. In fact, it wasn’t until the final song of the set that Ellis really shone, and Richie didn’t ever get a good bite at it; at one point he seemed to seize up totally in the middle of a solo. The trio did their job, though, and, drawing on the songbook of Clifford Brown and Horace Silver, brought the house to whoops and cheers by the end. It was the perfect taster for the sizzling Roy Hargrove Quintet set to follow.
The Hub, 31 Jul, 8.30pm (10.45pm), £19.50 (£16.00), jbfpp 11.
tw rating 3/5
[tb]

Roy Hargrove Quintet
Edinburgh Jazz & Blues Festival
There’s a lot of character among these five guys; including a saxophonist with bounce, a pianist with irresistible cheek (to match his glittering dinner scarf, he wore a full-on kilt), and Hargrove himself, who dresses and moves like a musician in command, of himself and his band. They were professional outfit with many signs of true class, though the quintet did seem content to simply run through their songs, enjoying it, and loving the crowd, but not really letting go. Possibly it would have been easier to generate a freer atmosphere had they appeared later in the festival. But, despite this, the outfit has a lot going on, and it was a pleasure to hear the true tone of Hargrove’s trumpet, and a band really in their swing.
The Hub, 31 Jul, 8.30pm (10.45pm), £19.50 (£16.00), jbfpp 11.
tw rating 4/5
[tb]

Makoto Ozone and No Name Horses
Edinburgh Jazz & Blues Festival
Makoto is a calm and confident showman who is not only the pianist, but also the band leader and conductor as well. In this afternoon gig, he and the No Name Horses got the audience clapping and shouting by the end they deserved their standing ovation. They played from their soon-to-be-released album ‘Jungle’ that explores Latin American jazz. The gig started with just the rhythm section, then the 12 brass players made a spectacular entry from the back of the auditorium making animal sounds. Full of fun, life and exploration, the set included compositions from the lead saxophonist, the lead trombonist and the lead trumpeter. This Japanese big band are creating some good songs and developing a unique rhythmic identity.
The Hub, 1 Aug, 2.00pm (4.00pm), £10.00, jbfpp 12.
tw rating 4/5
[tb]

Alyn Cosker Trio
Edinburgh Jazz & Blues Festival
Scottish drummer and band leader Alyn Cosker returns to the Edinburgh Jazz & Blues Festival, this year alongside guitarist David Dunsmuir and bass player Ross Hamilton. Playing tunes from Cosker’s debut album, ‘Lyn's Une’, the trio indulge in a brand of electric jazz fusion with some heavy doses of funk thrown in. The musicianship of Hamilton and Dunsmuir is impressive, particularly their melodic interplay during the slower pieces, however, the strongest performance in this trio comes from Cosker himself. Soloing several times during both of the band's sets, his ability to dictate rhythm while experimenting with his own sound was a delight to watch – and rightly drew the loudest applause from the audience.
The Lot, 31 Jul, 9.00pm (11.00pm), £9.00, jbfpp 11.
tw rating 3/5
[db]

Sinne Eeg
Edinburgh Jazz & Blues Festival
A Danish conservatoire teacher who has dueted with Curtis Stigers, the svelte Ms Eeg comes off, in her debut Scottish performance, as a sort of Dionne Warwick, coaxing her phrases and never embellishing her melodies excessively. Her set was a mix of Cole Porter, sultry Danish Eurovision entries and her own English-language compositions about boyfriends in China. Eeg and an adept rhythm section created intimacy in the large auditorium, which complemented their irrefutable musical senses. Solo passages were sometimes overlong, but their melodies were generally strong, especially in the triplet-laden ‘Better Rhan Anything’, and scat and syncopation were used to create as much drama between the notes as did the notes themselves. A pleasure for both connoisseur and the casual jazz fan.
The Hub, 31 Jul, 8.30pm (10.30pm), £12.50, jbfpp 11.
tw rating 3/5
[jb]

Joe Acheson Quartet
Edinburgh Jazz & Blues Festival
With excellent support coming from the very tight, structurally abstract free jazz three-piece Newt, the Joe Acheson Quartet were formidable at creating layered cinematic sonicscapes, which meshed together arrays of samples, creeping build ups and dissipated breakbeats. The music was accompanied by a series of filmic collages that structurally aided the performance and anchored the quartet. Their set mainly comprised fluid creations based upon instrumental hiphop, synchronized triphop funk rhythms, and lush atmospheric backgrounds. This came from two sets of keys, skulking bass grooves and light strings at the back of the dimly lit stage. It was a beautifully sculpted organic procession of highly impressive creations from a very promising and already essential Edinburgh-based quartet.
Voodoo Rooms, 31 Jul, 9.00pm (11.15pm), £8.00, jbfpp 11.
tw rating 4/5
[ab]

Mardi Gras
Edinburgh Jazz & Blues Festival
There's surely nothing quite like a Mardi Gras to kick off the Festival, and it was even dressed in the Edinburgh sun. Hordes of frolickers amassed on the Grassmarket to enjoy the communal spirit of an afternoon packed with bands, each playing on one of four open air stages. There was quite a mix of music, from Lisa Mills' soulful alt-country, to parade bands, to the well appreciated groove-heavy blues of Tam White and the Sermon Organ Trio. On his return to the Grassmarket, his childhood home, Tam White dominated the lower stage and was the clear favourite for most of the crowd. The Edinburgh Samba School's cheery rhythms and infectious revelry, nicely complimented the onlookers' drinking and dancing, with or without their gaudy headdresses, feathers, flowers and all.
Grassmarket, 1 Aug, 1.00pm, free, jbfpp p.
tw rating: 3/5
[ab]

My Funny Valentine
Edinburgh Jazz & Blues Festival
The life of trumpeter Chet Baker, with the face of an angel but a devil of a speedball habit, is told through Mike Maran’s dramatic monologue, which paints Chet as a victim of longing in both his music and his life. Acclaimed trumpeter Colin Steele conveyed Chet's hopefulness in his renditions with a ‘soft and low’ style. The listener is told of Chet’s European cross-country drives looking for the next gig or the next drug, as well as his stints in jail. Dark comedy mingles with the tale’s moralistic seriousness; especially foreboding is the tale of a pianist friend who died young and whose shadow is cast throughout the show. Never lulling, one leaves desperate to delve more fully into Baker’s, and Steele’s, repertoires.
Bosco, 1 Aug, 8.00pm (10.00pm), £10, jbfpp 12.
tw rating: 4/5
[jb]

Phil Mason's New Orleans All Stars + Tricia BouttÈ Band
Edinburgh Jazz & Blues Festival
Do the most traditional forms of jazz, played rather unoriginally and without any real passion, constitute entertainment on a Saturday night? Well, for a given demographic, perhaps. Opening act, Tricia BouttÈ Band, played covers from the jazz canon which, mainly due to the band's strict adherence to the standards, left this reviewer longing to listen to the originals rather than the inferior copies on offer. The main act of the evening, Phil Mason's New Orleans All Stars, employed a similar lacklustre style, which failed to lift my spirits after the dull opening act.  The evening certainly appealed to resident geriatrics; though with neither bands showing any noticeable originality or passion for their music, I left woefully disappointed by the evening's performances.
Jamhouse, 1 Aug, 7.30pm (9.30pm), £12.50, jbfpp 12.
tw rating: 2/5
[db]

Doky/Johansen/Ozone/Smith
Edinburgh Jazz & Blues Festival
Four outstanding musicians came together for a night that proved both memorable and heartening. It opened with a clamorous version of saxophonist Tommy Smith's 'Ever Never Land' from his 1988 album 'Step By Step', though the real highlights were pianist Makoto Ozone's slow and sweet number 'Where Do We Go From Here?' and bassist Chris Minh Doky's steaming, downbeat composition 'Certified'. Occasionally the improvised passages of Smith and Ozone tried too hard to hit the open country of expansive, high pitched note-holding, and this gave the audience the impression they'd run out of ideas. But there was so much excitement and exploration going on around the band, and the crowd, that it had little negative effect and in the final song, 'Coffee And Scrambled Eggs', they took it down.
The Hub, 1 Aug, 8.30pm (10.30pm), £14.00, jbfpp 12.
tw rating: 3/5
[tb]

The Thing
Edinburgh Jazz & Blues Festival
Three muscley, Scandinavian men – Vikings – with short hair appeared. They could have been squaddies. What followed certainly looked like a battle – for their souls. The Thing wrestled their instruments into producing an enthralling cacophony, pulsing with energy. This jazz borrows from punk and metal and includes random shouts of pain and squeals of feedback - amazingly from the saxophones, which make noises no sax should. Drummer Nilssen-Love looked increasingly frustrated that his arms were moving, bassist Flaten seemed tortured by his strings and saxophonist Gustafsson went bright red as air was squeezed from his body. It was like someone was forcing them to play as a punishment. Maybe a spiteful Spirit of Jazz. Punk-jazz may be an unholy alliance, but it's diabolically enchanting.
The Lot, 2 Aug, 9.00pm (11.00pm), £ 12.50, jbfpp 13.
tw rating 4/5
[rtw]

Courtney Pine – Tradition In Transition
Edinburgh Jazz & Blues Festival
Playing a set partly inspired by early jazz sax pioneer Sidney Bechet, and fusing elements of Afro-Caribbean and ethnic music, Courtney Pine demonstrated the virtuosity and chops that have kept him at the forefront of UK jazz for over two decades. He was joined on stage by impeccable musicians including Omar Puerte, Robert Mitchell and Darren Taylor, all of whom proved their skills in solo vignettes. Amid these fluid harmonious extensions and Pine's spirited, expressionistic abstractions, the ethos of 'Tradition In Transition' was a rich spectacle. It was enfused, more than anything, with the idea that improvisation and artistic creation transcend all cultural boundaries and oppositions. Such a masterfully played, eclectic set was a vibrant celebration, and greatly enjoyable.
Queen's Hall, 2 Aug, 8pm, £19.50, jbfpp 13.
tw rating: 4/5
[ab]

Grassmarket Sunday Market
Edinburgh Jazz & Blues Festival
Wandering between market stalls at the Grassmarket on a sunny Sunday in Edinburgh is a pleasant enough experience in itself. Throw in good open-air jazz performances and a few drinks from one of the many outlets lining the market's perimeter, and a joyous carnival atmosphere is created. The three acts on display were situated under a central marquee and, despite my natural pessimism over the Scottish weather, music was played all afternoon without any shoppers needing to run for cover. I was particularly impressed by the young Norwegian orchestra, KBB Big Band. Showcasing a diverse set, including a charming rendition of Chick Corea's 'Spain', their free performance would have been a treat for a paying audience.
Grassmarket, 2 Aug, 1.00pm (5.00pm), free, jbfpp 9.
tw rating: 4/5
[db]

Ryan Kisor Quintet
Edinburgh Jazz & Blues Festival
Set in the dimly lit ballroom of the elegant Voodoo Rooms, the relatively small audience was treated to a succession of knockout performances by this energetic New York group. Although the band didn't perform strongly during the first part of the set, the overall quality of their repertoire by far outweighed the early nerves. Choosing the best individual performance is difficult, as each solo seemed to outplay the last and culminated in one of the best instrumental versions of Chet Baker's 'My Funny Valentine' I have ever witnessed. Band leader and trumpeter, Ryan Kisor, delivered a powerful and moving sound to the end, demonstrating exactly why he is such a highly acclaimed performer.
Voodoo Rooms, 2 Aug, 8.00pm (10.20pm), £10.00, jbfpp 13.
tw rating: 4/5
[db]

Dick Hyman Piano Legends with Chris Hopkins and Bernd Lhotzky
Edinburgh Jazz And Blues Festival
The beautiful Hub created a perfect atmosphere for this evening of sensational jazz. Piano legend Dick Hyman stole the show with an opening solo that genuinely brought warmth to the soul. Then, with the addition of German pianist Bernd Lhotzky, things moved up a gear as the duo performed perfect harmony; the audience seemed awe-struck by their moments of impeccable unison. The final piano legend of the evening was Chris Hopkins, who brought humour and charm to the delightfully upbeat number that closed the first half. The second set proved as faultless as the first, and the trio's communication with was delightful to see. In their encore, ‘Two Sleepy Men’, they drifted the crowd away on a bed soft, delightful notes.
The Hub, 2 Aug, 8.30pm (10:30pm), £20.00, jbfpp 13.
tw rating 4/5
[klc]

Jazz On A Summer's Day
Edinburgh Jazz And Blues Festival
If holding an open air event in Edinburgh is to tempt fate, staging a gig optimistically called 'Jazz On A Summers Day' is really pushing your luck. Fortunately, though, the rain held off, allowing the grass-lounging audience to enjoy four hours of jazz in the (intermittent) sunshine. Highlights were the frenetic Latin jazz of 'No Name Horses' and some deliciously smooth swing from 'Mike Hart's Society Syncopators', though there were a few snoozable acts between these high points. But while dark clouds and angry gods lurked menacingly above Edinburgh Castle for a lot of the afternoon, the crowd (and this reviewer) were served up plenty of reasons to stay and enjoy the show.
Ross Theatre, Princes Street Gardens, 2 Aug, 1.00pm (5.30pm), free, jbfpp 9.
tw rating 3/5
[tl]

No Name Horses At Jazz On A Summer's Day
Edinburgh Jazz And Blues Festival
They came all the way from Japan and were definitely one of the top acts at the Jazz On A Summer's Day event. This big band is blessed with a superb selection of talent, not least pianist Makoto Ozone and lead trumpeter Eric Miyashiro. Their ferocious brand of Latin jazz throws you in the air with a sudden shift in tempo, then catches you gently with a well crafted solo. True, they were occasionally over indulgent to individual musicians and lost the pace of a few songs with a solo too far, but despite that, they put on a virtuosic, energetic, and hugely entertaining show.
Ross Theatre, Princes Street Gardens, 2 Aug, 2.00pm (2.30pm), free, jbfpp 9.
tw rating: 4/5
[tl]

Dwayne Dopsie & The Zydeco Hellraisers
Edinburgh Jazz And Blues Festival
At midnight on the night of a full moon, so I've heard, a musician can meet the Devil at a crossroads and strike a Faustian bargain for inhuman musical skill. Should this legend be true, then I fear for Dwayne Dopsie's immortal soul. His infernal skill on the accordion was at the centre of this storming blues gig, and with his slick showmanship and the band's superb ensemble numbers, the show couldn't be faulted. They were let down by both the venue, which was all seated, and an audience that seemed sedated – I felt ditching the seats would have helped energise the lukewarm crowd. But in the face of these obstacles, the band played a triumphant set, led by Dopsie's earthy vocals and truly fiendish accordion playing. Someone better call a priest.
Jamhouse, 2 Aug, 8.00pm (10.30pm), £15, jbfpp 13.
tw rating: 4/5
[tl]

Gospel Concert With Tricia Boutte
Edinburgh Jazz And Blues Festival
One couldn’t help but a feel a little fleeced upon arriving at what was advertised as a gospel ‘concert’ only to discover a full-blown religious service. Initial frustrations were soothed once the music began though, and Boutte held the audience rapt. Her idiosyncratic style, however, did sometimes make the music sound a little too embellished, and it didn't really manage to convey the piety that makes gospel so special. The audience participation numbers made a quaint spectacle; the seniors didn't really generate an evangelical atmosphere at St Cuthbert’s Church, but everyone was on their feet enjoying it by the end. Avid fans of gospel may have been left wanting more, but it would be hard to have more fun in a church than listening to Tricia Boutte.
St Cuthbert’s Church, 2 Aug, 6.00pm (7.00pm), free, jbfpp 13.
tw rating 3/5
[ac]

Joe Temperley Quartet with guest Carl Majeau
Edinburgh Jazz And Blues Festival
Temperley was accompanied by a masterful rhythm section that included pianist Brian Kellock and drummer Alyn Cosker, but throughout the show the 79-year-old's baritone sax stayed in command with consummate ease. He'd brought Carl Majeau from across the pond. Carl won the 'Essentially Ellington' competition Templerley ran in the US, and the young man from Seattle impressed on tenor sax and clarinet (maybe selling a few tickets for his own gig the next day in the process). But Temperley was the star of this performance, showing the full range of his skill and experience. He played with a New York flavour, but also echoed his Scottish roots; as a soloist he was calm and precise, and as band leader he was generous and deferential. You can't deny; these oldies can sway!
The Hub, 3 Aug, 6.00pm (7.30pm), £12.50, jbffp 14.
tw rating: 5/5
[tb]

Phil Bancroft’s Home, Small As The World
Edinburgh Jazz And Blues Festival
Exploring the concept of ‘home’ through jazz is a formidable task; and concepts such as ‘earth’ and ‘nationalism’ can also be difficult to convey through the medium of improvised music. But a bit of multimedia enabled this band to communicate such specific ideas successfully, although at times they created a curious juxtaposition of literal imagery against the music’s necessarily abstract essence. The ensemble performed with zeal and displayed a spectacle of extended techniques and extempore virtuosity, as each shone individually. The effect as a whole, however, was where the focus remained; a world of kaleidoscopic, liquid beauty in which the audience found themselves immersed was tremendously stimulating. Thankfully, Bancroft’s blithe repartee kept this show firmly this side of sophomoric art nouveau, while at the same time making an important contribution.
Bosco, 3 Aug, 8.00pm, £12.00, jbfpp 14.
tw rating 4/5
[ac]

Jacques Loussier Trio
Edinburgh Jazz And Blues Festival
The masterful French pianist, Jacques Loussier struck the jazz equivalent of gold when he began performing reworked versions of JS Bach's canon. Without losing any of the beauty of the underlying scores, Loussier improvises in the jazz tradition with a freshness equivalent to that heard on his first performances of the pieces fifty years ago. Loussier is unlike many long-standing artists, who forget to recite the works which brought them to fame, and did not disappoint those who came to his concert hoping to hear his finest adaptations, such as his brilliant Bach's 'Air'.  We were lucky to witness his remarkable style and virtuosity, complemented, as it was, by outstanding performances from Benoit Dunoyer De Segonzac on bass, and Andre Arpino on drums.
Queen's Hall, 3 Aug, 8.00pm (10.00pm), £22.50 - £27.50, jbfpp 14.
tw rating: 5/5
[db]

Stanton Moore Trio
Edinburgh Jazz And Blues Festival
Drummer Stanton Moore had too much fun leading his Trio through their new work and other favourites from his native New Orleans. He's the dynamic centre of the three, and bursts up like a violent mountain spring. His upbeat jazz flows around the room and floods the bubbling crowd with the swell of the rhythm, but after every swell, comes the ebb. Though parts of the set had the room bobbing, they only ever had a light hold, meaning the crowd's enthusiasm slipped away time and again. Nevertheless, there were enough swells to keep sweeping us back up, into the currents of their rock-infused jazz. I'm not much of a mover, but the Trio got me bouncing in minutes.
The Voodoo Rooms, 3 Aug, 9.00pm (10.45pm), £12.00, jbfpp 14.
tw rating 3/5
[rtw]

Les Doigts De L'Homme
Edinburgh Jazz And Blues Festival
We got an entertaining show from these four string-strumming Frenchmen. Although they sounded a little fractured at first, they easily hit their stride two songs in. Lead guitarist Olivier Kikteff displayed exceptional dexterity and bassist Tanguy Blum was full of character. Les Doigts interact expressively and have the potential to cast a new path in their enthralling modern manouche style. In this performance, however, their larking about was too overt. They got the audience participating but then came across a little rude by ignoring them. Their puerile antics were capped by claiming drunkenness at the start of the second set then muddling their haunting song 'La Place Du Mort'. They're set-up for great things, but their live performances still have a distance to go.
Bosco, 4 Aug, 8.00pm (10.15pm), £10.00, jbfpp 15.
tw rating 3/5
[tb]

Blues Night
Edinburgh Jazz And Blues Festival
For those who tap their toes to reliable V-IV-I chord progressions, this two-header was a treat. Missing Cat, a foursome that includes a genuflecting harmonica player-cum-vocalist and an adept slide guitarist, peddled sweat-soaked standards - including a pulsating version of ‘Boom Boom’ - alongside original compositions that harked back to the golden age of Delta Blues. The Blue Hyenas excellently gelled complex organ parts with Claptonesque guitar wailing, and had the crowd on their feet by the end of their set with tunes about whiskey and girls that were given to a Booker T-meets-Cream musical setting. The highlight, however, was a Name That Riff medley which borrowed from Hendrix, Holly and Diddley and succinctly summed up the power of this great American art form.
Minto, 4 Aug, 8.00pm (10.15pm), £8.50, jbfpp15.
tw rating: 4/5
[jb]

The Carl Majeau Quartet
Edinburgh Jazz And Blues Festival
Fresh from supporting Joe Temperley, hot new talent and winner of the Jazz at Lincoln/Wynton Marsalis American Youth Jazz competition Carl Majeau led his own Quartet on a stately procession through the history of the tenor saxophone. It was a technically very accomplished performance but there wasn’t much more; the quartet's performance of the song 'Body and Soul' showed plenty of body to their sound, but Majeau didn’t show much soul until the very end, something which was mirrored in the set generally, his clarinet encore being vastly superior to the sax pieces that preceded it. These youngsters sounded good, but their mish-mash of dress styles didn't help, and their lack of cohesion was keenly felt. A technically assured performance, but there was no passion here.
The Lot, 4 Aug, 9.00pm (11.25pm), £8.50, jbfpp 15.
tw rating 3/5
[rtw]

Ken Mathieson Classic Jazz Orchestra With Guest Alan Barnes
Edinburgh Jazz And Blues Festival
Bringing a little old-world charm to what is a rather voguish festival, this nine-piece outfit delighted young and old alike in celebration of the music of Benny Carter. Alan Barnes made a wonderful addition to the ensemble; while his scintillating chromaticism may not have rendered his portrayal of Carter’s role the most authentic, he delivered it with sufficient panache to lend the music something fresh. But Barnes was only one quarter of a deft sax section and the others certainly kept him on his toes in numbers such as ‘Honeysuckle Rose’. Ken Mathieson’s arrangements were innovative, if occasionally unbalanced, but the band’s remarkably tight playing more than compensated for this. Indeed, fault was hard to find in this winning presentation.
The Hub, 4 Aug, 6.00pm (7.30pm), £12.00, jbfpp 15.
tw rating 4/5
[ac]

REVIEWERS: Ajantha Chandrasena [ac], Alistair Bagley [ab], Daniel Bjelis [db], Jonathan Brick [jb], Kate Clarkson [klc], Richard T Watson [rtw], Tim Leach [tl], Tom Bragg [tb].

Look out for more Jazz Festival reviews in the next few days of the ThreeWeeks eDaily.

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