The 13th Lagavulin Islay Jazz Festival takes place from 16-18 September, 2011.

Since its commencement, the Festival has presented an uncompromisingly high quality artistic programme – a showcase of everything that is new and exciting in the Scottish jazz scene, with some very special international guests.

The music is presented in the most unusual and atmospheric surrounds – from bird sanctuaries to distilleries – against the beautiful backdrop of the most southerly island in the Hebrides.

There are world premieres; international visitors; some tough contemporary jazz; a couple of classic singers; some great piano trios; and some get-down funky music. The atmosphere will be recorded and broadcast courtesy of the BBC and by our own recording team.

One of Europe’s major vocal stars, Viktoria Tolstoy visits Islay for the first time. Highly musical, and exuding charisma, she’ll sing her own special arrangements of many great standards along with interpretations of pop tunes.

The Festival features the world premiere of Tom Bancroft ‘s Red Trio with English piano star, Tom Cawley, and Norwegian bass sensation Mats Eilertson, while Brian Kellock and Jacob Karlzon front two piano trios at different edges of the jazz spectrum

The sensational brass quartet, Brass Jaw, play two concerts. mixing magnificent musicality with humour and an unbridled imagination.

Subie Coleman fronts the late night jazz/soul dance at Bowmore Hall with Philadephia and New York tipped raw soul grooves, while Otis Grand and Sandy Tweeddale deliver exceptional vintage driving-blues. Mario Caribe fronts two bands new to the Festival – one focusing on the music of his homeland: Brazil, the other an all-star homage to the Jazz Crusaders.

Islay can be a magical place at all times. From September 16-18, the island has an extra dimension to its allure, and its one that sets off some extraordinarily creative reactions.

Listeners get a choice of music throughout the weekend. They can mix and match, creating their own odyssey of concerts and places. Decisions may be made according to the appeal of a specific musician, but they might equally be made by scheduling of a distillery visit, a seafood lunch, a walk on a beach or a birdwatching trip.

Headline sponsor, Lagavulin, is one of Scotland’s “essential” distilleries, and a place of pilgrimage for many adorers of this quintessential Islay malt, for which demand heavily exceeds supply.

Here on the south-eastern edge of Islay, the distillery works its magic on a cramped, chaotic, wildly romantic site by the sea, looking across a small tight bay to the ruins of Dunyvaig Castle, a 13th century base of The Lords of the Isles.

Whisky has been made here legally since 1816, and illicitly for centuries before that. Concerts are held in the acoustically splendid Malt Mill, itself a reminder of that now defunct single malt

Fiona Alexander, Director of promoters, Jazz Scotland, pointed out that “ the magic of the Jazz Festival in Islay is partly created by Lagavulin. Without their funding, we would not be able to present so much high quality jazz ; and without their whisky, audiences and musicians would not react to the Festival with the same high spirits”

Nick Morgan, for Lagavulin, says “The Jazz Festival is a great advertisement for Islay and a great advertisement for Lagavulin. The brand is really at the heart of the festival, with its strong personality, big heritage and plenty of intensity. Not a bad analogy for jazz.”

The Festival is co-promoted by jazz specialists, Assembly Direct, and the island’s premier arts promoters, The Islay Arts Association. Stuart Todd, Chair of the Association, and the man who set the ball rolling in getting the Jazz Festival started, is still amazed at the way the Festival has taken off.

“People are smitten with the combination of nature and art, and the sense of community which is central to the experience of living in Islay and which can be shared even on a weekend visit. ”

Islay Jazz Festival website

Programme Listings:

Friday 16th September,

Viktoria Tolstoy

One of Europe’s major singing stars, Tolstoy sounds totally natural and yet exudes charisma and star quality. She sings jazz standards, takes rock and folk tunes into jazz settings and balances art and enjoyment in a wonderful tension. Her highly musical band features Jacob Karlzon (piano), Mattias Svensson (bass), Rasmus Kihlberg (drums).

7.30-9pm, Lagavulin Distillery, £12.

Otis Grand/Sandy Tweeddale Band, introduced by Sheena Swanson

From West CoastR’n’B to Big City Blues, guitarist, Otis Grand has been the leading light of classic blues playing for the last twenty years. Voted best British blues guitarist for seven consecutive years, he’s a giant of the blues. Another lover of historical blues styles is Blues‘n’Trouble singer/guitarist, Sandy Tweeddale, and here they are together raising the roof

8pm, Bruichladdich Hall, £12

Brass Jaw

Three saxophones and a trumpet.  One of the most distinctive sounds in the current jazz scene. Smart, catchy tunes, fuelled by passionate blowing and magnificent musicality. They swing, groove and have a lot of fun. Ryan Quigley (trumpet), Paul Towndrow, Konrad Wiszniewski and Allon Beauvoisin  (saxophones)

8pm, Ionad Chalium Chille Ile, £10

Tom Bancroft Trio Red

Drummer, Tom Bancroft’s trio features English pianist, Tom Cawley, and Norwegian bassist, Mats Eilertsen. Expect fiery solos, melodic tunes from whispers to roars, some great chemistry creating state of the art modern jazz.

9.30-11pm, Lagavulin Distillery, £10

Saturday 17th September

Boteco Trio

Mario Caribe fronts a new trio exploring the music of his native Brazil: rhythmic sambas, languid Bossa Novas songs and bouncy Baiões. Plying the Nylon Strung Guitar, Cavaquinho and bass, he is joined by Stuart Brown playing Brazillian percussion and Brian Molley on horns.

noon, Lagavulin Distillery, £10

Brass Jaw

Second outing for the fantastic brass quartet. There’s constant melodic, harmonic and rhythmic interest – swinging and funky – with tight arrangements, catchy tunes, and terrific soloing.

noon, Outback Gallery, £8

Viktoria Tolstoy

A magnetic and captivating singer, whose soaring vocals are caressing one minute, ecstatic the next. “A voice as clear as glass, simply wonderful” (TAZ).

4pm, Rhinns Hall, £10

Tom Cawley solo, Mackenzie, Caribe, Bancroft Trio

A solo set from pianist Tom Cawley ranging from blistering energy to gentle whimsy – Fantastic, fluent and romantic” (Time Out). Kevin Mackenzie’s attractive, original tunes are peppered with intriguing twists and meticulous lyricism as he debuts a new trio featuring Mario Caribe and Tom Bancroft.

7pm, Lagavulin Distillery, £10

Brian Kellock Trio

A rare opportunity to hear the great piano trio present their thundering takes on the history of jazz piano from Oscar Petrson to Lennie Tristano; from Duke Ellington to Cecil Taylor . Kellock’s mercurial playing is rooted in brilliant pianism, deep jazz knowledge and a love of exciting audiences with surprise and humour. With Kenny Ellis (bass and Alyn Cosker (drums).

8pm, Ionad Chalium Chille Ile, £10

Subie Coleman Band

Soul/jazz diva, Coleman whips up a storm of Philadelphia and New York tipped raw soul vibes. Driven by the powerful groove machines of Allen Mckeown and Paul Harrison, this is music for partying and having a good time.. Grab your dancing shoes.

9.30pm, Venue 5, Bowmore Hall, £10

Sunday 18th September

Konrad Wiszniewski Quartet, Brian Palmer Trio

Jazz at full throttle as saxophonist Wiszniewski, backed by Brian Kellock on piano, plays great standards and romantic ballads, plus, hopefully, some of Konrad’s attractive tunes. Drummer, Brian Palmer’s Trio with Mario Caribe and Paul Harrison play a short opening set.

noon, Ardbeg Distillery, £10.

Subie Coleman Duo

Hear Subie in laid back mode – measured, but ebullient, delivering the nuance of every lyric. Her voice is rich and smoky, heard to best effect in this pared down setting with Mackenzie or McKeown on guitar.

noon, RSPB Centre, £8.  11am birdwatching walk.

Jacob Karlzon Trio

One of the most celebrated pianists on today’s European jazz scene can be percussive, intense, and exciting, yet capable of soft beauty and great lyricism. He blew us all away last time he was in Islay. Now with a Swedish trio, expect musical sparks.

3.30-5pm, Ionad Chalium Chille Ile, £10

Graeme Stephen and Fraser Fifield

An intriguing meeting between guitarist Graeme Stephen and piper / whistle player / saxophonist Fraser Fifield conjure beautiful and beguiling sounds from their jazz and traditional roots.

5.30pm, Laphroaig Distillery, £8

Mario Caribe Jazz Crusaders Timemachine

A thrilling end to the Festival – Mario has assembled an all-star band to recreate the unmistakable sounds of The Crusaders – from hardbop to funk. The band features John Burgess (saxophone), Chris Grieve (trombone), Neil Warden (guitar), Paul Harrison (keys), Mario Caribe (bass) and Stuart Brown (drums).

8.30pm, Bruichladdich Hall, £12

Source: Jazz Scotland