The 2012 Aberdeen Jazz Festival (14-18 March 2012) was officially launched today and is bound to thrill a wide range of music fans with over 20 performances covering most styles of jazz, including blues, hip-hop, soul, funk and big band Rat Pack swing.

Major international stars will appear alongside acclaimed Scottish talent in concerts at the iconic Blue Lamp, the stylish Carmelite Hotel and the popular Lemon Tree. There will also be a special free event in and around The Green in Aberdeen’s Merchant Quarter.

American saxophone star Chris Potter comes to Aberdeen after playing two dates at Ronnie Scott’s Club; the globetrotting musical phenomenon, the Hypnotic Brass Ensemble make their Festival debut; Scottish Queen of the Blues, Maggie Bell; the grand old man of English jazz Stan Tracey; along with Matthew Ford, Abraham Burton, Trio Elf, Skadne Krek and Preston Reed are just a few of the stars headlining this year’s event, which will feature more than 20 concerts in the five days from Wednesday 14th to Sunday 18th March.

Mario Caribe and Graeme Stephen spearhead the Scottish musicians taking part in the festival, along with Aberdeen names including Aberdeen Jazz Orchestra and Cindy Douglas. There will also be showcase performances from more than seven young Aberdeen groups.

Jazz on the Green, a major new initiative supported by Aberdeen BID, will be launched in the Merchant Quarter on the Saturday afternoon. The best in swing, dixieland, bop, funk, R&B, blues and vocals will be performed on various stages in the historic heart of the city.

Neil Gibbons, of Jazz Scotland, said: “We are excited to be able to bring major stars from America and Europe to perform for the fans in Aberdeen.  This is not just good news for local jazz fans but also benefits the city by attracting fans from around Europe.  The thrill of the festival is to not just to hear stars playing in local venues but also to hear new music from new bands and to bring the joy of jazz to new audiences. Every year there is so much more talent appearing on the scene and when I hear new young bands coming through, I know that this music is going to be alive, fresh and ready to excite new audiences for many years to come.

The Aberdeen Jazz Festival is presented by Jazz Scotland in association with Aberdeen International Youth Festival and is supported by Creative Scotland, Aberdeen City Council and Nexen Petroleum UK. The performances by Trio Elf and Skadne Krek are made possible by support from Aberdeen City Councils International Twinning Budget.

Festival tickets are available via 0845 111 0302 or from  http://www.aberdeenjazzfestival.com

(or via 44 131 467 3660 if calling from outside the UK)