Press release: Glasgow Jazz Festival starts today

The landmark 40th edition of Glasgow Jazz Festival swings into life today, bringing over 40 performances involving 220 musicians to 19 venues across the city.

Glasgow’s longest-running festival will strike up on stages right throughout the city, kicking off five extraordinary days of live music.

Running until Sunday 14 June, the festival marks almost four decades of jazz with a celebration of the past, present and future that is set to hit all the right notes.

 

With 175 Scottish musicians performing and 63% of acts containing at least one female or gender-marginalised artist, the festival is passionate about nurturing homegrown talent and gender equity within the Scottish music scene.

 

Tonight will see Italian soul-jazz icon Mario Biondi open the festival in style, with a 20-year career at the heart of the international jazz scene making him the perfect artist to usher in this milestone year.

 

Sharing the opening night spotlight is incredible young talent Roan Anderson, winner of the BBC Radio Scotland Young Jazz Musician 2025 award, who collects his performance prize tonight when he takes to the stage at Drygate with his band Tao.

 

Headlining this year's festival is groundbreaking saxophonist Courtney Pine, who will appear at Saint Luke's, while legendary guitarist Martin Taylor, who performed at the very first Glasgow Jazz Festival in 1987, makes a welcome return with a special show at Òran Mór.

The festival returns to its spiritual home, the Old Fruitmarket, for two landmark events. On Saturday 13 June, a vibrant Homegrown Showcase presents some of the most exciting new voices in Scottish jazz, including SAY Award Winners Kai Reesu, nu-jazz vocalist Gaïa, Glasgow artist Pippa Blundell and contemporary jazz group Sekoya.

The following night, the New Jazzwegians project, which champions artists that have made Glasgow their home, expands as part of the Glasgow 2026 Commonwealth Games Festival. Jazz collective Azamiah, Nathan Somevi Trio, Japanese-Scottish bandleader Sonedo and singer-songwriter Unoma Okudo will all be taking to the stage.

 

Meanwhile, trumpeter and composer Colin Steele, another alumnus of that inaugural edition, performs at the City Hall's Recital Rooms with his quintet for two sold-out shows honouring the centenary of Miles Davis, whose own connection to the festival stretches back to his legendary 1990 performance for Glasgow's year as City of Culture.

 

Mercury Prize-shortlisted pianist Fergus McCreadie presents his bold new commission Flight Pass at the Mackintosh Church, and beloved Scottish acts including Mama Terra, vocalist Ali Affleck with Queens of Swing, and acclaimed vocalist Marianne McGregor performing the Amy Winehouse Songbook round out an extraordinary week. 

 

International prowess continues with South African seven-piece BCUC bringing their extraordinary blend of indigenous funk, hip-hop consciousness and punk rock energy to Òran Mór, while Melbourne-born multi-instrumentalist Audrey Powne makes a highly anticipated Scottish appearance.

 

Guitarist Ben MacDonald hosts the returning free Late Night Jam Sessions at Nice n Sleazy, giving musicians of all levels the chance to connect, collaborate and improvise into the night.

 

Beyond the music, Street Level Photoworks is hosting William Ellis’ One LP exhibition in association with the festival. The unique and critically acclaimed photography project showcases portraits of internationally renowned jazz musicians, such as Gregory Porter, holding records that hold great importance to them. The exhibition explores how inspirational albums can be and the impact they have on people’s lives. Elsewhere, a sold-out children's workshop will see little ones uncover the wonderful world of jazz.

 

Jill Rodger, Director of Glasgow Jazz Festival, said: "Almost forty years ago, Glasgow Jazz Festival opened its doors with a bold ambition – to bring the world's greatest music to this city and build something lasting. Today, as we open our 40th edition and return to the Old Fruitmarket where so much of that story has been written, we're doing exactly what we've always done: celebrating jazz in all its forms and sharing it with audiences who love it as much as we do. Here’s to a joyful week of jazz!”

Gaïa, who performs as part of Saturday’s Homegrown Showcase, said: “Glasgow not only has such a strong sense of community, but has such a strong music scene, especially in jazz. There are so many talented people in a small area, it is such a joy to be able to collaborate and grow alongside them. I am so gassed to be on this line up, I feel really privileged to be showcased alongside so many amazing bands, many of which I have worked with and known for many years. It’s so amazing that so many of us come from the same scene, but have all grown in different ways with our own projects. It’s just so cool to see everyone doing their thing!”

Founded in 1987, Glasgow Jazz Festival has welcomed icons including Miles Davis, Sarah Vaughan, Dizzy Gillespie and Tony Bennett to Glasgow's stages, cementing the city's status as a UNESCO City of Music and building a legacy that continues to grow with every edition.

Glasgow Jazz Festival 2026 is supported by Creative Scotland and the Glasgow 2026 Commonwealth Games Festival Fund, as well as sponsors Second Line Records, SM Lighting Scotland Ltd and ESP Music Rentals.

The festival runs until Sunday 14 June. For the full programme and tickets visit www.jazzfest.co.uk.