Scottish musicians take to the stage at the 2005 London Jazz Festival

Two of Scotland’s leading jazz artists will join musicians from around the world this week (11-20 November), for a 10-day celebration of music making at the 2005 London Jazz Festival.

Now in its thirteenth year, this year’s festival boasts more jazz in more venues than ever before and will include performances from Courtney Pine, McCoy Tyner and the World Saxophone Quartet and Gilles Peterson.  There will also be a wide range of activities taking place throughout the event including special shows for young people, writing projects and music workshops.

Supported by funding from the Scottish Arts Council, jazz bassist and father of one of Scotland’s best known jazz families Ronnie Rae Snr and saxophonist and composer Laura MacDonald will perform on the Festival Freestage, which will host a number of free jazz performances during the festival. 

Ronnie Rae Snr began his career in 1965, broadcasting and recording with the Alex Welsh Band and has performed around the globe with some of the world’s top jazz musicians including; Ben Webster, Eddie Lockjaw Davies, Lee Konitz and Spike Robinson.  On Saturday 12 November Ronnie will lead a five piece line-up presenting his latest project ‘From the Cradle to the Groove’.  The performance will be broadcast live on Radio 3 as part of the Jazz Line-Up Live programme. 

Commenting on his forthcoming performance at this year’s festival, Ronnie Rae Snr said:  “I am proud to be representing the Scottish jazz contingent at this year's London Jazz festival. It's an ideal opportunity for me to promote my new CD, the recording of which was funded by the Scottish Arts Council. I'm grateful for the Scottish Arts Council's continuing support.”

Scottish saxophonist and composer Laura MacDonald who has worked with a number of legendary jazz artists including Cleo Laine and Johnny Dankworth, will take to the stage on Wednesday 16 November to lead a band of the brightest talent from the Royal Academy of Music jazz course in special arrangements and compositions.

Commenting on her upcoming performance, Laura MacDonald said:  “This year’s high point will definitely be playing as part of the London Jazz Festival.  It is my first performance at this festival and something that I have been aspiring to be involved in for years.  It is a great opportunity for me to bring my new Octet to London and work with some new talented musicians.”

Ian Smith, Head of Music at the Scottish Arts Council added:  “I am delighted that we are able to provide support to Europe’s premier jazz festival. In Ronnie Rae and Laura MacDonald we have two artists, who represent the very best in Scottish jazz. Ronnie is one of those “unsung heroes” of the profession, whose work is now receiving long overdue recognition. Laura represents a new generation of artists of whom we are very proud and her collaboration with students from the Royal Academy of Music will, with Ronnie’s performance, be one of the highlights of the Festival.”

Notes to editors

1. The Scottish Arts Council champions and sustains the arts for Scotland, investing over £60 million from Scottish Executive and National Lottery funding to support and develop artistic excellence and creativity throughout Scotland. More information at: www.scottisharts.org.uk.
2. For more information and details of the events taking place at the 2005 London Jazz Festival, visit www.serious.org.uk.

Contact email(s)

media.office@scottisharts.org.uk

Issued by: Scottish Arts Council