Presenting FLUX at the 2023 Edinburgh Jazz & Blues Festival
Edinburgh Jazz & Blues Festival presents FLUX, a series of gigs showcasing cutting-edge music that crosses the boundaries of jazz, hip-hop, funk, dub and more.
Prepare to party! After their sell-out gig at EJBF19, London Afrobeat Collective have taken their vibrant, groove-driven, floor-filling tunes to festivals across Europe. The nine-strong band are an incendiary live act who channel the spirit of the Afrobeat founder, Fela Kuti, Parliament Funkadelic and Frank Zappa to create bass-heavy rhythms and soaring melodies - guaranteed to get you grooving. Fri 14 Jul, 10:30pm | George Square Spiegeltent
Led by brilliant trombonist Liam Shortall, corto.alto are an incendiary band packed with talented musicians – a who’s who from the vibrant Glasgow jazz scene. Wherever they play, they deliver a unique blend of jazz, hip-hop, classic soul and drum and bass and they get dancefloors jumping. Trombonist and singer Anoushka Nanguy joins the band for this one-off gig – expect musical fireworks from some of the hottest players around. Sat 15 Jul, 10:30pm | George Square Spiegeltent
Elephant 9 is a musical monster. The Norwegian jazz rock trio play with strong echoes of Miles Davis’ electric period. Dazzling and daring, their music is undeniably compelling. Led by saxophonist Harry Weir, Blue Boar Brass are a brass band with a twist. Influenced by the Hypnotic Brass Ensemble and El Michels Affair, their set includes originals as well as covers of songs by Björk, Kanye West and System of a Down. Mon 17 Jul 8pm | La Belle Angele
A leading light from the ebullient London jazz scene, tuba sensation Theon Cross is redefining the instrument with a modern take on music firmly rooted in the traditions of jazz. He made waves with MOBO award-winning Sons of Kemet and now he’s striking out on his own, blending R’n’B, hip-hop and jazz to create an expressive and groove-inflected sound. Don’t miss this new star on the block as he makes his EJBF debut. Tue 18 Jul 8:30pm | George Square Spiegeltent
Melding West African highlife, disco, post-punk and psychedelic electro soul, Ibibio Sound Machine set dancefloors alight. The eight-piece band have taken their funky grooves, infectious rhythms, deep electronica synth beats to festivals across Europe and now they return to EJBF. Opening the concert, blending neo soul, hip-hop & R’n’B to thrilling effect, Mother All Mighty, channel Erykah Badu, D’Angelo, and Jorja Smith in a set of irresistible original music. Thu 20 Jul, 8pm | The Queen's Hall
Gyan Panesar & Friends deliver a heady brew of jazz, funk, hip-hop and soul. This sound is served up by well known faces from the Glasgow scene including Anoushka Nanguay (trombone & vocals). Daring and unpredictable, delivering killer live shows and serving up punk-funk-jazz mixed with kitsch psychedelia. Millhouse Collective are a collective of musicians from Dundee who have appeared live on Gilles Peterson’s Worldwide FM and were a hit at Kelburn Garden Party. Fri 21 Jul, 7:30pm | La Belle Angele
One of the hottest bands on the scene, Nubiyan Twist create a unique, infectious sound drawing on jazz, hip-hop, afrobeat, latin, soul, reggae and dance music. The 10 piece band have rocked festival stages from Glastonbury to Wilderness and Love Supreme with their sensational performances, featuring club rhythms from all over the world and across genres. Expect ultra-tight musicianship and a powerful sound from this brilliant, feel-good, dance-floor filling band. Sat 22 Jul, 11pm George Square Spiegeltent