Mardi Gras: July 26^th, 2008 – Edinburgh Jazz and Blues Festival

The last Saturday in July  finds this reviewer habitually absorbing the sounds (and this year the sun) of the Mardi Gras in the Grassmarket. There was the usual variety of choice on offer. This year I was drawn to the blues groups as well as the more traditionally sounding bands.

The Syncopators from Melbourne, with the standard 7 piece Dixieland band line up, have a great feel for  Louis Armstrong and Duke Ellington numbers as well as highly entertaining performances of Ray Charles ‘I gotta a woman’ and The Kinks ‘Sunny Afternoon’.

Next I moved on to the Lyndon Anderson Band, a 4 piece band with the main man providing powerful vocals and a deep, earthy sound to his harmonica playing – really solid driving blues. Rounding off the afternoon, were the three piece blues rock band Blue Hyenas. Lead guitarist, Sandy Tweedale, was in dynamic form and the band’s extended tribute to Bo Diddley received a fun response from the crowd.

A thoroughly enjoyable afternoon’s entertainment – and all for free! The Jazz and Blues seems to be going from strength to strength. Internationally known acts such as Buddy Greco and Little Feat appear as well as Scottish artists, including the highly talented young saxophonists Paul Towndrow and Konrad Wiszniewski. There is definitely something to suit every jazz and blues fan from the big band to the solo performer.