This year’s Edinburgh Jazz and Blues festival, that takes place 20-29 July, features an impressive line up of international jazz luminaries. Acclaimed US vocalist Kurt Elling (pictured) will join energetic 8-string guitarist Charlie Hunter (who plays both guitar and bass parts on one instrument) to play a blues and soul-inflected set in the Salon Elegance on 23 July. Star saxophonist, Joshua Redman, will be performing as a guest with maverick US group The Bad Plus in an exciting double bill, along with an opening set from fiery post-bop trumpeter Jeremy Pelt and his quintet (23 July, Queen’s Hall). The Bad Plus then play Teatro Spiegeltent the following evening. Edgy New York alto saxophonist Dave Binney will be teaming up with guitarist Graeme Stephen and the sax-led Maxime Bender 4tet, on a set of modern jazz originals (24 July, Bosco Theatre).

The festival’s international programme features musicians from Poland, such as vocalist Aga Zaryan (25 July, Salon Elegance) and Italy, represented by fine pianist Danilo Rea (20 July, Queen’s Hall). Collaborations also are a central part of this year’s festival with alto and soprano saxophonist Laura McDonald performing with Swedish vibist Mattias Stahl, while 21-year old Scots rising star saxophonist Ruaridh Pattison (who won Young Scottish Jazz Musician of the Year 2011) appears with a Norwegian quintet featuring trumpeter Thomas Husmo Litleskare and tenorist Harald Lassen. Visitors from Luxembourg, Germany and US also appear while local piano hero Dave Milligan will be performing with Italian musicians and guitarist Kevin Mackenzie performs with New York-based saxophonist Loren Stillman’s quartet.

There’s also a spotlight on Scottish talent, featuring popular mainstream pianist Brian Kellock (22 July, Teatro Spiegeltent) plus Breaking Ground, a series showcasing rising Scottish stars drummer Corrie Dick (27 July) and trumpeter Peter Johnstone (26 July) both playing at The Jazz Bar. The Edinburgh Jazz Festival Orchestra will perform the music of Gil Evans to mark his centenary this year with a performance of Sketches of Spain (25 July, Queen’s hall). And the World Jazz Orchestra draw the week’s proceedings to a rousing conclusion, with the large international ensemble set to perform the music of Duke Ellington (28 July, Festival Theatre).

For more info go to www.edinburghjazzfestival.com

– Lizy Exell

Check out this recent performance of 'The Joker' by Kurt Elling and Charlie Hunter trio from the North Sea Jazz festival: