Edinburgh Jazz & Blues Festival: SPARK

The Edinburgh Jazz & Blues Festival is proud to present SPARK: Jazz from the Netherlands, the festival’s flagship international showcase celebrating the creativity, innovation, and global influence of Dutch jazz. SPARK: Jazz from the Netherlands is funded by the Performing Arts Fund NL and the Scottish Government’s EXPO Fund and delivered in partnership with injazz / Buma Cultuur and the Embassy of the Kingdom of the Netherlands in the United Kingdom. No less than six Dutch artists are performing.

Friday 17 July

6.00 – 7.00pm: Evan and Carolina’s Super Duper Group & Fun – The Jazz Bar
A quartet led by singer Carolina Gemmell and pianist Evan van der Feen. They perform both original repertoire and jazz standards with a playful, open spirit creating a world that is dreamy and inventive.

Saturday 18 July

2.30 – 3.30pm: Harmen Fraanje – St. Mark’s Episcopal Church, Portobello
A jazz pianist and composer with a unique voice in contemporary improvisational music. In his playing, jazz, classical harmony, and world music blend organically, making the beautiful surroundings of St Mark’s Church the perfect setting for this solo concert.
Read our interview with Harmen Fraanje.

4.30 – 5.30pm: Dutch Jazz Talk – St. Bride’s Centre
Music writer Henning Bolte explores the Dutch jazz scene, uncovering fascinating connections between Scotland and The Netherlands.

6.00 – 7.30pm: Hogenhuis & Van Ruller – St. Bride’s Centre
In this very special concert, guitarist and Dutch jazz legend Jesse van Ruller pairs with rising star saxophonist Maarten Hogenhuis, balancing melodic elegance with adventurous improvisation.

Sunday 19 July

8.30 – 10.30pm: Peter Somuah Group – St. Bride’s Centre
A rare opportunity to hear one of Europe’s most compelling emerging talents live in Edinburgh. Peter Somuah is a trumpeter of striking imagination and depth, blending modern jazz with the pulse of highlife.

Monday 20 July

6 – 7pm: Mooren | Watson | Herberholz | Irons – The Jazz Bar
A special collaboration between rising star Dutch saxophonist Femke Mooren and some of the leading lights of the next generation of Scottish jazz, Ali Watson, Simon Herberholz and Greg Irons.
Read our short interview with Femke Mooren.

Tuesday 21 July

6 – 7pm: Ponga – The Jazz Bar
A band that thrives on the possibilities of free improvisation, which is at the core of everything they play. The trio switch between percussive, melodic, and harmonic roles, resulting in eclectic performances that encompass rock, jazz and classical music.