Jazz on the edge
The first Northern Edge Jazz Festival swings into Aberdeen today, with a lineup featuring some of the world’s biggest names. Among them, legendary Scottish singer Carol Kidd, who chats to Susan Welsh about her forthcoming show
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THE old adage about every cloud having a silver lining is one that might ring true with north-east jazz fans.
While some were disappointed to learn American hip-hop star Guru Jazzmatazz had cancelled his appearance at the Aberdeen Performing Arts (APA) Northern Edge Jazz Festival, their sadness was shortlived on hearing his replacement was a giant in the jazz world, Glasgow’s own Carol Kidd.
The legendary singer stepped in to replace the man who first put hip hop and jazz together, and although sorry to hear he’d been in a car accident, revealed she was delighted at having been asked to step into the breach.
Carol will play a leading part in the city’s inaugural Northern Edge Jazz Festival, which runs from today until Sunday, and which is based at two APA venues, the Music Hall and the Lemon Tree.
“I am very excited about being asked to the Aberdeen jazz festival because, quite honestly, I can’t remember when I last played there,” said Carol from her home in Spain.
“I have a house in Glasgow and one in Spain and spend so much time flying between the two countries that I think I’ll meet myself coming back one of these days.
“But, despite playing lots of shows in Scotland, I think it must be at least four years since I played Aberdeen.
“I always have a great time there, which is why I’m really looking forward to it.”
Known in jazz circles since she was just 15 and affectionately nicknamed The Diva, Carol is in constant demand at music festivals throughout the world and is regularly compared to jazz vocal legends Ella Fitzgerald, Sarah Vaughan and Peggy Lee.
Frank Sinatra personally invited her to appear with him at Ibrox Stadium, Glasgow, and later wrote of her: “Carol Kidd is the best-kept secret of British Jazz.”
She has worked with everyone in Hollywood and Broadway including Tony Bennett, Ella Fitzgerald, Sarah Vaughan and Lena Horne and has recorded 18 albums.
Her latest, Dreamsville, released last November, showcased American Songbook favourites, alongside original material.
“I’m really chuffed because Dreamsville was named Best Album at the recent Scottish Jazz Awards,” said Carol.
“One reason I think it has done well is that, without sounding too cliched, it features classic songs, and they really don’t write them like that any more.
“It’s the type of music that will never die, and never date, which is why even young bucks like Jamie Cullum and Harry Connick jun refer back to it.”
Carol will be performing at the Lemon Tree Lounge at 7.30pm on Saturday, when the audience will be treated to live versions of Dreamsville tracks, new material and what Ms Kidd describes as “old favourites”.
Northern Edge is Aberdeen Performing Arts’ first jazz festival and it is hoped it will be an annual event, growing in size and stature in future years until it is one of the major fixtures on the jazz scene, not just in Scotland, but the UK.
Lemon Tree artistic director Ben Torrie said: “We have local, national and international performers of the very highest quality, who will present a hugely varied programme.
“Given the legion of enthusiastic and supportive jazz fans in the north-east, we are confident they will welcome and support the first Northern Edge Jazz Festival.
“It is our hope that the festival could become an annual event, growing in size and stature in future years until it is one of the major fixtures on the jazz scene, not just in Scotland but the UK.”
The programme includes performances from Acker Bilk, shows from YolanDa Brown, and Todd Gordon, who takes a new show to the Music Hall, complete with Marcus Pope’s 17-piece band and a wonderful take on songs from the three albums Frank Sinatra recorded with the great Count Basie Orchestra.
During the festival, there will be a special art exhibition at the Lemon Tree by award-winning artist Mary May. More usually seen singing jazz as a regular performer at The Lemon Tree Sunday lunchtime sessions, Mary has put together a show of portraits of jazz musicians who have influenced her work as a singer.
The full programme is: At the Lemon Tree Lounge – Acker Bilk, tonight, 7.30pm; YolanDa Brown, tomorrow night, 7.30pm; Tiny Mary, Sunday, 8pm. Lunchtime sessions at 1pm on Friday, Saturday and Sunday.
At the Music Hall – afternoon chillout, 2pm Friday and Saturday; The Sinatra-Basie Sessions Revisited by Todd Gordon and The Marcus Pope Orchestra, Sunday, 7.30pm.
