The sounds of smooth soul, blistering funk, sultry blues and red-hot jazz filled the streets of Aberdeen yesterday during a popular celebration of music.
Musicians filled stages across nine venues for a whole day of performances as part of Jazz On The Green, the highlight of this year’s Aberdeen Jazz Festival.
The centrepiece stage attracted hundreds of visitors to enjoy tunes in the sunshine, beneath the spectacular NuArt mural, which adorns the outside of the indoor market.
Musicians – both local and from all across the country – also paraded their virtuosity at the rooftop garden above the Bon Accord Centre, Union Square, St Nicholas Street and the Belmont Filmhouse.
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Fiona Alexander, director of Jazz Scotland, said this year’s Jazz on the Green has been one of the best yet, despite challenges posed by poor weather.
She said: “We’ve faced some problems with the rain and wind. When we were first setting up in the morning, we weren’t even sure we would be able to have the outdoor stages, but we’ve been really lucky and had a lot of long sunny spells.
“There has been an absolutely fantastic turnout this year. I find it amazing that people are willing to brave the weather and come out to see all this open-air, live music – and I think that really reflects the excitement that people have for Jazz on the Green.”
Cindy Douglas, a singer of 13 years, performed songs by some of the great divas of jazz on a stage on St Nicholas Street.
The Stonehaven songstress said: “It was quite an experience – at least there wasn’t any snow. It’s good to hold these outdoor, public events to let people know what’s going on at the festival, and the only way to do that properly is to bring it to where they are.
“One of the best parts about Jazz on the Green is it features a lot of home-grown talent that we have got here in Aberdeen and Aberdeenshire, as well as artists from further afield.”
Saul Savage, 28, joined the crowds to watch live music at The Green.
He said: “This is the third year I’ve gone to Jazz on the Green and it’s brilliant.
“It’s ace to see so many people coming out and enjoying themselves.
“Aberdeen really needs more events such as this.”
