This stylish basement bar is Edinburgh's coolest, multiple award-winning, year-round live music venue, with a crammed programme of multi-genre music and Fringe shows running all day, every day, from 13:00 – 05:00. As well as all the independent Fringe shows hosted by the venue, you’ll hear the bar’s excellent music, with great jazz, funk, acoustic, blues and rocky sounds – and bar service to 05:00 nightly! 

Official Fringe sell-out 2024. It's the year 1954. Ella Fitzgerald, Etta James and Eartha Kitt are all at the dizzy heights of their careers. With swinging jazz, powerful soul and cheeky kitsch, these women broke new ground for all who followed. Award-winning singer/actor Melissa Western and her musicians pay tribute to this magnificent era in music and inspiring trio of pioneering singers. 50s style abounds. 'Western is a force of nature... Great storyteller, feisty, highly enjoyable' ***** (BroadwayBaby.com). 'Absolutely brilliant… Her aptitude for music is vast and versatile'  ***** (ThreeWeeks). 'Oozes with charisma' ***** (Edinburgh-Reviews.co.uk).

1954: Ella, Etta, Eartha

'Fantastic!' (Jools Holland). 'Boogie-woogie slide-guitar master' **** (Scotsman). 'The Fringe's most unique, inventive and soulful blues performer, a fantastic gig' **** (BroadwayBaby.com). Hunt's 13th Fringe following 12 years of full-house performances. 'Blues legend built his own cannibalised, recycled guitars from a B&Q shelf and papier-mache' **** (Herald). 'Instantly evocative of the deep south blues. Unique R'n'B take on Sinatra alongside a James Bond mash-up. Whatever Hunt plays, it feels refreshingly authentic' **** (List). 'Ingenious 21st-century blues' **** (ThreeWeeks). 'Like Seasick Steve in a science lab, a storming set' (Ian Rankin).

13th Year! John Hunt Four O'Clock Afternoon Blues and Swing

An unmissable, exclusive performance from legendary Russian-American trumpeter and Jazz Messengers alumnus, Valery Ponomarev, who dramatically escaped 70s USSR and toured the world with Art Blakey and The Jazz Messengers for four years, recording 11 albums! Joined by an all-star international band, this elite quintet celebrates one of jazz’s most influential institutions, recreating their timeless music once more for the 32nd year! This is the jazz event of the Fringe!

32 Years: Valery Ponomarev – The Jazz Messenger

Acclaimed Edinburgh singer-songwriter Lorna Reid, and band of Scotland's finest jazz and blues musicians perform classic jazz and songs from Lorna's new self-penned album I Will Tell Your Story. Perfect pre-dinner show. A firm favourite at the Edinburgh Festival Fringe with full houses last year at The Jazz Bar, the city's only dedicated jazz venue. Influences include: Ella Fitzgerald, Diana Krall and Melody Gardot, and smoothly crosses genres jazz, blues, soul and latin. 'Fabulous repertoire from easy listening to hot vintage swing' (BBC Radio Scotland).

I Will Tell Your Story

Fresh from supporting the legendary Bill Bailey on tour, the Jennifer Ewan Band bring us their stirring and richly-layered mix of compelling original songs, Louisiana blues and old-time Cajun dance music with a Celtic tint. Jennifer’s distinctive Scots voice soars over the Bayou grooves supported by an intricate interplay of accordion, flute, acoustic guitar, bass and percussion. 'Jennifer is a Scottish rising star' (Janice Forsyth Show, BBC). ‘A sassy cocktail of Cajun and modern sounds’ (Metro). 'Reminds me of one of the best songwriters I’ve ever known' (James Allan, Glasvegas).

Bonnie Bayou

Debuting at this year’s Edinburgh Fringe is another ambitious show from master arranger, Mike Kearney and his 7-piece ‘funk colossus’ and Fringe stalwarts – The Katet. Sing along to world-class arrangements of the top of the pops, reinvented for a modern audience with a jazz-funk twist, in this charismatic and high-octane performance by award-winning Edinburgh session musicians with over a decade of Fringe experience. Get transported back to the glory days of the 90s with non-stop mashups of Oasis, Blur, Radiohead, Take That, Seal, Green Day and many more... What were you listening to in 1995?

The Katet vs. 1995

Two nights only! Award-winning Ali, Scotland’s ‘Queen of vintage jazz’ (OC Weekly), presents a special programme – a carefully crafted selection of Lady Day's best-loved songs (including some of Billie's own favourites). 'Affleck is not a household name yet – but I think she soon will be' (BBC Radio Scotland). Best Jazz Vocalist 2014 and nominee 2017-20 (Scottish Jazz Awards). ‘A musical storyteller’ (Scotsman). 'Astounding vocals' ***** (San Diego Union-Tribune). 'Outstanding' ***** (Edinburgh49.org). ‘Vivacious stage presence’ (Herald). Sell-out show in 2018 and 2019, so early booking is advised.

Ali Affleck Presents: Billie Holiday – Sophisticated Lady

Returning to this year’s Edinburgh Festival Fringe is the hugely popular show from 'Northern Ireland's answer to Stevie Wonder' – Maestro Mike Kearney and his 7-piece ‘funk colossus’ and Fringe stalwarts – the Katet. Sing along to world-class arrangements of classic hits, reworked and re-energized for a modern audience with non-stop mashups and surprises, in a charismatic and high-octane performance by award-winning Edinburgh session musicians with over a decade of Fringe experience. Expect all your favourites, from Superstition, Sir Duke and Signed, Sealed, Delivered to I Wish and Isn’t She Lovely. Everybody loves Stevie!

The Katet vs. Stevie Wonder

Rediscover the golden age of swing jazz: Carmen McRae, Ella Fitzgerald, Dinah Washington, Anita O'Day, Maxine Sullivan, Peggy Lee. Award-winning Ali pays fiery homage to these trailblazing and musically vital women with her acclaimed band. Scotland’s ‘...Queen of Vintage Jazz’ (OC Weekly). 'The real deal' (Clive Anderson). ‘Stunningly expressive... Astounding vocals’ ***** (San Diego Union-Tribune). ‘Musical storyteller’ (Scotsman). 'No other singer can deliver this material with such authenticity and so swingingly' (BBC Radio Scotland). ‘Vivacious stage presence’ (Herald). 'Outstanding' ***** (Edinburgh 49). Early booking advised!

Ali Affleck's Queens of Swing

Forget 'party like Gatsby'... this is the real deal! A fresh new show featuring an international band of women who play authentic old-time music and know the history. Low-slung blues, scorching swing jazz and crossover folk hits from 1851-1933. Come discover what 'Tents, Trains and Traveling Janes' meant during this pivotal time. Wild music was created and the pioneering bandleaders were wilder still! 'Outstanding' ***** (Edinburgh49.org). ‘Vivacious stage presence’ (Herald). 'Not a household name yet – but soon will be' (BBC Sounds).

Ali Affleck and the Traveling Janes – Bringing Bold, Brassy Bedlam to Swing, Blues and Trad Folk/Roots Jazz

Ali is celebrating 30 years of pioneering jazz, blues and hokum. Award-winning vocalist, jazz historian, and an all-star band playing with authenticity. The music was bold – the musicians even more so! Come hear the bawdy music that inspired such scandalous parties. 'Masterclass in grassroots jazz/blues' ***** (Edinburgh49.org). 'Not a household name yet – she soon will be' (BBC Radio Scotland). ‘Musical storyteller’ (Scotsman). 'Astounding vocals' ***** (San Diego Union-Tribune). ‘Vivacious’ (Herald). Six-time nominee for Best Vocalist (Scottish Jazz Awards).

Ali Affleck Presents: A Hot Time in the Old Town – Celebrating the Wild Trailblazers of Blues and Jazz

Returning to the Jazz Bar for the seventh year, Scottish acoustic guitar and double-bass duo, Malt and Rye will be playing classic blues and roots songs from the last 100 years. Songs like Hoochie Coochie Man and San Francisco Bay Blues will be played with the duo’s distinctive passion and humour. The hour-long set not only includes songs by the greats like Robert Johnson, Willie Dixon, Lowell Fulson, Jimmy Rogers and Memphis Slim, but also comes up to date by including songs by modern-day blues masters, like Eric Clapton and Martin Harley.

The Jazz Bar

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