The Glasgow International Jazz Festival is held annually in June in the Merchant City area of Glasgow.

The Glasgow International Jazz Festival was founded in 1987, when Glasgow was bidding to become the European City of Culture for 1990. The City had studied the competition and worked out that all major cities in Europe had a jazz festival. If they had one, then so should Glasgow.

From the very beginning, the Glasgow International Jazz Festival brought some of the biggest names of jazz to the City – 1987’s programme included singer Sarah Vaughan, Chick Corea, Taj Mahal, Benny Carter and Carol Kidd. Other top headliners include Miles Davis (during the European City of Culture year 1990), Dizzy Gillespie, Buddy Guy, Michael Brecker and Tony Bennett.

Still going strong in 2019, Jill Rodger, Director of Glasgow Jazz Festival, said: “We always aim to bring a breadth of musical talent from local and international jazz scenes to Glasgow and it’s shaping up to be another fantastic festival this year. Our jazz musicians will be entertaining us at venues all over Glasgow, including at some truly stunning and unique locations.”

“Home-grown talent also plays a big part in this year’s event and this year’s festival is a great opportunity for people to discover the high calibre of jazz talent on our doorstep, as well as enjoy special performances from international artists who will take to Glasgow’s stages to play for us.”