Lagavulin Islay Jazz hailed great success
THE Lagavulin Islay Jazz Festival, held in the distillery’s 200th anniversary year, has been hailed as the most successful to date, with most of the 19 performances sold out across the island.
Many musicians and visiting jazz fans were delayed on Islay after the weekend festival when Monday’s storms disrupted ferry crossings back to Kennacraig, but revellers took the longer stay in their stride. One first-time visitor told organisers: ‘I’m going to be a bit late back to Dingwall and will miss some work, but the festival was great. I’ll be back.’
Stuart Todd, a festival organiser from Portnahaven, even called the three- day event ‘the most successful Islay Jazz Festival so far’, with most concerts across the island fully booked. Ardbeg and Laphroaig distilleries hosted concerts, alongside village halls, the island’s Gaelic College and the RSPB centre.
First up on Friday, on Lagavulin’s home turf at the Old Malt Mill, was Martin Taylor playing alongside Swedish virtuoso Ulf Wakenius, who were described on the festival website as two of the greatest guitarists in the world, playing for nearly a decade each with jazz legends Stephane Grappelli and Oscar Peterson.
On Saturday, James Torme, son of the singing and acting star Mel Torme, came from Los Angeles to another packed house in this intimate whisky venue. Stuart said: ‘James too relished the audience contact that rarely happens in the theatres he usually plays across the United States.’
Artists from 25 countries have played the festival since 1999, with top Scottish players and singers. This year spotlighted several adventurous Norwegian acts such as Haftor Medbøe, Espen Eriksen, Gunnar Halle and the ‘earthy and ethereal’ band Pixel. Among the Scottish artists, the Islay Jazz Quartet made their debut at Ionad Chaluim Chille Ìle, including teenage saxophonist Kirsty MacArthur from Bowmore.
Stuart Todd explained: ‘Among the festival’s aims is to showcase many of the styles that make up the broad church of jazz.
‘As one regular visitor blogged, “What I really love about Islay is being able to hear ultra modern music as well as stuff from nearly 100 years ago. And I can a have a dance or even see folkie type players who have popped up at Celtic Connections. The friendly people and the complimentary drams are important too”.’
Jazz Scotland, who also organise several other festivals including the massive Edinburgh Jazz and Blues Festival, present the Islay event in partnership with the local Islay Arts Association.
Financial support from Creative Scotland and Argyll and Bute Council helps fund the festival alongside the sponsorship from Lagavulin. Plans are already in hand for September 2017.