The Big Chris Barber Band

Blues standards, New Orleans classics and tunes from Duke Ellington and Miles Davis are all in the Barber repertoire as he and his band do early jazz like few others.
Queen’s Hall, Clerk Street, 25 Jul, 8.30pm, £21.50 (£17.50).

Paul Towndrow Quartet

‘Better drowned than duffers’ is Towndrow’s myspace motto and this young Scottish sax player is sailing on a wave of adulation with his vast technical ability and a heart to match.
The Lot, Grassmarket, 25 Jul, 9.30pm, £8.50.

Rigmor Gustafsson

Making her Scottish debut, this honey-tongued vocalist won a Grammy in her native Sweden with Alone with You. She will be stopping off at the Spiegeltent after an extensive European tour.
Spiegeltent, George Square, 26 Jul, 7pm, £10.

David Murray Black Saint Quartet

Due to this Californian sax and clarinet player’s prolific output, he was once dubbed ‘the Joyce Carol Oates of jazz’. Having played a tenor since the age of nine, he is comfortable in both formal structures and wilder free forms.
The Hub, Castlehill, 29 Jul, 3pm, £18.50 (£16).

Barbara Morrison

With her earthy, warm and sassy vocal aesthetics, this Michigan singer was recording at the age of ten. Here, she’s accompanied by velvet-voiced Todd Gordon and film scoring saxophonist John Altman.
Queen’s Hall, Clerk Street, 30 Jul, 8pm, £18.50 (£16).

Trianglehead

These free jazz innovators have a wit and energy that balances composition and improv with true skill. Their latest CD is Exit Strategy, including tracks such as ‘Hitch Hiking Ghosts’ and ‘Hardball’.
Three Sisters, Cowgate, 31 Jul, 7.30pm, £8.50.

Muddy Waters Reunion

The man who defined the Delta-rooted sound of post-war Chicago may no longer be here but many of his band sure are. Here, the likes of Calvin ‘Fuzz’ Jones and James Cotton (pictured) get back together.
Queen’s Hall, Clerk Street, 31 Jul, 8pm, £21.50 (£17.50).

Tommy Smith

Alongside Norwegian bassist Arild Andersen and Scottish drummer Alyn Cosker, the sax star will be giving us everything from haunting soundscapes to funked-up world beats.
The Hub, Castlehill, 1 Aug, 6pm, £15 (£12.50).

BK3

Bringing humour and rhythm to The Hub, Brian Kellock has played with everyone from Tam White to Hue and Cry. Here, his trio will be swinging like there’s no tomorrow.
The Hub, Castlehill, 1 Aug, 8.30pm, £15 (£12.50).

Stephane Grappelli Centenary Concert

Guitarist Martin Taylor (pictured) leads this tribute show to the man he toured the world with for over a decade. Violinist Florin Nicolescu and bassist Jean Philippe Viret complete the gala line-up.
Queen’s Hall, Clerk Street, 3 Aug, 8pm, £21.50 (£17).

For tickets and info call 0131 473 2000 and 0131 668 2019 (Queen’s Hall).

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