Thanks in no small part to the scene that’s grown up around the Royal Conservatoire Of Scotland’s jazz course in Glasgow, Scottish musicians are starring in festivals internationally, while jazz releases from here sing out on radio programmes across the world. And autumn also brings a surge of internationally acclaimed musicians to our own shores.

First up is pianist Paul Harrison, who launches his latest album, Encontros at the Traverse Theatre in Edinburgh (Friday 5 September) before heading to The Merchants House in Glasgow (Sunday 7 September). Encontros is a celebration of the music of Brazilian pianist, guitarist, composer and ECM Records favourite, Egberto Gismonti. It comes with an endorsement from Gismonti himself, as well as praise from radio presenters in the US, Canada, Australia and closer to home.

Harrison’s launch gigs feature his Trio Magico with bassist Mario Caribe and drummer Stu Brown, plus guests Laura Macdonald (alto saxophone) and Rachel Lightbody (vocals) who both feature on the album. He has also hinted at a surprise inclusion or two.

With its rich history, Edinburgh’s Queen’s Hall remains the flagship venue for jazz in Scotland and, while it doesn’t host jazz to quite the same extent it once did, it opens its autumn programme with a world-class duo in saxophonist Tommy Smith and pianist Gwilym Simcock (Thursday 11 September). Simcock has toured extensively with guitar superstar Pat Metheny while late keyboard master Chick Corea considered him a musical genius.

Also at Queen’s Hall, the Scottish National Jazz Orchestra revisit the music of fusion pioneers Weather Report (Friday 26 September), under the direction of drummer Alyn Cosker in a tour that also visits Aberdeen (Saturday 27 September) and the Royal Conservatoire (Sunday 28 September). Tuba player Theon Cross follows (Wednesday 15 October) as part of the Amplifi series while saxophonist Harben Kay’s quartet (Thursday 16 October) and the Fergus McCreadie Trio (Thursday 16 October) respectively launch their new albums at the venue as part of tours.

The Jazz Bar, Whighams and The Outhouse (who host the Playtime collective) continue to stage regular gigs in Edinburgh, with Playtime adding a concert in Kirkcaldy at the Old Kirk (Friday 5 September) to their schedule. Meanwhile in Glasgow, Jazz At The Merchants House, Glasgow Jazz Club and Jazz At The Glad Café have local and international attractions lined up.
Tours to look out for include Norwegian trumpeter Erik Palmberg, who is confirmed for Edinburgh, Glasgow, Aberdeen, Linlithgow and Kirkcaldy; saxophonist Phil Bancroft’s Indo-jazz-flavoured Beautiful Storm; and pianist Gabriel Latchin’s trio. Canadian guitar virtuoso Lorne Lofsky makes a rare trip to Scotland, accompanied by fellow guitarist Nigel Price’s trio in Glasgow, Edinburgh, Aberdeen and Dundee.

Hot club favourites Rose Room continue their 15th anniversary tour and while the Scottish National Youth Jazz Orchestra have a series of concerts planned, their colleagues Fife Youth Jazz Orchestra celebrate 50 years of developing young talent with a concert at Adam Smith Theatre in Kirkcaldy (Saturday 1 November), a remarkable achievement for their tireless musical director Richard Michael.