The organisers of this year's Glasgow Jazz Festival have today – fittingly on International Jazz Day – announced the full programme for the festival's 32nd edition.

As has been the case in previous years, the festival strives to bring a diverse range of artists from across different genres, as seen from earlier-announced headliners Mr Jukes, Georgie Frame and Orchestre Poly-Rythmo.

This year the organisers also announced a partnership with the Keychange Project which aims to encourage music festivals to have a 50:50 gender balance by 2020. In line with this progression towards gender equality, some of the highlights of the full programme announcement are a few stellar female artists. Bahrain-born and London-based Yazz Ahmed, whose music fuses her Bahrain heritage with the jazz scene of her London home, is one example of female talent set to play.

Another female-led group on the programme to look out for is Bitches Brew. The group is an initiative run by bass player Emma Smith to give female improvisers a platform to perform. Smith's band Kikazaru, bass player Una McGlone, Pefkin, and harpist Ailie Robertson are all set to play at this event.

Aside from the female talent, a highlight of the programme is the collaborative gig between the Glasgow Improvisers Orchestra and Trevor Watts. The GIO is one of the most important improvisation groups in Scotland and a collaboration with Watts – a prominent figure on the British free jazz and improvisation scene – will make for an interesting event.

Glasgow Improvisers Orchestra
Other must-sees include Ashley Henry, a young keyboardist with influences from Queen to Abdullah Ibrahim; big name and soul / pop / R&B singer George Benson; and Arun Grosh, who is sure to perform fresh material from his soon-to-be released album.

Finally, a unique addition to this year's programme is the free Jazz Meets Football event that is set in tandem with the Germany vs Sweden match at the World Cup in Russia. It includes two teams of musicians set to 'play' the two countries by improvising to the action as it unfolds.

The Festival takes place across different venues in the city including the Old Fruitmarket, St Lukes, Drygate and The Hug and Pint. An exciting new addition in the festival's roster of venues is Glasgow's first dedicated jazz club – The Blue Arrow – which opened earlier this year.

Jill Rodger, Director of Glasgow Jazz Festival, commented: 'Year on year we endeavour to bring an exciting and varied line-up of big-name artists alongside up-and-coming musicians to Glasgow's audiences. We're really excited to be announcing this eclectic line-up and we look forward to welcoming jazz fans old and new to some of Glasgow's most iconic music venues in June.'

Tickets for the Glasgow Jazz Festival are on sale now. Find out more about the programme and acts at the Glasgow Jazz Festival's site.