BUTE will be swinging to the sound of jazz next month as Bute Arts Society brings its expanded Gala Jazz Weekend back to the island.
Following the success of the inaugural event in September last year, organisers have more than doubled the programme for 2026, increasing from five performances to 11 sessions across four days, from Thursday, September 3 to Sunday, September 6.
The weekend opens at the Isle of Bute Parish Church with a specially commissioned ‘Classical Composer’ jazz concert curated by young Russian pianist Nikita Lukinov.
Nikita is already familiar to Bute audiences, having performed on the island during previous seasons and at the launch of the society’s new £52,000 Yamaha Grand Piano.
He will be joined by fellow Russian artists Ivan Venchenko on saxophone and jazz vocalist Alisa Apreleva.
The opening concert will also mark the launch of Bute Arts Society’s winter season of ten monthly performances at the church, with Patrons, Friends and season ticket holders invited to meet the artists at a reception afterwards.
Among the additions to this year’s jazz weekend will be a performance by the young musicians of Rothesay Academy Jazz Band, who will take to the Winter Gardens from 3pm to 4pm for a free concert.
Further free sessions have also been introduced at the Glenburn Hotel, where former St Andrews University graduate Matthew McIlree will provide early evening jazz piano from 5pm to 7pm each evening.
Matthew appeared with his trio at last year’s festival and returns to perform background jazz for those enjoying a drink or pre-concert meal in the hotel’s bar and restaurant.
The main programme will see the return of jazz violinist Seonaid Aitken, this time with her new quintet for ‘Grappelli & Ella’.
New to Bute will be the Tenement Jazz Band, beginning with its interactive family show ‘Box of Wonders’, which children can attend free of charge.
The band will return later in the day, fresh from performances at the Edinburgh Festival Fringe, with a traditional acoustic jazz set.
Also returning to the island is the Brian Molley Quartet, performing its interpretation of the music of Henry Mancini.
Sunday’s programme will feature the Caroline Scott Jazz Quartet, also arriving following Edinburgh Fringe performances, before the weekend draws to a close with Angela Duncan and the Tim Saul Quartet performing selections from the American Songbook.
Bute Arts Society said the expanded programme reflected the response to last year’s inaugural jazz weekend and its aim of making music accessible to as wide an audience as possible.
The weekend is supported financially by Bute Jazz Concerts, Bute BID and Visit Bute, while support from For Bute and the D’Oyly Carte Trust enables children to attend Bute Arts Society concerts free of charge.
The society’s trustees said: “We believe music and the arts are for everyone and look forward to welcoming you to our many and varied concerts in our ever-widening programme.”
