Full Winterfest programme now on sale
The Soundhouse Winter Festival, returns to the Traverse Theatre in Edinburgh from Thursday 26 to Monday 30 November with a packed programme, performed by some of the finest jazz, trad, and indie musicians based in Scotland.
The festival kicks off on Thursday night, with a free performance by The Soundhouse Choir to celebrate its 10th anniversary. The choir which is renowned for its original and adventurous collaborations, is led by founder Heather Macleod who has over 30 years of experience as a singer, teacher, arranger and producer.
This year’s headliners (already on sale) are Irish singer Heidi Talbot and Ivor-Novello nominated singer-songwriter Boo Hewerdine; Scottish indie duo Sacred Paws, with Ray Aggs (Trash Kit, Shopping) and Eilidh Rodgers (Golden Grrrls) supported by Nani Porenta; Edinburgh-based singer-songwriter Jake Cogan with a first glimpse of songs from her forthcoming third studio album; saxophonist and composer Matt Carmichael joined by Charlie Stewart (fiddle), James Mackay (guitar), Chris Amer (guitar), Fergus McCreadie (piano), Ali Watson (bass) and Stephen Henderson (drums) to launch his new album Held in the Dark; and Malin Lewis - Scotland’s award-winning, effervescent queer bagpiper, fiddle player, instrument maker and composer.
Early evening concerts include a special pre-release performance by Cera Impala of tracks from her new album Persephone, born from heartbreak healing, mythology and a profound connection to nature; The Deep Blue, who have only played once before in Edinburgh, with the Waterboys at the Usher Hall last year and are hot off their summer festival circuit and sold out shows at Manchester’s YES Pink Room and London’s Camden Assembly; and Haftor Medbøe & Konrad Wiszniewski, who were one of the standout shows at our Fringe run at the Rose Theatre in 2023.
This Fringe run is what inspired us to create the Winter Festival which recognizes the wealth of home-grown talent across Scotland. Guitarist Haftor has released 15 albums and is Emeritus Professor of Jazz & Improvised Music at Edinburgh’s Napier University, and saxophonist Konrad Wiszniewski is arguably one of Scotland’s most in-demand musicians, playing regularly with the SNJO, Mamma Terra and others. For Winter Festival they will perform music inspired by their 2023 album Poiesis and new work scheduled for release early next year.
Other highlights include Space for Dreaming a new commission by Harben Kay, bringing together an ensemble of contemporary musicians to form an exciting elaboration on a traditional jazz trio. Harben Kay (tenor saxophone flute), Pippa Blundell (voice, guitar), Danielle Price (tuba), Brodie Laird-Jarvie (bass), and Stephen Henderson (drums) come from a broad range of musical backgrounds and upbringings, and for the festival they will form an unconventional line-up that invites playfulness and responsiveness to Harben’s writing, asking what happens when we slow down and give ourselves space.
This year’s spotlight concert provides a platform for three new up-and-coming jazz artists to showcase their work: Nor (Eleanor Colee), a Glasgow-based saxophonist who recently released a debut single Solace and won the Development Award through Help Musicians earlier this year; Laura Osa who is a dynamic singer, songwriter and multi-instrumentalist and won the 2024 Rising Star Award at the Scottish Jazz Awards, (Laura will be accompanied by Ewan Johnston (keyboards), Chris Quinn (bass) and Kenny Lyons (drums)); and Zoe Downs, a tenor saxophonist with a love for Scandinavian jazz, whose band is formed of Ashwari Panesar (double bass), Alex Handyside (guitar), Ruby Smith (fiddle ) and Finlay Morgan on drums.
Plus, there will be a jazz singing workshop with songwriter and vocal educator Sophie Bancroft; and a session on learning street band techniques with specialists Oi Musica who aim to challenge, inspire and bring out the pleasure of playing in a group.
The Soundhouse Winter Festival now in its 3rd year runs over St Andrews Day and the Fair Saturday weekend and is supported by The National Lottery through Creative Scotland.
Douglas Robertson and Jane-Ann Purdy, co-producers said:
“It seems to us that no one is very sure what to do with St Andrew’s Day beyond re-enacting a shortbread tin scene with pre-recorded pipers and kilted dancers. We want to do a lot better than that and celebrate the enormous breadth and quality of music being made in Scotland right now. There is a very rich seam of home-grown musical talent and we are delighted to present our third annual world-class line up in Edinburgh this November. Hope to see you then!”
Alan Morrison, Head of Music at Creative Scotland said:
“Since 2024, the Soundhouse Winter Festival has thrown a spotlight on two of the most dazzling threads in the Scottish music sector today – the forward drive of our most ambitious folk musicians and the rising tide of our young jazz talent. Through the perfect curation of a compact programme, this festival has quickly become a vital fixture on Scotland’s music calendar, safe in the trusted hands of the same people who have taken Edinburgh’s Tradfest to new heights. Whether you’re in the mood for discovery or luxuriating in the sound of old favourites, this is the best place to spend the St Andrew’s Day weekend.”
Heather Macleod, Founder and Leader of the Soundhouse Choir said:
“It’s really lovely and fitting that this concert, which celebrates ten years of Soundhouse Choir also celebrates our partnership with the Soundhouse Organisation. To see how they’ve both grown over the years into such an active and important part of Edinburgh and Scotland’s rich musical tapestry is a joy.
“Within the choir itself, I see many firm friendships form and have made many of my own too. It’s an incredible and ever-changing (albeit very large!) living organism that moves and breathes with life itself, simply because we sing together. It never fails to be a joy!”
Musician Harben Kay, who has written this year’s festival commission said:
“I’m absolutely over the moon to be part of this year’s Soundhouse Winter Festival. Soundhouse is such a fantastic organisation—Jane-Ann and Douglas do an incredible amount for musicians and the wider music scene here in Scotland. It’s a real honour to be included in this year’s incredible line-up.
“This project couldn't have come at a better time for me. I’m currently working towards my next album, and this Soundhouse commission has given me the perfect opportunity to write a brand-new set of music, complete with dedicated rehearsal time and a premiere performance. I’ve called the project ‘Space For Dreaming’, as it really is a dream project—I’ve brought together artists I deeply admire, regardless of genre, and I am so excited to hear what they bring to my compositions.”
Booking link for tickets – soundhousewinterfest.com
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