Performers

The Tommy Bentz Band are returning to this year's 17th Callander Jazz & Blues Festival 28th Sep-1st Oct. A fantastic power trio from Wisconsin USA that has been in existence for over 15 years with jamming style of "the Allman Brothers meets Van Morrison". Tommy, Nick & Andy combine all of their years of musical performance into a tight, energized, soulful, live musical package with singer/songwriter lyrics and a mature blues/rock edge.

The Gerry Jablonski Band were without doubt one of the highlights of last year's festival. So, when we had the opportunity to bring them back this year we jumped at the chance. The bands raw and crafty stage show takes the audience on a rollercoaster ride of dangerous, charming and gutsy music with hooks and melodies that cross genres and age groups.

“an absolutely refreshing and life affirming experience. The best band you never heard of” Classic Rock  Magazine

2018 Blues Awards - UK Blues Act of the Year

Very pleased to announce that Europe's No.1 Western Swing Band return to this year's Callander Jazz & Blues Festival. The very talented high-energy Swing Commanders will perform some of the finest 30's-50's Western Swing hits, layering them with with their unique presentation of lush harmonies and hot solos! Get ready for some Live Swing Music and Dancing...y'all!!

They're back!!! The Revolutionaires official festival favourites are returning in 2023 with more Sizzlin' Hot R&B and Rock n Roll. Performing on Friday & Saturday September 29th & 30th at this year's 17th Callander Jazz & Blues Festival.

Recently voted Best Vocalist at the 2022 Scottish Jazz Awards, for the 2nd time, talented Glasgow based jazz vocalist kitti brings her amazing voice and wonderful band to this year's 17th Callander Jazz & Blues Festival. Influenced by Ella Fitzgerald, Annie Lennox and Erykah Badu, kitti injects the cool into Scotland's jazz infused R&B and soul music scene, unhindered by genre, time or place. In Glasgow at least, jazz is something that’s becoming cool again.

Edinburgh jazz quartet JazzMain return to this year's Callander Jazz & Blues Festival with a performance scheduled for new festival venue Karma Lake of Menteith. JazzMain have built their reputation around the 50s and 60s Blue Note Jazz era, with Nick Gould (tenor sax), Kevin Dorrian (drums), Steve Grossart (keyboards) and Iain Harkness (bass) a real tour-de-force of quality jazz. Besides their vast Blue Note repertoire, JazzMain perform works by the likes of Grosvenor Washington Jnr and Stevie Wonder amongst a raft of other great, trailblazing composers. Don't miss them at this year's festival between Sep 28 - Oct 01.

Delighted to have Scottish singer songwriter John Taylor performing at this year's Callander Jazz & Blues Festival. Many of John's songs have been in multiple movies, TV shows and commercials, which have given him number one downloads and chart positions around the world. John released his ninth studio album "The world's gone mad" in 2023 and this year his songs have been used in the movie Dog Gone which was the #1 global movie on Netflix and also in the hit Amazon Prime show Daisy Jones and the Six. Fans of John's work include Bruce Springsteen guitarist Nils Lofgren and Grammy Award winner Joy Williams of The Civil Wars. Catch John playing at this year's Callander Jazz & Blues Festival on Sunday October 1st at MacNabs. 

Marianne McGregor is a prominent new voice in the Scottish Jazz Scene. Awarded 'Best Vocalist’ in the Scottish Jazz Awards 2021, Marianne continues to gain recognition for her powerful voice and improvisation. Taking inspiration from her jazz influencers, Marianne has a tone comparable to the likes of Amy Winehouse and an Ella-like freedom towards scat-singing and has been performing to appreciative audiences all over the UK. Catch the Marianne McGregor Trio at this year's 17th Callander Jazz & Blues Festival on Friday 29th September at 8.30pm in the Riverside Inn Callander.

We welcome back the Konradband to this year's Callander Jazz & Blues Festival. The five piece band have played all over the UK and offer up a diverse and distinctive blend of blues based original music. Band members have recorded with Gary Moore and supported The Groundhogs featuring the late great Tony McPhee. "If you want a band of desperados who have been around several blocks, who write blistering, original songs of every flavour known to man or woman.........go see Konrad. You'll love 'em." Iain Rankin. See them perform at this year's Callander Jazz & Blues Festival on Sat Sep 30 at 5.30 pm in The Crown, Callander.

We are pleased to announce that classically trained and highly regarded acoustic guitar player, Nico G, returns to this year's Callander Jazz & Blues Festival. Born and bred in Belgium and inspired by a range of genres, guitarist Nico G draws on the musical styles he loves most, bringing his own original twist to established favourites. The blues go hand in hand with rock, pop and folk with his original compositions and arrangements with interwoven, overlying melodies. Catch Nico G at this year's Callander Jazz & Blues Festival between Sep 28-Oct 01.

Al Hughes is a festival regular favourite and is rooted in the blues and soul tradition of so many Scottish singers. His music conjures a variety of moods, from forceful and raucous, to gentle and wistful. One of Scotland's finest performers in the acoustic blues scene, Al returns with his distinct blues guitar sound to this year's 17th Callander Jazz & Blues Festival on Friday 29th September.

KWAK are back!! at this year's Callander Jazz & Blues Festival playing their brand of blues infused rock. Think Peter Green and Billy Gibbons and you won't be far away. KWAK hail from the east of Scotland and have been playing guitar driven blues with a few surprises thrown in for many years all across Scotland. Look forward to an excellent night of dancin' fun!

The Robin Robertson Blues Band celebrate women in the blues with a set list of original songs and covers that are heavily influenced by the genre, whether writers or singers.  The soul jazz infuences of the band members, Robin, Annette, Colin, Brian & Ryan, find their way into the set in some small way. With great musicianship and real energy, audiences are guaranteed a powerful, and enjoyable live experience. “Annette Chapman's voice is a sheer delight reminding me at times of Maggie Bell...laying bare her vocal ability, wringing tension and emotion from each word” - Merv Osborne. Performing at the 17th 

 on Friday 29th September in The Waverley at 5.00pm. A really fun gig!

Jenne McClure is a singer from Callander, well established within the Scottish jazz scene, and performs as part of Stirling Crisis, a 6-piece band from central Scotland. Stirling Crisis offer up a mixture of mainstream jazz, Latin jazz, ballads, bebop and jazz rock/pop numbers, reworking timeless tunes in their own style or adding new lyrics to well known jazz instrumentals and enjoying bringing the universal language of jazz to new audiences. Catch them at this year's 17th Callander Jazz & Blues Festival on Friday 29th September at 7.30pm in the Karma Lake of Menteith Hotel, just outside Callander

Delighted to announce that the Tenement Jazz Band will be playing at this year's 17th Callander Jazz & Blues Festival. Best Band winners at the Scottish Jazz Awards 2022, TJB are a traditional jazz band comprising musicians from various corners of Edinburgh’s vibrant jazz scene with a shared love of New Orleans music. Catch their infectious sound at this year's Callander Jazz & Blues Festival Sep 28-Oct 01.

Bison Hip were formed by long-time friends during a lockdown Zoom call in 2020 and hit the ground running with the release of their debut EP ‘Dear Greens and Blues’ in March 2022. Debut album "Older Stronger Better" followed this year, generating fantastic reviews after it's launch at HMV in Glasgow in April. Catch them at this year's Callander Jazz & Blues Festival on Sunday October 1st at 3pm in The Waverley. Bison Hip are: Paul Sloway – vocals, Malcolm Button – drums, Steven Radziwonik – keys, John Gilmour Smith – guitar and Graeme Carswell – bass.

Jed Potts & the Hillman Hunters are one of the best blues bands on the Edinburgh scene, playing classic 1950s and early 60s American blues. Blues Matters Magazine  featured Jed Potts & the Hillman Hunters in a feature on new talent entitled ‘Blue Bloods’ in their August 2018 issue. Blues in Britain magazine reviewed their debut album, saying: “This sensational eponymous debut album from the Edinburgh based trio comprises 1950s and early 60s blues classics and original material confirming this young band’s growing reputation in Scotland and beyond.” Catch them at this year's 17th Callander Jazz & Blues Festival between Sep 28-Oct 01.

Great to have the The Cafeorchestra returning to this year's Callander Jazz & Blues Festival. A unique gypsy jazz quartet made up from four of Ayrshire's top musicians, create a great connection with their audience and are always a festival favourite. The Cafeorchestra consists of John Duffy, a renowned bouzouki player and class vocalist, Karen Henderson, who has enjoyed a successful career as a traditional fiddler, Martin Henderson, who will provide the essential bass beat and Iain Newlands, a skilled guitarist with inspired soloist. Don't miss them at this year's festival between Sep 28 - Oct 01.

Danko are a four-piece band forging an electrifying fusion of Americana rock ‘n’ roll and soulful country blues, with influences from The Band, Wilco, Alabama Shakes and Nathaniel Rateliff. Signed up in 2020 by renowned independent label Distiller Music in London, Danko from Denny, have built up a great reputation and have been tearing up stages at the Eden Festival, a sold-out King Tut’s and Sound City Liverpool. Catch them at this year's Callander Jazz & Blues Festival between Sep 28-Oct 01.

The Jazz Pack Band was formed back in 2011 by a group of experienced Stirlingshire jazz musicians for the sheer enjoyment of performing great jazz music for music loving audiences across all age groups. Catch them at this year's Callander Jazz & Blues Festival  between Sep 28-Oct 01.

Michael Woods is a solo acoustic fingerpicking, ragtime bottleneck & Blues guitarist based in the North East of England inspired by the great country blues guitarists like Blind Blake, Blind Boy Fuller & Rev. Gary Davis, he is equally at home playing Classic Blues or self-penned songs and instrumentals. Michael has appeared on the acoustic stage of most of the major UK blues festivals, making a name for himself on the acoustic blues and roots scene. Catch him at this year's 17th Callander Jazz & Blues Festival between Sep 28-Oct 01.

The Real World : Glasgow Blues Band are four seasoned veterans of many a musical campaign brought together with one quest ...to offer an evening of the finest blues grooves. Playing original songs from debut album Dreamlands, with influences from Hendrix, the Stones, Free and Joe Walsh. The Real World line-up of Gregor Gilmour (guitar/vocals), Ian Fisher (guitar/vocals), Andrew Merchant (drums) and Jim Carr (bass), have recently been confirmed as support for Wishbone Ash this year in Glasgow. Catch them at this year's Callander Jazz & Blues Festival between Sep 28-Oct 01.

Delighted to welcome Blue Milk for the first time to this year's Callander Jazz & Blues Festival. Blue Milk are modern bluesmen, channelling the raw spirit of the delta blues in its most authentic form, whilst simultaneously bringing a driven twist to the genre. Lead  singer and guitarist Johnny, drummer Taylor, Ike on bass and Leo on harmonica, are heavily influenced and inspired by Ry Cooder, Muddy Waters, Junior Kimbrough and Lightnin Hopkins to name a few. Catch them at this year's festival between Sep 28 - Oct 01.

Nicole & The Backup Crew are an incredible old style up-tempo R&B band and we are happy to announce they will be performing at this year's Callander Jazz & Blues Festival. Fronted by 2023 Young UK Blues Artist of the Year nominee, the astonishing Nicole Smit, they have a unique repertoire that includes artists such as Koko Taylor, Wanda Jackson and Nina Simone.

Greig Taylor Band will be returning to this year's Callander Jazz & Blues Festival. Stirling singer-songwriter Greig Taylor and his band, drummer Dave Cantwell (formerly with the legendary John Martyn), former Marianne Faithful and Big Dish guitarist Brian McFie and original Zal Cleminson’s Sin Dogs members, Nelson McFarlane (bass) and David Cowan (keys), will be performing tracks from their recently released soul blues album "The Light". "There are a lot of imitators out there, Greig Taylor is NOT one of them. In the history of my music career few have impressed me like Greig Taylor. From our first time singing together I knew I had a soul brother!" – Earl Thomas. Don't miss them at this year's festival between Sep 28 - Oct 01.

Jon Ritchie and That Swing Sensation are one of Scotland's premier big bands with its enthusiastic mix of swing and big band music. Classic swing music is just made for dancing so if you want the swing sensation at this year's Callander Jazz & Blues Festival look out those dance shoes and get ready to hit the dance floor from Thu 28th Sep to Sun 1st Oct.

The Brian Rawson Band's music can only be described as blues with attitude! Formed eight years ago in Glasgow, the band has clocked up hundreds of gigs throughout the UK including major festivals, Maryport Blues Festival, HRH Blues, Norfolk Blues Festival as well as the Callander Jazz & Blues Festival  back in 2016. Delighted to invite them back this year with current line-up of Brian Rawson, guitar/vocals, Darran Anderson, vocals, Doug Heede, bass and Pete Dunlop, drums. As a young guitarist back in Belfast, Brian has opened for Thin Lizzy, Dexy's Midnight Runners, Doll by Doll and played guitar with Brian Connolly in "Sweet" for a UK tour. Catch them at this year's Callander Jazz & Blues Festival between Sep 28-Oct 01.

Dave Toule Trio will be performing at this year's 17th Callander Jazz & Blues Festival. Led by talented jazz vocalist and guitarist Dave Toule, his trio features the extraordinary talents of Alan Benzie on piano and Douglas Whates on upright bass. Drawing inspiration from Nat King Cole’s early trios and a wealth of piano/guitar trios of the 40s, 50s and beyond, the group’s driving rhythms, hard swing and charismatic performances pay tribute to well known classics of the American Songbook and hidden gems alike; all expertly delivered with a fresh new sound and an undeniably contagious groove.

SUS4 Quartet make their festival debut at this year's 17th Callander Jazz & Blues Festival. SUS4 Quartet from Aberdeen mix the old with the new. Two of Scotland's rising young jazz stars Matthew Kilner (sax) and Richard Glassby (drums) join forces with Colin Black (guitar) and Bryan Chalmers (bass) playing original compositions mixed with classic jazz repertoire. Expect improvisation, interplay, humour, dynamics and above all, great music! See them perform at this year's festival between Sep 28-Oct 01.