The Sound of Scottish Jazz

“The Sound of Scottish Jazz” is a laid-back, exploratory journey through the evolving landscape of jazz in Scotland. Spanning from traditional swing to modern fusion, the playlist highlights the wide range of influences shaping the scene. There’s the lyrical, folk-tinged playing of Fergus McCreadie on “Glade” and the atmospheric textures of Matt Carmichael’s “Cononbridge,” while artists like corto.alto and Square One bring in funk and electronic elements with a more experimental edge.

Classic touches surface in tracks by Archie Semple and George Chisholm, sitting comfortably alongside boundary-pushers like Trio HLK and Free Nelson MandoomJazz. Whether it’s Tommy Smith’s cinematic saxophone work, Fat Suit’s layered arrangements, or Laura Jurd’s bold trumpet lines with the Scottish National Jazz Orchestra, there’s a consistent undercurrent of creativity. This mix offers a broad snapshot of how jazz sounds in and around Scotland — rooted in tradition, open to new ideas.