Packed to bursting with deep grooves, true grit and the kind of soulful sounds so sadly lacking in so many of their more celebrated contemporaries this trio leave it out there every time. They cover everything from Hendrix to Bill Withers with every funky stop along the way, their sessions at The Malt and Hops have been woven into Leith folklore so don’t you dare miss this three piece of wonder!

Al is a mesmerizing performer who’s played on pretty much every decent stage the length and breadth of the country, gathering die hard fans and rave reviews where ever he goes so get yourself along for a slice of authentic acoustic delta blues.

Acoustic genre-mashing style Gods, The Banjo Lounge Four are coming back to The Shore, donning their legendary tweeds and delving deep into the very finest grooves from straight up Old School Hip Hop, the swampiest Funk, Swing and dance, alongside the kind of Electronica and Rock you simply can’t find anywhere else.

Craig and Tom Anderson have been performing as a duo and full band lineup for over 30 years. Up front on vocals, Craig Anderson brings the raw sounds of Chicago blues with driven, Sonny Boy Williamson harmonica virtuosity whilst the acoustic guitar of Tom Anderson blends the shuffle rhythms with hints of southern blues, jazz and funk. They’re augmented by long term bass buddy Ed Kelly for one show and stripped back as the duo for the other.

Brand new shiny band that can only be a great addition to the burgeoning blues scene, Jed Potts teams up with Cameron Gray and Richie Anderson for a feast of blues and rock standards all played with verve and no little style. And just remember boys and girls, they’re just a frightened of you as you are of them.

David Series is a gifted guitar player who’s collaborated with a whole mess of the UK’s finest musicians but here he’s channelled his energies into this tribute to one his and one of everyone’s favourite jazz guitarists, Grant Green. Sitting right at that juicy junction where blues meets jazz this three piece concentrate on the funky side of Green’s material and feature Huw Rees on playing powerful, inventive grooves on Hammond Organ and the ever sprightly Davide Rinaldi on drums

One of the best blues based experiences around. Featuring the deliciously swampy, blues drenched guitar and playfully soulful vocals of New York expat and genuine quality old school geezer, Danny Lazarski and backed up by the extremely classy, deeply groovy, high quality rhythm team of Rod Kennard and Jamie Graham. This is seriously funky blues you simply can’t find anymore, so good it should be available on the NHS.

Gary, the Jensen Intercepters and now Blues ‘n’ Trouble frontman, and Richard O'Donnell have played in each other's bands for years, developing an almost telepathic understanding that makes every gig they play together a gem. Gary’s raspy, decadent vocals, harmonica and demonic slide guitar couple quite beautifully with Richard’s delta style vocals, guitars of course utterly incredible piano. Together they play some of the finest, authentic pre war blues around, the wee band with the big, big sound!

Harry Higgs, the soulful singer and masterful guitarist bringing the rich sounds of classic soul and blues to the stage. With his deep, raspy voice that growls with emotional intensity and a guitar that sings, he’s performed and toured in numerous countries around the world. Now based in Edinburgh, Harry’s live shows are a must-see for fans of soul, blues, and exceptional musicianship.

Wonderful, wide ranging blues, soul and rock featuring Gavin Jack and Andy Callen playing originals drawing on all the very best of some of the greatest artists around, from Peter Green to John Martyn, from Skip James to J.J. Cale and from Muddy Waters to Gil Scott Heron.

Fast becoming a serious voice in Scottish music both with his own bands and with the near legendary ‘Vintage Explosion’ James Steel has a wonderful full tenor sound reminiscent of those long gone masters of Texas Tenor sax Buddy Tate, Arnett Cobb and Hershel Evans. Joining him this week end is the equally splendid Tim Lallemant, not only a wonderful addition to the much storied lineage of truly great Scottish jazz piano players but also the perfect foil to James’ style with his melodic and swinging style that owes much but isn’t a slave to the great Fats Waller and Oscar Peterson

All too rare solo outing for the guy who’s long been regarded by those who know as one of the very best blues guitar slingers on the scene and a wonderful vocalist to boot. Jed’s bag is firmly in that classic ‘50s and ‘60s blues played with with passion and with subtle power, inspired by the likes of Freddie King and Howlin’ Wolf.

Perfectly described as 'Like Seasick Steve in a science lab' by Ian Rankin and as 'Fantastic!' by none other than Jools Holland, boogie-woogie slide-guitar master John Hunt plays the Deep South blues like no other on his own hand built and cannibalized recycled guitars. Always a seriously mesmerizing performer and one of the biggest hits on the Edinburgh Fringe year after sell out year, John's sets will never let you down.

Featuring the powerful but tender, gravel toned voice of Alan King, a certified legend of the Scottish music scene, the new look Johnson Brothers are back to deliver what they always deliver, high quality blues, rock and soul. Joined by the wonderful Sean Lithgow on guitar you can expect all your favourites from the likes of Bill Withers, Marvin Gaye, Boz Scaggs and Otis Redding

As the voice and main song writer for the much adored Edinburgh outfit ‘Broken Windows’ Liz Jones has established herself at the forefront of the new wave of UK folk rockers currently setting the heather on fire all over the country. Liz tours both with her band and as a much sought after solo act and she’s gathered rave reviews and fans of all ages as she goes. We’re especially pleased to have her perform both as a duo with the incredible multi instrumentalist Suzy Cargill and as a trio with the addition of Rod Kennard holding down the bass duties.

The Lone Pine Pickers featuring Ross Milligan on guitar and vocals and Conor Smith on guitar and pedal steel brought together through a shared passion for the music of Chet Atkins, Bob Wills, Hank Garland, Jimmy Bryant, Speedy West and Bill Frisell. They play an energetic and highly original blend of jazz, hot club and western swing all delivered with panache and no little fun.

Having made music together at the very highest level for many years now, the near perfect pairing of Martin Kershaw's liquid, fiery alto and Graham Stephen’s endlessly inventive bop inspired guitar naturally compliment each other superbly. Grab this chance to hear these top flight musicians open the book on some choice bebop, old school standards and laid back blues up close and personal.

Mike Kearney leads this fantastic little band of ragtime goblins who always bring those wonderful sounds of old New Orleans right to our very doorstep. Featuring the trombone stylings of Paddy Darley alongside the slapping string bass of Simon Toner and with Mike's rollicking piano playing and darkly burnished vocals this is rare treat for the ears and feet alike!

Morph, a simply incredible guitar player has been an integral part of the Scottish jazz and funk scene for many decades now and was a founder member of much loved and missed  Glasgow funk Jazz band ‘Dissentangoed’. This dynamite trio features Jim Drummond on drums and Dougie Coulter on electric bass, both essential members of Sunday night Jazz Bar Stalwarts ‘The Sunday Sinners’ Playing all manner of jazz funk standards alongside some deep cuts from the Pat Metheny and John Scofield song books.

Featuring the mercurial blues guitar of Allan Jones, the vocals and fiery harmonica of the legendary Gary Martin and the incredible piano and guitar of Richard O'Donnell ‘Mud In Your Ear’ are quite simply one of the very best acoustic blues experiences around. Specializing in the very highest quality blues music of Elmore James, Lightning Hopkins and Sleepy John Estes everything they play is stepped in emotion and played with the kind of feel you might have thought was consigned to history.

Two of Scotland’s finest blues masters team up here for a session of acoustic and electric blues standards and originals of the very highest quality. Sandy works with the great Scottish singer Maggie Bell and has also played with has also played Tim Elliott and the Troublemakers, Brandon Santini band and Earl Thomas and Giles Robson and has supported the likes of Robert Cray, Jack Bruce, Van Morrison, Eric Burdon, Canned Heat, Bill Wyman's rhythm Kings and Kris Kristofferson. Neil Warden has also played with Maggie Bell as well as Tam White, Boz Burrell, Camille O'Sullivan, Peter Straker, Stuart Mitchell, Dave Heath, Aqua Bassino and many more. Aside from being a fantastic blues and jazz guitarist Neil is also according to no lesser authority than ‘UK Blues Matters’…’one of the world’s leading exponents of the Weissenborn lap steel guitar’

A duo made in blues and country heaven, Nichole and Jed voices blend in a way that is a tribute to their natural musicality but also the respect they have for each other’s talents. Their performances are always a two way conversation trading lead vocal duties and harmony, letting their music take them where it will.

Taking their lead from those legends of hot club jazz Django Reinhardt, Oscar Alemán, Charlie Christian and Eddie Lang Paul Paterson and his mercurial trio have a authentic but original always a wonderful take on hot, swinging jazz. With the accent firmly on fiery gypsy rhythms Paul’s fluid acoustic guitar is twinned this week end with the virtuoso strings of Ross Baird and the always swinging Charlotte Paterson on the string bass.

Featuring three of the country’s most important jazz stylists the ‘Phil Bancroft Standards Trio’ is a constant reminder of why the combination of traditions combined with a thirst for the new is what drives the best in all musics not least the kind of jazz these masters deal in. Phil has long been the country’s leading tenor voice, Mario Caribe continues to stand out in a crowded field of exceptional double bass players and Tom Bancroft, both as a musician and as a composer and creator of great music is one of Scotland’s finest recent exports. Tunes by Cole Porter, Jerome Kern, Duke Ellington and Charles Mingus provide the springboards here but you can expect fresh and exciting improvisation and genuine interplay right in front of your eyes and ears.

Blues, bebop and beyond from one of the finest jazz trombone men around, Phil is always a treat to hear but this will be especially spicy as he’s joined on guitar the wonderful Ged Brockie and the ever swinging Ed Kelly.

Featuring Emma Fairbairn’s emotive and soulful vocals and Ross MacLeod on vocals and his awesome Stevie Ray Vaughan, Kenny Burrell and Scott Henderson inspired guitar.

The Pocket Collective formed back in 2022 in order to play the music of their heroes BB King, Stevie Ray Vaughan and Etta James alongside their own fantastic compositions, and have very quickly become regulars in the Blues Clubs and music bars all over the country.

Stepping out from his seat in the rhythm section of Paul Patterson’s high octane trio (who you can catch at the Old Chain Pier on Saturday evening), Ross is teaming up with the tenor saxophone and clarinet of John Burgess to run through some great tunes from the 30’s and 40’s.

Sam Mundy is a top quality folk singer and guitarist whose vast repertoire spans blues, bluegrass and early country. Sam is a self declared ‘dedicated revivalist’ devoted to keeping that wonderful acoustic traditional music alive and does so by playing every song he performs with authenticity and heart.

If you like your jazz with a bebop edge but delivered with heart and soul then this is the trio for you. Stewart Forbes is one of the country’s leading saxophone voices, over his illustrious career he has backed a whole host of incredible names from the best in jazz and blues including the late, great Tony Bennett to pop and country legends Kenny Rogers, Randy Crawford and Glen Campbell. Stewart’s also a masterful ballad player with a great line in groovy, bluesy flute. Equally adept on the whole family of horns it’s his full toned and lush alto sax and supple flute that will be featured up front with the guitar master Ged Brockie and the fulsome grooves of Ed Kelly on double bass

Quite simply one of the UK’s finest current early jazz bands, much travelled and hugely admired the Tenement Jazz Band are helping keeping the light of the true, authentic New Orleans sounds alive. There’s raw energy and genuine love of the music that makes their take on the material exciting in a way only the very best musicians ever achieve.

Reemerging after the lurid revelation that he is in fact the love child of the chef and the rat from ‘Ratatouille’, John Burgess leads this unique, chord less trio who are up-dating of the classic 'New Orleans Sound' of yesteryear. His clarinet and alto saxophone are joined by two of the country's finest in bass player Roy Percy and Tom Bancroft on drums and washboard and playing the stomps, rags, blues and pop tunes first made famous in the bars and dance halls of New Orleans 100 years ago.

Returning to the Leith Blues Festivsl programme after a few years off, Scottish duo Malt & Rye rejoin the fold with their own brand of acoustic blues and roots, played with passion and humour.