Islay Jazz Festival
Fri 14, 6pm, Port Mor, Port Charlotte, Isle of Islay, £7 (£5), 01496 810 262

The annual excuse to visit one of the loveliest locations on Planet Jazz begins its ninth year in a new venue just outside beautiful Port Charlotte.

Among the musicians appearing over the weekend are Swedish trumpeter Anders Bergcrantz, swinging American saxophonist-clarinettist Ken Peplowski and a ferryful of Scottish talent, including Tommy Smith and Brian Kellock in their sparring duo and young saxophonist Leah Gough Cooper.

Other highlights include the Haftor Medboe mini-group, the Scottish Jazz All Stars, and the soulful and funky Live Sciences.

This opening concert by Phil Alexander - the pianist of Moishe's Bagel - and Catriona McKay - harper in Fiddlers' Bid - should get things off to a cracking start.