Scotland is very quickly gaining notoriety as a country to visit for a truly brilliant festival experience. Between Edinburgh’s constantly growing and increasingly popular Fringe festival to the newly established Live at Loch Lomond festival there is an enormous range of festivals to be attended, with a an impressive variety of genres and styles.

One of the most anticipated Scottish festivals each year is Edinburgh’s “Jazz and Blues festival,” which despite its age of over 33 years old is a constantly updating and modernising experience. Considering the range and variety which apply to the genres of Jazz and Blues it can be a quite a feat to keep up with the most modern and popular acts as well as keeping hold of the classic and experienced groups who make the festival what it is. In fact Edinburgh’s Jazz and Blues festival is officially the oldest running festival in Britain, and yet it still remains one of its most culturally relevant and contemporary events.

The festival itself is hosted between 12 different venues around Edinburgh. These range in style and taste from modern and chic venue, The Hub which boasts a mix of “contemporary design and classic Victorian architecture,” to the more retro themed and aptly named The Jazz Bar which is “An atmospheric and dedicated basement jazz bar, presented in classic cabaret style.”

The Jazz and Blues festival is also becoming known as an ideal place for bands and musicians to get attention. It’s widely played by lesser known or unsigned bands who are looking, not only to play with like minded musicians and to like minded fans but who are also looking to build up their reputations. It seems as if Edinburgh Jazz and Blues festival is the perfect place for both long established and newly founded bands alike to make a name for themselves amongst fans and bands who share their taste in music.

Although the listings for Edinburgh’s Jazz and Blues has not been fully released yet, the ability to book tickets for specific shows at particular venues means that waiting doesn’t have to mean missing out. 2011’s festival saw an enormous variety of acts, from ex Cream bassist and blues rock legend Jack Bruce and his band taking the stage at the Queen’s Hall to the eclectic and lesser known Hypnotic Brass Ensemble playing their unique blend of jazz, funk, street and hip hop at The Spiegeltent stage.

This year’s line up is already confirmed to include the incredible Jools Holland and his R n’ B orchestra, who swing between boogie woogie, jazz, soul and funk and have played with a variety of guest musicians including vocalist Lu Lu.

The Jazz and Blues festival also includes a variety of other activities within the collective of venues, including a hands on university run jazz music workshop for musicians and non musicians alike, to an set of educational and interactive lectures plus question and answer sessions on jazz music of all eras and styles.

About the author: This article was written by travel blogger and music enthusiast John Pauline who is writing on behalf of Sky Park Secure. For cheap parking when travelling by air to music festivals in Edinburgh he recommends the use of an Edinburgh airport parking company.