EJBF | Expo

EDINBURGH JAZZ AND BLUES FESTIVAL
EXPO 2021

ROLE: Art Direction, On-Set Direction, Project Management, Production, Film, Edit

TEAM: Justa Welsh, Stevie Cossar, Trenchone, Dystopia Studios

THE BRIEF
The Edinburgh Jazz & Blues Festival 2021 was set to deliver a hybrid program of digital and live performances, with a particular focus on showcasing Scottish artists alongside select international acts. The challenge was to bring 40 digital events—including 20 live-streamed concerts—to life, adhering to strict social distancing regulations. A key element was the inclusion of seven special commissions from the Scottish Government's EXPO fund, which emphasised new, innovative jazz projects, blending music with compelling visual experiences.

My role encompassed Art Direction, On-Set Direction, Project Management, Production, Film, and Editing.

PHOTO BY HARRISON REID

THE RESULT

The project highlighted the innovation and diversity of Scotland's jazz scene while creating an immersive experience for digital and live audiences. Each commission was crafted to not only showcase the artist's music but also deliver a visually stunning and thematically powerful message.

By blending live performances with high-quality video production, abstract animations, CGI, and filmed footage, we aimed to elevate each project and bring a modern, cinematic feel to the traditionally live jazz performance.

The seven special commissions were a particular highlight, each blending music with unique visual storytelling. For example, Symbiosis by Mark Hendry, a multimedia project that explored environmental themes through a fusion of classical music, jazz, and stunning visual projections, resonated deeply with viewers, using abstract animation and nature footage to enhance the music’s emotional power.

Other notable commissions included:

Ali Affleck with Ewan Bleach and The Hot Town Tigers, who delivered a spirited, classic jazz performance that was brought to life with dancers and vintage-inspired visuals.
Luca Manning's collaboration with dancer Steph Burrell and singer Cherise Adams-Burnett, which blended jazz with contemporary dance, creating a dynamic, cross-disciplinary performance that was visually arresting.
Fergus McCreadie’s, a Mercury Prize nominee, collaboration with saxophonist Tim Garland, which balanced musical improvisation with moody lighting and intimate camera work, drawing the audience into the heart of the performance.