Photographs from the Edinburgh Jazz Archive

The Edinburgh Jazz Archive, held at Edinburgh Central Music Library, celebrates over 60 years of jazz in the city.

As well as charting the rise of stars such as Sandy Brown, Al Fairweather, Archie Semple and Alex Welsh, the archive includes rare recordings and other memorabilia tracking the story of Edinburgh's unique jazz scene.

In 1940s Edinburgh jazz was seen as contemporary and fresh. The city's youth embraced this new music which separated them from their elders. Newly established venues and clubs were places to gather together and make new friends.

Some of the key players and venues where music was performed are represented in these photographs, offering a flavour of the times.

If you know more about the subjects represented, please get in touch as we'd love to hear more.

We are very grateful for the donation of the Edinburgh Jazz Archive to Edinburgh Central Library and ongoing support from Jim Keppie, Norrie Thomson, and Donald Murray. The development of the archive is ongoing and we shall let everyone know of progress through our social media.

The Jazz Archive is based at the Music Library, Central Library, George IV Bridge:

Monday-Thursday: 10am-8pm
Friday: 10am-5pm
Saturday: 9am-1pm

If you'd like to find out more about the Edinburgh Jazz Archive please contact 0131 242 8050 or email central.music.library@edinburgh.gov.uk