Report: Drambuie Present Brass And Crimson

Clash heads to Edinburgh for a cultural hit...

Remember Drambuie? Well, we headed up to the home of one of the world’s oldest liqueurs to rediscover the drink favoured by Scottish royalty as well as musical royalty. Drambuie’s journey has been turbulent to say the least; originating as an 18th Century elixir created by the fugitive Bonnie Prince Charlie, it eventually found its way across the Atlantic where, during the time of prohibition, it became the fuel of choice for the infamous Rat Pack in the form of the Rusty Nail.

It’s the Edinburgh Jazz Festival and for the opening night of the 2016 tour, the Brass and Crimson tour are hosting some of Europe’s finest jazz musicians, accompanied by drinks Sinatra and co. would be proud of.

Soweto Kinch is a Birmingham based Oxford educated saxophonist, MC and MOBO award winner. The list of places he’s been, the things he’s done and the people he’s collaborated with is plain silly so it’s a right old treat to see him perform in Edinburgh’s intimate Jazz Bar. He begins by telling us the show revolves around Dante’s Seven Deadly Sins (Greed, Lust, Envy, Sloth, Wrath, Pride and Gluttony for those who conveniently don’t remember their sins). Kinch is both charming and charismatic: a proper entertainer. Among a room of jazz enthusiasts as well as novices, there are people smiling, laughing and doing that thing that trained musicians do silently moving their fingers as though they are air bassists, or any other instrument for that matter. For the untrained, they sit back and quietly sip their Rusty Nail.

Max von Mosch arguably sits at the other end of the spectrum against Soweto Kinch. Max is a well-travelled man, having studied at numerous schools both in Europe and America as well as having won various prizes and arranged compositions for international orchestras. His life clearly revolves around jazz and for that he deserves respect. Nevertheless, however technically gifted and skilled the Max von Mosch trio are, their set lacks the playful enthusiasm that coursed through Soweto Kinch’s set.

The tour is gaining momentum in its quest to bring back the days of the dark, smoky jazz scene, fuelled by a resurgent Drambuie. So if smooth jazz and a Drambuie Collins is your thing, look no further than the Brass and Crimson events. Having toured Edinburgh, Leeds and Manchester with an impressive line-up, the Drambuie Brass & Crimson makes its final stop in the capital city to celebrate London Cocktail Week. Set in The Hoxton Hall on 6th & 7th October, Drambuie Brass & Crimson is a modern celebration of the iconic 1960’s New York scene that made Drambuie world-famous.

On 6th October, iconic Brazilian jazz-funk trio Azymuth will launch the two-day event alongside Brooklyn based musician Taylor McFerrin who will headline with an exclusive live set. Friday 7th October, listeners will enjoy a special performance from a Special Guest soon to be announced. 

For a complimentary ticket to The Brass & Crimson events and to receive a free cocktail before 11pm, visit this link.

 

Words: Milo Wasserman

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