Jazz me up! Glasgow International Jazz Festival Comes to Town

Yup boys and girls, June is finally here. Those warm, summery nights are drawing in and that means only one thing for one of Scotland's most vibrant cities: it's time to jazz it up.

Returning this summer with a kaleidoscopic bill, Glasgow's International Jazz Festival has fast become one of Europe's most prestigious cultural events, showcasing some of the most talented musicians around. Incorporating the best of classic Dixieland Jazz, incessant dynamite-funk and groovy Rhythm and Blues, this year's 20th festival is set to be no exception.

Taking place over a ten-day period, Glasgow's longest running music festival infects the Merchant City and its cultural quarter with lush sounds, resulting in an exquisite ensemble of music events. This year's highlights include the smoky voiced US performer Chris Botti, the James Taylor Quartet - who kick started the Acid Jazz and Deep Funk scene with rough, up-tempo covers of '60s soundtracks such as 'Goldfinger' - and David Murray, who with his quicksilver fingers is joining up with The Gwo-Ka Masters to infuse Afro-Cuban, African and South American rhythms into the bill.

In addition to the more acclaimed of the industry, this year's festival features a culture-soaked ménage of unsigned local jazz bands who will be appearing on the 'Homegrown' stage on June 25. The final not-to-be-missed event, 'ENvision', hopes to cause a stir on 1st and 2nd July celebrating the best of the world of modern jazz and free improvisation.

If you're keen on r'n'b, fusion and all that jazz, this festival has your name written all over it.