Showcasing Scotland’s World-Class Jazz at jazzahead! 2025
This year’s jazzahead! Scottish showcasing artists Norman&Corrie.
With support from Creative Scotland, Scottish artists, promoters and organisations will be highlighted, providing them with a unique opportunity to expand into new markets and secure future prospects.
Scottish musical duo Norman&Corrie will be performing at the jazzahead! showcase, supported by Creative Scotland through PRS Foundation’s International Showcase Fund, selected as an exciting and innovative project ready for an international audience, pushing boundaries with their experimental offering and bringing something new and distinctive to the jazzahead! market.
Challenging traditional notions of folk and jazz with new pieces translated from ancestral melodies, Norman Willmore, a Shetlander, and Corrie Dick, from Glasgow, blend tradition and innovation with modern production and instruments.
Both are deeply embedded in the jazz and contemporary scene, Corrie having toured with Dinosaur, Jacob Collier, and Rob Luft, and Norman with Peatbog Faeries, Beth Orton, and corto.alto. Together, they bring to life a project that reflects their shared Scottish heritage, combining drum kit, saxophone, organ foot pedals, and expert sound design.
During a recent residency in Shetland, the duo delved into the archipelago's rich musical traditions, learning from local heritage-bearers and exploring the archives at the Shetland Museum.
Speaking on their showcasing opportunity at jazzahead!, the duo’s Corrie Dick said: “With so much great music coming out of UK and Europe right now, it’s so encouraging to be selected for a showcase at jazzahead!. We’ve both toured plenty with other artists but now to be presenting our own music internationally is the next step we’ve been aiming for.
“Scottish music is rich and diverse and Norman and I have different but deeply intertwined heritage. Our sound is consciously influenced by fiddle music and dance rhythms of Scotland and Shetland with a contemporary, electronic and improvisatory spin to reflect the era we’re living in.” he added.
“Audiences can expect incredibly strong Celtic melodies, gut-punching and earthy electronics, and an inspiring reframing of musical elements that feel familiar, but sound new.”
As well as supporting artists to showcase their work, Creative Scotland is working with Glasgow Jazz Festival and Jazz Scotland to enable a delegation of musicians to attend the 2025 edition of the industry event.
Scottish based delegates will include vocalist and swing dancer Ali Affleck, composer, producer, guitarist Fat-Suit's Dorian Cloudsley, bandleader, pianist, harmonica player and composer Joe Nichols of Nimbus Sextet, pianist, composer, founding member of Mama Terra Marco Cafolla, vocalist and songwriter Marianne McGregor and bassist Norman Villeroux of Azamiah.
Marco Cafolla by Alan Donaldson. Ali Affleck by Lady Walker, New Orleans. Marianne McGregor by E Dingwall. AZAMIAH - Norman image by Harrison Reid. Joe Nichols. Dorian HM by Todd Weller. Nathan Somevi by Ifro Thomas. Sophie Bancroft by Lee Richardson. Tom Lyne by Kate O’Neil.
Other delegates in attendance will include musicians Nathan Somevi, Sophie Bancroft, Tom Lyne, and programmers from Edinburgh Jazz and Blues Festival, Glasgow Jazz Festival, Jazz At The Blue Lamp and Jazz Scotland.
Commenting on their hopes for jazzahead! 2025, Marco Cafolla of 2024 showcasing band Mama Terra said: “I’m looking forward to hearing and experiencing the showcases from some of the best around and helping to represent the Scottish music scene and all the great music and art we’re creating.
“I'm hoping to connect with new booking agents and labels, build on relationships I've developed and reconnect with this wonderful jazz community.”
As well as 4pm daily receptions at jazzahead! that will be open to all attending, a number of networking events will be held throughout the duration of the event to facilitate networking and connection building.
Creative Scotland’s Head of Music, Alan Morrison said: “In recent years, jazzahead! has become a major gateway for Scotland’s jazz sector to reach international markets, promoters and fellow musicians. Norman&Corrie are the fourth Scottish act since 2022 to be offered an official showcase performance at this prestigious event, proving that the eyes and ears of the world are focused on the brilliant music that’s currently flowing through our jazz scene. With a wider delegation representing the wealth of talent that exists among our home-based festivals and artists, jazzahead! is where we’ve established a distinct identity for Scottish jazz that’s a match for anything the rest of the world has to offer.
Background
Scotland at jazzahead! 2025.
Norman&Corrie will be performing Friday 25 April, 9pm to 9.30pm, Schlachthof.
There will be a special screening of Twa Double Doubles by Douglas Tyrrell Bunge on Saturday 26 April, 7pm to 8pm. Merging the artistry of a visual album with the depth of a documentary, Twa Double Doubles follows Scottish musicians Norman Willmore and Corrie Dick as they return to Norman’s ancestral home – a remote island in the North Sea. Exploring themes of folklore, fatherhood, and the challenges of making art outside the city, this 30-minute film offers a rich, intimate portrait of Shetlandic culture, capturing its beauty, history, and enduring mysteries.
Scotland will be at jazzahead! trade stand 6B15.
Learn more about Scotland’s presence at jazzahead!
Creative Scotland is the public body that supports culture and creativity across all parts of Scotland, distributing funding provided by the Scottish Government and The National Lottery, which, now in its 30th year, has supported over 14,600 projects with more than £501.9 million in funding through Creative Scotland and its predecessor, the Scottish Arts Council. Further information at creativescotland.com. Follow us on Facebook, LinkedIn, and Instagram. Learn more about the value of art and creativity in Scotland and join in at www.ourcreativevoice.scot.
Image credits
For showcasing artists: Norman&Corrie, image by Douglas Tyrrell-Bunge.
For delegate artists: Top row left to right: Marco Cafolla by Alan Donaldson. Ali Affleck by Lady Walker, New Orleans. Marianne McGregor by E Dingwall. AZAMIAH - Norman image by Harrison Reid. Joe Nichols. Dorian HM by Todd Weller. Nathan Somevi by Ifro Thomas. Sophie Bancroft by Lee Richardson. Tom Lyne by Kate O’Neil.
Media Contact
Olivia Carr, Media Relations and PR Officer
M: +44 7970 962 322