ooc CHEATHAM may be 91 years old, but the veteran trumpeter still plays a demanding instrument with great emotional impact. He goes all the way back to the early days of jazz, and played with legendary artists like Bessie Smith and Ma Bainey while still a novice, before willingly succumbing to the pervasive influence of louis Armstrong. Boc is a prestigious act at this year’s Edinburgh International Jazz and Blues Festival, which has had a ditiicult time this year. In the wake ot budgetary restrictions, several planned big name concerts had to go on the back- burner, leaving the programme more dominated by traditional jazz than it might otherwise have been. (Kenny Mathieson) Edinburgh International Jazz and Blues Festival runs Sat 3—Sun 11 August. Doc Cheatham features as a guest in two major concerts: at the Queen ’s llall (Mon 5) and the Festival Theatre (Wed 7), and plays his own slots at The Festival Club in the George Hotel (Mon 5/Tue 6). See Jazz Festival preview and listings, pages
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GATEWAY TO THE SILK ROAD is a new exhibition of artefacts from Edinburgh's twin city Xi‘an. capital ol'China during
the classical T'ang dynasty (Al) bl8—906).
Among the l()() objects on display are monumental bronze statues from the Zhou dynasty ( l lth century—770 BC). a pig- shaped jade pillow from the Han dynasty
(Al) 25—220). and from the Tang dynasty.
this irate-looking camel-owner in painted
earthenware whose name. it seems. is Hu. Gateway 1;, The Silk Road is at the City
A rt Centre. Edinbuijeh. Sat 3 August—Sat 5 ()('I(l/)(’I'.
The List’s at-a-glance guide to the highlights of the tortnight ahead. . ,I' t
I Music: Oasis The bad boys of the Brits swan into Balloch on a wave of hysteria and two albums' worth of fine songs. Expect much in the way of singalongs. lighter-waving and laddishness. Looks like all the Gallaghers' muckers will be joining them as support as well. Bucktastic! See/eature. Blllltlt'll Castle Country Park. Loch Lomond. Sat 3/Sun 4.
I Film: James And The Giant Peach Roald Dahl‘s much loved children‘s novel comes to colourful life via the same stop-motion animation process as The Nightmare Before Christmas. A big screen famin adventure that stays true to the author‘s surreal vision. it features vocal talents ranging from Susan Sarandon to Simon Callow. See preview and review. General release. from Fri 2.
I Days Out: Traquair Fair Two days of family fun and frolics are on the cards for this year‘s Traquair bash. Over 35 acts and ICC stalls make this the biggest event yet for Traquair House. Look out for the Punk And Judy Show, the tour guide from Hell and music from the likes of Savourna Stevenson. Salsa Celtica and The Hurnpf Family. See Days Out. Traquair House. lnner/eithen. Sat 3/Sun 4.
I Books: Popcorn Ben Elton. the Motormouth ofthe 80s. returns with a new novel about a Hollywood director whose stylishly violent films have made him a cult hero. Unfortunately. two real life serial killers decide to pay him a visit.
See preview. Popcorn is published by Simon and St'huster. Mon 5 at f I 2.99. I Theatre: lligh Society Cole Porter's frightfully debonaire musical. featun'ng such classic songs as ‘What A Swell Party This ls'. ‘Who Wants To Be A Millionaire?‘ and the highly suggestive ‘Let's Do lt‘. reaches Scotland. With Tracy Childs. Martin Fisher and Michael Howe in the Grace Kelly, Frank Sinatra and Bing Crosby roles. High Society makes its way to the West End via Edinburgh and Glasgow‘s King's Theatres.
See review. King's. Edinburgh. Tue 30—Sat IO; K ittg Is. Glasgow. Mon I2—Sal l7.
The List 26 Jul-8 Aug I996 3