Preserving Scotland's Jazz History

Documenting Scotland’s long and active relationship with jazz through interviews, text, photography and audio.

The Scottish Jazz Archive captures stories, memories and materials that help keep the music alive, offering future generations a deeper understanding of Scotland’s place in jazz history.

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Douglas Richardson Collection

A collection of images captured by intrepid photographer Douglas Richardson of jazz in Edinburgh pubs during the 1960s.

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Gordon Wright Collection

Photographs spanning the history of jazz in Scotland from the 1920s to the 2000s collected or taken by lifelong jazz fan, Gordon Wright.

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John Latham Collection

A selection from the Sandy Brown Archive that was established and maintained by John Latham, now kindly transferred for safekeeping to the SJA.

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Keith Bruce Collection

Programmes and ephemera relating to the Glasgow Jazz Festival donated by former Arts Editor at the Glasgow Herald, Keith Bruce.

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Ken Mathieson Collection

A broad range of materials relating to jazz in Scotland. Donated by drummer and founding director of the Glasgow Jazz Festival, Ken Mathieson.

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Phil Croal Photo Collection

Photographs taken by Phil Croal of gigs presented during the 1970s and early ‘80s by Scottish jazz promoters, Platform of which his brother Ian was a founder.

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Wilma Fisher Collection

Posters, programmes and ephemera collected over a lifetime of concert attendances by avid jazz fan, Wilma Fisher kindly donated by her son, Alan Fisher.

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SJA Originals

Content and oral histories originated by the Scottish Jazz Archive.

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We're currently testing our new browse-and-search feature, which allows you to explore the archive in full.

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From the archive

In conversation with Fionna Duncan. Part of a commissioned series of interviews recorded in 2017 by the Scottish Jazz Archive.

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Welcome to the Scottish Jazz Archive (SJA) website. The SJA is dedicated to preserving and promoting Scotland's rich history and heritage of jazz music. You can find out more about the archive's aims, objectives, and history on our about page and read the news relating to the archive and Scottish jazz.

On this site, you can watch interviews with Scottish jazz musicians, read histories related to the development of jazz in Scotland and by Scottish musicians, and browse specially curated photographic collections (coming soon!).

If you are interested in assisting the archive through volunteering time, donating resources and/or materials, or through any other means, we are pleased to hear from you via the support SJA page where you can find details on how to get involved. If you have any other queries relating to the archive, then please navigate to the contact page to get in touch.

From the archive

The Phil Croal Collection documents a selection of gigs promoted in Scotland by Platform in the 1970s and early '80s. Below is a small taster of more than 1000 photos held by the SJA.

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