The Festival is reborn

The rebirth of the Festival in 2006 occurred through the efforts of the Jazz club and a number of venues in the town. Supported by South Lanarkshire Council and Lanarkshire Chamber of Commerce the organisation of event was an excellent example of true partnership working as the Jazz Club, the venues and commercial sponsors worked to promote the town far and wide.

The organisers were delighted to welcome back Martin Taylor as the main attraction but were also pleased to be able to offer a variety of Jazz across the various venues catering for all tastes. Another important aspect of the festival has been the Jazz club's belief that Jazz is not only for listening to and the introduction of late night Jam Sessions were local musicians, visitors and the named acts could get together proved extremely popular.

2007

In 2007 Martin Taylor was again the headline act and the organisers were delighted to see even more venues taking part offering a range of entertainment over the whole weekend. Following feedback from the previous year's festival attendees the programme started slightly later in the evening and artists "breaks" were co-ordinated to allow festival goers to move between venues.

2008

The 2008 Festival was extended to become the Hamilton Jazz & Blues Festival with The Scottish National Jazz Orchestra headlining the launch in the Town House. Directed by Tommy Smith presenting Rhapsody in Blue the opening night also featured Brian Kellock, plus the music of Joe Williams & Ray Charles featuring Scotland's premier Blues singer Tam White.