Coronavirus: Jazz festival cancelled

The event had been due to take place over four days in June.

However organisers have today confirmed that all Langtoun Jazz concerts have been cancelled for the foreseeable future, including the festival.

The news comes as a blow to organisers, but they say the current circumstances have left them with no choice.

But they will come back swinging as soon as they can.

Plans were well advanced for the event, which would have included a jazz picnic in the Merchant’s Garden and an afternoon of free music on the Esplanade with food and drink providers adding to the atmosphere.

The event was also hoping to raise cash for Kirkcaldy Foodbank.

Organisers had been awarded £7700 of National Lottery funding to support the new festival in particular free community events.

The Langtoun Jazz Festival was due to run from June 25 to 28.

Grace Black, Langtoun Jazz, secretary, said: “Of course we are disappointed but there was no choice in these extraordinary circumstances.

“The bulk of the funding is unspent and will go towards new events as soon as normal life resumes, and hopefully the festival will come back swinging next year.”

She pointed out that it will be the musicians and support staff who will feel the effects most.

“Over 20 bands have lost not just this booking but many others too,” she said.

“Many musicians are self-employed so these are really difficult times for performers across all sectors of the arts.

“Music fans could help by continuing to buy and download music and, if you are an amateur musician then why not use your free time to brush up your skills with some professional online tuition.

“We all need to support each other through this crisis.”