It is festival season and that means that in the next month there is so many great comedy festivals to look forward to! This month we are looking at some of the great shows that you can see at the Edinburgh Fringe. So take note because we are going to give you all the information you need for just a handful of some of the great shows happening this year!

MILES

Location:   Summerhall – TechCube 0 (Venue 26)

Dates:  Jul 31st -11th, 13th-24th

Time: 18:00

Price: £17 Concessions £14.50

Ticket Link: https://www.edfringe.com/tickets/whats-on/miles

Hello! Tell us about yourself? 

Hey, I’m Jay, a professional Jazz trumpet player. I am originally from Vancouver in Canada, but now live in London. I’ve been lucky enough to have spent the last 20 years playing trumpet with some amazing people like Wynton Marsalis, Shabaka Hutchings, Amy Winehouse and Wizkid and when I’m not playing at Ronnie’s or touring, I present for Jazz FM and Worldwide FM, and I’ve also got my own Youtube documentary series Ear to the Ground. I’ve also launched my own music casting agency, SoulEndvr, connecting musicians to the world of TV, Film and commercials. And now, I get to add ACTOR to my ever expanding C.V! 

Tell us all about your show!

MILES. At Summerhall is all about my idol, Miles Davis, and his life in the lead up to him making the best selling jazz album of all time, Kind of Blue. 

I am a ‘Miles’ geek and I can bore you senseless about modal jazz, and the genius of Davis in creating how we appreciate music today. I have been touring this album with my band for the last couple of years, and audiences have been loving it!

I wanted a new challenge, to craft a story to go along with the music, as well as stretch myself creatively, so I reached out to Lauren Reed and Oliver Kaderbhai at :DELIRIUM: to see how we could collaborate. And here we are! We’re using Davis’s autobiography, my trumpet playing and never-before-heard recordings of Miles to explore addiction, reinvention, and the explosive cost of genius. It’s going to be epic! 

What other acts are you looking forward to seeing at the fringe?

Oh gosh, there’s so much! I don’t know how I am going to choose! Summerhall has got such a great music offering this year, so I will want to explore their programme, but I will also go and support my fellow Miles head, Colin, and the Colin Steele Quintet at the Jazz Bar. I am also going to cram in some comedy, so as a Canadian then it has to be All-Time Best Comedy Champion: War of the Flags. 

Have you done the fringe before? What are the key pieces of advice you have been given or would give to new groups or people performing at the fringe. 

This is my first time at Edinburgh Fringe Festival, and as someone in their 40s, all of my friends have said to REST! But hey, as a jazz musician, I am used to late bedtimes… It’s going to be the FOMO I get whilst I am in bed in the morning that will be the problem! 

If this is your first time – what are you looking forward to?

Being at Edinburgh Fringe feels like a real bucket list item for me. I am looking forward to immersing myself in all things culture. To have comedy, theatre, clowning, music, and more available 24/7 will be such a rush.

I’m looking forward to the incredible festival atmosphere and seeing as many shows as I can, and having a pint or two with as many fellow artists as I possibly can to talk about this crazy ride! 

Best thing about performing at the fringe?

The BEST thing about this whole opportunity is to be given the chance to try something new. I am a musician not an actor, so the Fringe for me is an opportunity to collaborate with great minds and tackle new creative challenges, and be involved in an exciting new project. I am just so psyched to be working with Ollie and the brilliant brains at :DELIRIUM: to make a really cool show. 

What is the hardest part about performing at the Fringe?

I am about to find out… It’s a daunting prospect, doing a brand new show, convincing audiences to come and see it, but the music of Kind Of Blue is such an incredible album, that I know as soon as I start playing every night, I will forget all about it. 

Do you bring anything special from home to make it feel more special whilst you are away?

As a travelling musician, I have learnt to travel light. My most prized possession, my trumpet, will be with me, and that’s all I need. But if I can convince my wife to come up and visit as well, then I will have everything I could possibly ask for. 

What are your best hacks to save money whilst at the Fringe?

I’m going to bring my little three level rice cooker which cooks lots of food at the same time. It’s my absolute favourite thing to take on tour with me and means I don’t eat loads of junk food! 

What would be your top three items every performer must take to the fringe?

1. An Open Mind 
2. An Open Heart 
3. LOADS of energy!!! 

What’s the secret to successful flyering?

Well, I’ve heard “having an act” is key so I guess me and the trumpet are going to have a great time together on the Mile. Just got to hit those high notes to get someone’s attention! 

If people want to find out more about you, where can they follow you on social media?

I’m @jayphelpsmusic or @iamjayphelps and the show is @miles.davis.play 

And Finally in three words – Why should people come and see the show? 

innovative, influential, cool… 

Thank you again for all your support in reading and engaging with the website.

If you want to help support the website then you can! You can buy Holly a cup of tea (and a biscuit!)