Edinburgh Jazz and Blues Festival: Carnival begins

The Stooges Brass Band from New Orleans is performing at the Edinburgh Jazz and Blues Festival

Brass bands, Brazilian dancers and accordion players are to take part in a carnival in the capital as part of the Edinburgh Jazz and Blues Festival.

The free event replaces the Cavalcade which used to mark the start of festival season in Edinburgh.

The long-running Cavalcade was cancelled last year after the event's organiser resigned.

The Edinburgh Jazz and Blues Festival runs for 10 days, with about 70 artists playing at 14 venues across the city.

The carnival will take place in Princes Street and Princes Street Gardens, with musicians, dancers and street entertainers touring a circuit from 14:00.

The jazz festival's full programme line-up includes veteran New Orleans musician Dr John and the only UK performance by The Manhattan Transfer.

Brian Fallon, Edinburgh Jazz and Blues Festival's chairman, said: "Musicians from every continent are coming to play, across all the jazz styles.

"Our aim is to appeal to everyone, from jazz and blues aficionados to first-timers, young and not so young, in formal and informal concert settings.

"And look at the value, high-quality music at very reasonable prices."

The festival is the first of seven in Edinburgh in the coming weeks, including the International Festival, The Fringe and the Book Festival.

The Edinburgh International Film Festival took place last month.