Islay Jazz Festival announces 2025 dates and new partnership with leading distillery, Caol Ila.
Thursday, July 03, 2025
Jazz Scotland has announced that Caol Ila, which translates in Gaelic to ‘The Sound of Islay’, will be headline sponsor of the 2025 Islay Jazz Festival, one of Scotland’s biggest celebrations of jazz
We have received the following press release;
The Sound of Islay is Jazz: Islay Jazz Festival announces 2025 dates and new partnership with leading distillery, Caol Ila
Jazz Scotland has announced that Caol Ila, which translates in Gaelic to ‘The Sound of Islay’, will be headline sponsor of the 2025 Islay Jazz Festival, one of Scotland’s biggest celebrations of jazz music.
The Caol Ila Islay Jazz Festival will take place between 19-21 September 2025 and boasts a line-up of jazz musicians from across Scotland, and the world, who will play at intimate venues around the island including Caol Ila and Lagavulin distilleries.
Each year the festival draws jazz and Scotch whisky fans from across the globe who are looking to enjoy the compelling combination of music and whisky, with the stunning backdrop of views of the island’s breathtaking landscape and its symphony of iconic whisky distilleries.
Festival visitors to the island will have the exclusive opportunity to savour a special dram of Caol Ila, crafted specifically to celebrate this annual music and culture event. This limited-edition release will be unveiled soon.
This is the first year that Caol Ila will be headline sponsor of the festival which has been supported by its parent company, Diageo, for 15 years, previously having Lagavulin as the title sponsor. Diageo has confirmed it is extending its longstanding collaboration with Jazz Scotland until 2027.
Caol Ila, or “The Sound of Islay”, has more than just a fitting name as a headline sponsor - the distillery is the perfect place for visitors to embrace Islay. With a passionate and knowledgeable team on hand, plus views across to the Paps of Jura, and a liquid with deep roots to the island’s history and culture. The Caol Ila distillery visitor experience, was beautifully reimagined and reopened in 2022 as part of Diageo’s £185 million investment in Scotch whisky tourism, invites guests to explore the distillery’s rich heritage and stunning coastal views.
Jazz Scotland is a non-profit organisation that promotes and supports jazz and related music in Scotland. It will continue the Islay Jazz Festival’s approach of bringing together a wide range of world-class musicians from Scotland and beyond to create exciting and unique collaborations at venues around the island.
The Islay Arts Association is a longstanding partner of the jazz festival as part of its ongoing support for music and culture on Islay.
“The Festival is going from strength to strength, with this sponsorship of Caol Isla being an exciting development” said Stuart Todd, Chairman of the Islay Arts Association. “A particularly varied programme of concerts is well into planning. We look forward to welcoming fine musicians and dedicated jazz fans to Islay , joining locals at events in the distilleries and other venues across this beautiful island.”
Eleanor Gilles, Brand Home Manager at Caol Ila and Lagavulin, said:
“Jazz Festival brings with it a real buzz to the island, and it’s great to have Caol Ila as the headline sponsor for the first time this year. With a name like ‘The Sound of Islay’, it feels like Caol Ila was destined to host such a brilliant celebration of music. Guests can expect some standout performances from world-leading jazz musicians, drams, cocktails and panoramic views of some of Scotland’s stunning scenery - we can’t wait to welcome visitors new and old.”
“We’re delighted that our friends at Diageo have committed to supporting the festival for the next 3 years,” said John Youngs, Jazz Scotland’s CEO.
“This multi-year support, which matches Creative Scotland’s multi-year funding for the event, ensures that we can continue to deliver a programme of the highest quality for artists and audiences alike over the longer-term. That is exciting!”, Jazz Scotland Chair of the board- Neil GIbbons
Timeline;
From 24 July 2025 Festival Pass will be announced and on sale. The Festival Pass will be valid for a full-suite of concerts at a discounted price, priority booking and more, and is the best way to lock in for an immersive festival experience. There will only be 40 limited festival passes available, so be sure to keep an eye on your emails for an announcement of when sales open to avoid disappointment.
Local Islay residents will also be eligible for priority booking and discounts for the festival. Sign-ups for this will also open from 24 July 2025
The musicians visiting the island will also be gradually announced during this period. As an example, for the musicians who visited in 2024 see here -
https://www.islayarts.org.uk/2024/08/26/lagavulin-islay-jazz-festival/
4 - 10 August 2025 We announce the full programme of concerts and events. The priority booking window opens for festival pass holders and Islay residents.
10 August 2025 Bookings open to the general public.
Tickets are available online only through the Jazz Scotland Website.
https://jazzscotland.com/
Creative Scotland is the public body that supports culture and creativity across all parts of Scotland, distributing funding provided by the Scottish Government and The National Lottery. Further information at creativescotland.com. Follow us on Twitter, Facebook and Instagram. Learn more about the value of art and creativity in Scotland and join in at http://www.ourcreativevoice.scot.
The Festival is promoted by specialist jazz promoters, Jazz Scotland, and The Islay Arts Association, and receives funding from Creative Scotland.
The Festival has been running since 1999. Since then the Festival has promoted musicians from over 25 countries, but has a special place for Scottish jazz musicians and audiences.
Islay Jazz Festival’s website is https://islayjazzfestival.co.uk/