Rob Adams Journalist

Scottish pianist Peter Johnstone joins an illustrious programme at Ambleside Days in the Lake District town from Thursday 3rd to Sunday 6th September.

 

 

Now in its tenth year, the weekend festival brings together major talents from the European jazz scene for concerts and spontaneous sessions.

 

 

The 2026 programme includes pianists Gwilym Simcock, Nikki Iles and Frank Harrison, Hungarian guitarist Zsofia Boros, Netherlands harmonica virtuoso Hermine Deurloo, French accordion master Vincent Peirani, vocalist Norma Winstone, saxophonists Tim Garland and Mark Lockheart and other top-line players.

 

 

Johnstone, who is the Scottish National Jazz Orchestra's resident pianist, has won international recognition for his first solo album, Resistance Is Futile, on which he concentrated on Hammond organ alongside tenor saxophonist Tommy Smith, vibist Joe Locke and drummer Alyn Cosker.

 

 

"I'm really looking forward to Ambleside Days," he says. "I've played at Zeffirellis in the town before. In fact, my album launch tour stopped off there last summer. So this will be an exciting weekend getting to play with some of these special talents."