Edinburgh Fringe 2026
Tenement Jazz Band: Interactive Live Jazz for Kids
Tenement Jazz Band
Genre: Children's Theatre, Jazz, Music
Venue: The Jazz Bar
Festival: Edinburgh Fringe
Low Down
Stepping down into the dark basement of The Jazz Bar may feel a world away from your usual children’s shows, but have no doubt this is a real musical highlight in the children’s fringe calendar. Join The Tenement Jazz Band for an hour of lively music and fun. Clever opportunities for audience participation and great music make for an inclusive show that parents and children of all ages will enjoy.
Review
Who knew a jazz bar would be the ideal sensory environment for little and big kids alike? With just a bright playmat next to the mirrored bar and a cupboard for prams, the venue is easily transformed into a child- and baby-friendly experience (although be prepared to fold your buggy and carry it down the stairs). On the cosy Jazz Bar stage, we are joined by musicians playing clarinet, trumpet, piano and double bass. The double bass player takes a confident lead in guiding us through an hour of interactive songs. Dance moves, call and response, and props are all incorporated into a well-paced set.
The band themselves are clearly at ease in engaging with the children, which makes for a relaxing and easy experience for parents. Much more than just toddlers bouncing around to jazz, this is a rhythmic mix of music, interludes, activities and opportunities to interact with the music and instruments. The band and their instruments are introduced with care in simple and fun child-friendly ways appropriate for all ages. Activities included musical bumps and musical statues, which kept everyone engaged. This show fosters a playful appreciation of each instrument in the band, with opportunities to guess which instrument can play the highest or lowest, as well as exploring animal sounds. The patter of the band brought some humour for parents and children alike. Towards the end of the show, shakers, steel tongue drums and other small instruments were handed out – well timed to re-engage the wee ones without the whole performance being taken over by parents having to negotiate sharing of instruments. At the end of the show, there was time for the children to get close and play the double bass.
Altogether, this was a lovely first experience of live music for younger children. The relaxed vibe of the band, the music and the venue felt particularly inclusive. I highly recommend this show because whether you have a babe in arms, a busy toddler or an inquisitive pre-schooler, they will find something to enjoy in this show. Notably, I left feeling not just like I’d taken my child to a show, but like I’d had an hour of listening to great music too.
