Jazz at Lunchtime: Ian Millar & Dominic Spencer, The Novotel Edinburgh, 23 August 2026
Much in the same way as this accomplished, Edinburgh-based jazz duo tour in their old, adapted ambulance around the various nooks and crannies of the UK, playing in many a village hall and arts centre, so too the nine tune (plus encore) set list stravaiged through a list of well-kent Standards, interspersed with some of saxophonist Ian Millar‘s own, equally melodious compositions.
This one hour, lunchtime concert took place in the café bar of Novotel Edinburgh Centre, which some of us may recall as the former site of alternative, punk and goth pub, Tap ‘o Lauriston. However, for this Fringe-long run – the duo’s 21st Fringe outing – Ian Millar’s tenor and soprano saxes with Dominic Spencer’s keyboard provided the audience with as delightfully calming a set as one could hope for.
Opening with Jerome Kern’s lovely Yesterdays, Millar’s controlled, breathy style matched this mellifluous piece perfectly, while Spencer’s keyboard was the ideal accompaniment. The attentive audience further settled into their comfy chairs as this was followed up with a soothing rendition of Mancini’s Days of Wine and Roses. In this lulling and interestingly at the same time, stimulating manner, the set unfolded, with some brief keyboard solos and charming chat from Spencer, punctuating.
For this listener some of the highlights were the 3 tunes Millar composed – High Five, Coffee Time, and Midnight – and one hopes that Millar may play even more of his original material in future years.
So, if you are nearby and feel you might benefit from a leisurely hour of beautiful melodies that are presented in an accessible (yet not patronizing) way, head to The Novotel for 1pm. The show continues daily until the end of The Fringe.
