The 31st annual Edinburgh Jazz and Blues Festival starts in little over a week - and makes a highly civilized introduction to the Festival season before the madness of the Fringe begins.  But if you're a true bargain hunter, you've no time to take it easy... because a handy discount deal expires this Friday.

About the Jazz and Blues Festival 

Courtesy Edinburgh Jazz and Blues Festival

Making good use of its pre-Fringe timing, the Jazz and Blues Festival takes temporary possession of some of the city's best venues, including the International Festival's Hub and the much-loved Queen's Hall.  The blues part of the programme is hosted at the Jam House, Jools Holland's live music venue in the former BBC Broadcasting House in Edinburgh's New Town.  Sadly, in a blow to both the Jazz Festival and the Fringe, the antique Famous Spiegeltent isn't coming to Edinburgh this year - but the equally venerable Bosco Theatre will continue the tradition of hosting music in George Square.

Browsing and booking

The full 2009 programme is now available to browse on the Festival's website and, handily, you can see all the events together on one at-a-glance page.  It's worth checking all that's on, because there are some decent deals for block booking - you'll get 10% off tickets for 5 different shows, rising to 20% off if you book 15.

To get your hands on this tasty discount, you'll need to seal the deal by this Friday.  Booking is run through the International Festival's Hub box office.  To get the discount, you need to phone: call the Hub on 0131 473 2000.