Today I met with one of the greatest personalities in jazz, blues and gospel music -- Big Al Carson, star of 'One Mo' Time,' legendary horn-player and famous New Orleans resident. Taking a break from playing five sets a night at the Funky Pirate on Bourbon Street, he's flown over for the week-long Edinburgh International Jazz and Blues Festival. And this afternoon, I got to see him play *for free* at the Grassmarket Mardi Gras, accompanied by the sensational Sydney Zenith Jazzband, playing a traditional 'Sounds of New Orleans' set. I suppose I'm just taking the opportunity to boast, really...Other good sets included one from Brass Impact, a Scottish youth brass band, and George Washingmachine (who sometimes merge into another band named The Nairobi Trio), who play celtic-inspired blues, and have a truly amazing fiddle player.Tomorrow I will be seeing Big Al again at the Princes Street 'Jazz on a Summer's Day' open-air concert... again for free. ::grins::