A Scottish Jazz Expo, Edinburgh's Jazz and Blues Festival, has benefited from £100,000 grant from the Scottish Government's £6m Edinburgh Festivals Expo Fund.

The festival, which attracts more than 50,000 people, is one of 12 Edinburgh festivals to benefit from a total cash windfall of £2m (for 2009-10) to develop Scottish-based events over the next three years. Culture minister Michael Russell said:"Edinburgh is the pre-eminent festival capital of the world and its festivals make a significant contribution to our economy, attracting visitors to Scotland from around the world.

"Our Expo Fund is designed to help maintain the global competitive edge of the festivals and to increase funding available to Scottish-based artists and practitioners. Last year's funding enabled the creation of a wide array of high quality artistic collaborations which premiered throughout the year, promoting the best of Scottish talent at home and abroad. Among events at The Scottish Jazz Expo will be the Jazz Festival Orchestra comprising 16 Scottish, European and American musicians for the first time.