For a quarter of a century Glasgow has swayed, bopped and swung to the sound of jazz.

The Glasgow Jazz Festival is set to celebrate its 25th birthday this year, with another varied line-up of acts from around the world appearing from tomorrow until July 3. Here are 25 reasons why Glasgow adores the jazz festival...

1: The festival played a key role in Glasgow becoming European City Of Culture back in 1990. When those behind the city's bid examined what their competitors had, they realised Glasgow lacked a jazz festival - and decided that needed to be rectified.

2: It's risen to become one of the biggest jazz festivals in the world. Over 80 gigs will take place this year, appearing at 24 different venues all across the city.

3: The festival's always lured some of the biggest names. Past performers include Ray Charles, Oscar Peterson and, most famously, Miles Davies, who played the SECC in 1990.

4: Some of the stars who've graced Glasgow in the past will be back this year to join in the 25th birthday celebrations. Check out Cleo Laine, aged 83, Carol Kidd, who started her habit of playing shoeless at a previous Glasgow gig, or guitar virtuoso Martin Taylor, all festival veterans.

5: This year's bash continues to attract top names. Ramsay Lewis performs his classic Sun Goddess album, while Leon Russell is at the City Halls on Friday night.

6: It's not just the big venues such as the City Halls and the Old Fruitmarket which play host to gigs, as there's plenty of great music to catch in the likes of Brel, Platform in Easterhouse and at the Tron Theatre.

17: The Fruitmarket's become famed for its club nights, too, with Groove Collective appearing in 1997. This year actor and TV presenter Craig Charles brings his Funk and Soul show to the venue on Friday July 1.

8: This year's programme includes a strand covering Jazz On Film. That means a host of movies with jazz at their heart are being shown, from Jazz On A Summer's Day telling the story of the 1958 Newport Jazz Festival to All Night Long, and its take on Othello.

9: The Old Fruitmarket wouldn't even exist as a venue if it wasn't for the Jazz Festival. Back in 1993, the festival's then director, Jim Smith, asked the city council if he could use the venue, which at the time was a council car park. Jools Holland and his big band became the first act to play there.

10: When the Fruitmarket had to be refurbished, from 2003 to 2005, George Square took its place as the heart of the festival, hosting free open-air concerts and events.

11: George Square also famously saw the crooning likes of Tony Bennett and Jack Jones. The Evening Times declared that Tony Bennett lost his heart in San Francisco but he can pick it up in Glasgow any time after he wowed the crowd in 2003.

12: There were many stories from the days in George Square, including the tale of a fan who lost her wedding ring in a portaloo (it was thankfully recovered) and the tables and chairs that sank into the tarmac due to the heat!

13: Goin' doon the watter's been a Festival tradition, too, thanks to the Riverboat Shuffle, where a trip on the Waverley is accompanied by some Dixie jazz. This year's event is this Friday and features Penman's Jazzmen, Kit Carey's Jazz Band and Dave Wilson & the Uptown Shufflers on board.

14: The Festival's been a record-breaker, too. In 2002 465 couples of all ages broke the Guinness World Record for salsa dancing.

15: Like the music in James Bond? Check out the Johnny 7 at Brel on Saturday, as the group present a jazz tribute to John Barry, who famously scored 11 Bond flicks, amongst other films.

16: There are always unusual names popping up. Former Arab Strap man Aidan Moffat, for instance, who appears this year with his latest musical compadre Bill Wells.

17: The late night jazz club has always been a hit with musos and punters alike. Previously in the Hospitality Inn and the Marriott Hotel, the club is now at the Thistle Hotel. It lets acts unwind. You'll never know who may take the stage to play into the wee hours.

18: The festival has always embraced all forms of the genre. Check out Ethio-jazz pioneer Mulatu Astatke, in his first Scottish appearance, today at Platform in Easterhouse.

19: The festival programmes have always been richly diverse, such as the 2007 festival having a theme to mark the bicentenary of the abolition of slavery, complete with talks as well as gigs.

20: Big names may be plentiful, but there's always been a commitment to Scottish jazz. The festival's long-running Homegrown stand has ensured a platform for local talent.

21: Free gigs can also be found when the jazz fest is on. This year sees gigs at locations such as the Rio Café, the Thistle Hotel and Tiffin Rooms, amongst others.

22: Oscar winners get in on the act. Composer Michel Legrand, famed for Windmills Of My Mind, will be at the City Halls on July 2.

23: The event's always had a "the show must go on" edge. One original headliner, Sarah Vaughn, slipped in the shower, damaging her cruciate ligament shortly before her 1987 gig. She took to the stage and wowed fans anyway - even though she needed a wheelchair offstage.

24: The festival's always tried to help youngsters get involved, from the Schools Big Band competition to having acts take part in community tours. They programme two local youth jazz orchestras to play each year.

25: It is the longest-running programmed festival in the city - long may it continue!