New brass project led by trombonist, composer and arranger Gareth Roberts and featuring Gethin Liddington – trumpet, Alastair Stewart – sousaphone, Mark O’ Connor – drum kit.
Double bill seen by Ian at an Sy ; Gigs event at St. Alkmund’s Church, Shrewsbury, 28/03/2026.
PEIRIANT - Rose Linn-Pearl – violin, bass pedals, Dan Linn-Pearl – guitars, synthesiser, electronics, bass pedals, cabasa, vibraslap
AWEN ENSEMBLE - Emyr Penry Dance – trumpet, flugelhorn, vocals, Saul Duff – tenor saxophone, Glen Leach – piano, vocals, Ruari Graham – guitar, vocals, Joe Wilkes – double bass, Eddie Bowes – drums
Quintet led by French-Armenian pianist and composer Yessaï Karapetian. Also featuring Norayr Gapoyan, duduk, Avag Margaryan, blul, David Paycha, drums Damien Varaillon, double bass.
Trio led by drummer / composer Romarna Campbell and featuring Mutale Chashi - electric bass and Andy Bunting - keyboards.
Trio led by the American blues harmonica player, vocalist and songwriter Mark Hummel with support from locally based musicians led by guitarist / vocalist Mike Bird. Seen by Ian at Mid Wales Rhythm & Blues Club, The Muse, Brecon, 22/03/2026.
New eltro-acoustic trio led by saxophonist and composer Mark Lockheart and also featuring bassist Huw V Williams and drummer Jay Davis.
Jack Mac (Jack McDougall) – tenor sax, Nick Kacal – double bass. Ryan Thrupp – drums with Rob Luft – guitar.
Sextet led by the American musician and composer Kenny Garrett. Kenny Garrett - Alto saxophone, electric piano and vocals, Keith Brown - Piano & Electric Piano
Melvis Santa - Vocals and Gourd, Corcoran Holt - Double Bass, Rudy Bird - Percussion, Ronald Bruner Jr - Drums.
One off trio led by Lithuanian born, London based guitarist, singer and songwriter Ruta Di and the Cardiff based rhythm section of Paula Gardiner (double bass) and Liz Exell (drums). The trio performed at The Muse, Brecon on 13/03/2026.
Young Bristol based quartet. Matt Hill – trumpet, flugelhorn, Lucian McCauley – keyboard, Ollie Hatch – electric bass, vocals, George Milnes – drums.
Israeli born pianist and composer with eight full length albums to his credit, his latest release being “The Guesthouse” (Naive Records, 2026)
Glasgow based punk jazz trio featuring Mike Parr-Burman – guitar, bass guitar, electronics, Jamie Stockbridge – alto & baritone saxophones, Alex Palmer – drums, percussion. Album releases are “Fill Up Your Lungs and Bellow” (2017), “Not Blue Light” (2020) and “waxing / waning” (2026).
Trio led by trumpeter and composer Tomos Williams and featuring Aidan Thorne (double bass) and Matt Holmes (drums).
Trio led by pianist and arranger Adam Wakeman dedicated to playing jazz arrangements of Black Sabbath songs. Also featuring Jack Tustin or Joe Lee (double bass) and Arthur Newell (drums).
Sextet led by alto saxophonist and composer Liam Brennan and featuring James Romaine – alto sax, James Borland – trumpet, Simeon May – tenor sax, bass clarinet, Josh Vadiveloo- double bass, Kai Chareunsy – drums. Eponymous debut live album recorded 2023, released 2026.
Oxford based jazz / electronica trio led by pianist and composer Rich Meehan. With Paul Glover (drums, percussion), Adam Cole (double bass).
Venezuelan born guitarist and composer now living in London. His latest album “Sugar on my Blackbeans”, released February 2026, features a London based band with Quentin Collins – trumpet, Liam Dunachie – organ, Shane Forbes –drums, Will Fry – percussion.
Quartet led by guitarist and composer Billy Marrows and featuring Chris Williams (alto sax), Huw V Williams (double bass) and Jay Davis (drums). Debut album “Dancing On Bentwood Chairs” released February 2026.
Swiss harpist, vocalist, electronic musician and composer. Solo recording “Unspoken” released in February 2026.
Young, all female octet that came together via the Tomorrow’s Warriors development programme. Hannah Clifton, Klara Devlin – trumpets, Mali Sheard – alto sax, Keira Chakraborty – flute, Kezia Abuoma – keyboard, Tami Adebanjo – guitar, Holly Reinhardt – double bass, Miranda Radford – drums.
One off quartet co-led by alto saxophonist Glen Manby and guitarist Lizze Beesley that appeared at Brecon Jazz Club, 10/02/2026. Also featuring Ashley John Long – double bass, Tom Williams – drums.
The house band of Black Mountain Jazz, Abergavenny (Jack Mac (Jack McDougall) –sax , Nick Kacal – double bass. Ryan Thrupp – drums) with London based guest John Crawford (piano).
Quartet led by pianist and composer Nathan Hayward and featuring Sam Miles – tenor saxophone, Marcus Penrose – double bass, Simon Whiting – drums. The group takes its name from the writings of the poet and priest Gerard Manley-Hopkins (1844-89).
Quartet led by the Israeli tenor saxophonist and composer Asaf Harris and featuring Guy Moskovich – piano, Omri Ever Hadani – double bass and David Sirkis – drums. Album “I Thought I Was Ready” released January 2026.
Double bill seen by Ian at an Sy ;Gigs event at the Darwin Room in Shrewsbury library on 1st February 2026.
Christopher Haddow – guitars, lap steel guitar, tape loops, electronics.
Jonny Nash – guitar, vocals, electronics, Tomo Katsurada – guitar, electronics.
London based pianist, keyboard player, composer and educator. Latest album “In Those Remote Stars” released January 2026.
Compositions by bassist John Goldsby and arranged by Bob Mintzer and others are played by the WDR Big Band on the album “Big Band Bass” (2025).
Midlands based jazz / funk ensemble co-led by bassist / vocalist Tom Clarke-Hill and saxophonist / flautist Andy Shillingford. Also featuring Chris Bowden – tenor sax, flute, Fliss Evans – baritone sax, Alex Astbury – trumpet, flugelhorn, Dave Sear – trombone, Arran Shanghavi – keyboards, Tom Morgan – guitar, Andy Brotherton – drums.
Gypsy jazz trio led by the Breton guitarist Jean Guyomarc’h and featuring the Welsh musicians Gareth Evans (guitar) and Ashley John Long (double bass). This line up performed at Brecon Jazz Club 20/01/2026.
Midlands based trio playing jazz adaptations of classical material. Featuring Richard Hughes (piano), Simon Smith (double bass) and Steve Street (drums). Debut album “Introducing Fugue & Groove” released October 2025.
Drummer, vocalist and composer Davide Giovannini, with his Minas Project, dedicated to the artists and music from the Brazilian State of Minas Gerais.
An improvising international ‘power trio’ featuring the Japanese guitarist Makoto Kawabata, Belgian bassist Guy Segers and British drummer / vocalist Charles Hayward. Album “Live in Brighton” (Discus Music) recorded in 2013 but released in 2025.
Norwegian / Estonian trio led by pianist and composer Sondre Moshagen and featuring bassist Kertu Aer and drummer Steinar Heide Bø. Debut album “Lightning” (Jazzland Recordings, 2025) produced by the British pianist, organist and composer Kit Downes.
Duo of UK trumpeter Chris Hodgkins and American pianist Lenore Raphael. Album “Pennies From Heaven” released on Hodgkins’ Bell Records imprint in 2025.
Jazz-flamenco collaboration between the Barcelona based musicians Chicuelo (Juan Gomez) on guitar and Marco Mezquida on piano augmented by cajonista / percussionist Paco de Mode.
UK-Swiss collaboration featuring Anglo-Irish saxophonist Dee Byrne and the Swiss musicians Oli Kuster (synths, electronics) and Xavier Kaeser (drums). Digital album “Drowned Circuits” released in autumn 2025 via Efpi Records.
Cork born, Hertfordshire based pianist and composer John Donegan leads a trio featuring Bernard O’Neill on double bass and John Daly at the drums. Their album “Interfuse” (December 2025) includes several guest performances by Michael Buckley on tenor & soprano saxophones.
Vastly experienced British pianist, organist and keyboard player with three album releases under his own name. Also a prolific sideman across a variety of musical gentes.
Quartet led by former Loose Tubes flautist, keyboard player and composer Eddie Parker. Also featuring Rob Luft (guitar), Dave Manington (double bass) and Jay Davis (drums).
Double bill of artists at Sy ; Gigs, Shrewsbury, 06/12/2025. Liverpool based guitarist and composer M. Haiux followed by the international duo Merope featuring the Lithuanian singer and kankles player Indrė Jurgelevičiūtė’ and the Belgian guitarist and sound artist Bert Cools.
Quintet co-led by keyboardist, composer and arranger Janette Mason and vocalist and songwriter Juliet Roberts.
London based singer, guitarist and songwriter.
Irish double bassist, composer and bandleader. Album “All in Motion” (2025) features an international quartet and is released on the Belgian record label Step By Step.
Nepalese born drummer, percussionist, vocalist, composer and lyricist now based in London. Debut album “Across The Sea” released October 2025.
Chris Cobbson – guitars, banjo, n’goni, Andrew Hooley – tenor saxophone, clarinet, Paul Jefferies – double bass, electric bass, Mike Cypher – drums.
Long running UK jazz and funk outfit with four full length albums to its credit led by kayboard player and composer Tom O’Grady. Also featuring Tom Smith – tenor & soprano saxophones, bass clarinet, Tiago Coimbra – electric bass, Ric Elsworth – drum kit, Oli Blake – percussion.
Young pianist and composer of Irish-Danish heritage now based in Cardiff. Debut album “No Expectations” (Flaming Sword Records) released May 2025. With Marcus Baber (double Bass), Sam Green (drums).
One off international quartet led by guitarists Steven Kirby and Deirdre Cartwright featuring Nick Kacal (double bass) and Ryan Thrupp (drums), plus guest guitarist John Close. Seen at Brecon Jazz Club, 14/10/2025.
Scottish saxophonist, flautist and composer, previously known as Helena Kay. First album as Harben Kay, “The World I Live In” released in October 2025.
House band at Black Mountain Jazz, Abergavenny featuring Jack Mac (Jack McDougall) – tenor & soprano sax, Nick Kacal – double bass. Ryan Thrupp – drums with guest Nigel Price - guitar.
A collaboration between the Cardiff based Siglo Section Big Band, led by trumpeter Loz Collier, and the Welsh vocalist and songwriter Kat Rees, as seen at the 2025 Wall2Wall Jazz Festival in Abergavenny.
Birmingham born guitarist, composer and producer who has worked extensively in the UK and US and is currently based on the Isle of Wight.
Ensemble led by drummer Carl Gorham dedicated to playing music associated with the late pianist and composer George Shearing.
Duo collaboration between the British pianist Johnny Richards and the American drummer Dave King. Album “The New Awkward” released on Richards’ False Door label in September 2025.
London based drummer, pianist, composer, conductor and bandleader. His exceptional debut album “Tacet Trust” (Fresh Sound New Talent, 2025) features Josh Short – trumpet, flugelhorn, Rasmus Sorensen – piano, Nico Kloffer – double bass.
London based tenor saxophonist and composer. A member of Howl Quartet he also leads his own quartet featuring guitarist Billy Marrows, bassist Flo Moore and drummer Rod Oughton. This group released the digital EP “Carolina Peaches” in September 2025.
Trio led by Coventry based drummer Aaron Moloney with guest saxophonist Vasilis Xenopoulos. Aaron Moloney – drums, Keenan Ngo – piano, Mark Trounson – double bass
with Vasilis Xenopoulos – tenor & alto saxophones.
US born, UK based guitarist and composer. Latest album “Celestial Stranger” (Clonmell Jazz Social) released May 2025.
Double bill presented by Sy; Gigs. Shrewsbury featuring Paris based vocalist, guitarist, songwriter and sound artist Lucy Sissy Miller and from California accordionist, trumpeter, electronic musician, composer and improviser Walt McClements.
Duo featuring the voice of Germana Stella La Sorsa and the guitar of Tom Ollendorff. Debut recording “After Hours” released July 2025.
Young London based multi-reeds player who is a prolific sideman in addition to bing the leader of his own groups.
Unusual voice and double bass collaboration between vocalist Sylvie Noble and bassist Ursula Harrison.
London based alto saxophonist and composer who leads his own small groups and big band in addition to being a prolific sideman. Big band album “A Year In The Life” released February 2025.
In addition to his work as a jazz musician saxophonist, pianist and composer Tim Boniface is also an ordained priest and is the chaplain of Girton College, Cambridge. His musical output includes the Christian themed jazz suites “The Eight Words” (2016), “The Infant; A Jazz Suite For Christmas” (2019) and “Psalter; Themes For Peace” (2025), the latter recorded with a quartet featuring pianist James Pearson, bassist Malcolm Creese and drummer Jon Ormston.
Quartet led by Welsh born, London based bassist and composer Huw V Williams featuring Billy Marrows and Mike De Souza on electric guitars and Jay Davis on drums.
The single “Cariad Carn Carw”, released July 18th 2025, also features guest trumpeter Laura Jurd.
Versatile keyboard player who has played with many jazz, rock and pop artists. Solo jazz piano album “Calling You Home” released July 2025.
Double bill promoted by John Close at Brecon Jazz Club 08/07/2015.
Tiggy Blackwell – Trombone, Evan Extence – Tenor Saxophone, Charlie Herbert – Piano, Benedict Stephens – Double Bass / Sam Green – Drums
Huw Llewellyn – Trumpet, Toby Comeau – Piano, Josh Sharp – Double Bass, Patrick Barrett-Donlon - Drums
Jazz / folk / classical crossover project co-led by violinist Bridget O’Donnell and double bassist Misha Mullov-Abbado. Also featuring Simmy Singh (violin, shruti box), David Shaw (viola) and Colin Alexander (cello).
Trio led by drummer / percussionist Martin Pyne and featuring David Beebee (piano) and Marianne Windham (double bass). Albums “The Strealthy Moon” (2024) and “Furrow” (2025) both released on Discus Music.
Quartet led by vocalist Emily Masser featuring Matyas Gayer, piano; James Owston, bass; Mark Taylor, drums.
Contemporary New Orleans style brass band led by the Cardiff based saxophonist and vocalist Jack Mac. The five piece line up draws from a pool of musicians including
trumpeter Thom Dalby-Anning, trombonist Harri Archer and sousaphone player Ryan Huxtable. The drum chair has variously been filled by Tom Williams and Jon Whitfield.
Birmingham based reggae, soul and gospel singer. Album “The Archive Project” released October 2023.
Sheffield based artist who produces improvised music using recorders, whistles, voice and live electronics. Album “lull” (2024) and EP “Capillary Cycles” (2025) both issued on New Jazz and Improvised Music Recordings (NEWJAiM).
Duo of Emma Rawicz (tenor & soprano saxophones) and Gwilym Simcock (piano). Album “Big Visit” released on ACT Music, March 2025.
German pianist, composer and songwriter.
A collaboration between the Cardiff Philharmonic Orchestra and jazz harpist Ben Creighton Griffiths on the occasion of the Welsh premiere of Creighton Griffiths’ five part “Concerto for Jazz Harp and Orchestra” at BBC Hoddinott Hall, Wales Millennium Centre, Cardiff, 14/06/2025.
Sextet led by guitarist and composer Julien Durand and featuring Lucy-Anne Daniels (vocals), George Garford (reeds), Cenk Esen (keys), John Jones (bass) and John Robson (drums).
Band led by Lichfield based multi-instrumentalist (trumpet, flugel, guitar, valve trombone) and composer Nick Dewhurst.
Jack Mac (Jack McDougall) – tenor & alto sax, vocals, Nick Kacal – double bass. Ryan Thrupp – drums with Dom Pipkin – piano, vocals, tambourine.
Double bill presented by Sy ; Gigs, Shrewsbury on 07/06/2025. Two artists with close associations with South Korea, vocalist, multi-instrumentalist and songwriter Seaming To and the Pan-Asian family band Tengger.
Salt Peanuts is a Worcestershire based trio featuring Carolyn Evans (alto & soprano saxes, vocals), Iain Elliot (bass) and Tom Fisher (drums). They are regularly joined by guest musicians, among them John McDonald (keyboards).
Du featuring Elijah Jeffery (vocals) and Eddie Gripper (piano). Eponymous, self released debut album issued June 2025.
“ReWired” (April 2025) is the fifth album release from the London based pianist, keyboard player, composer and arranger Janette Mason. It follows “Din and Tonic” (2005), “Alien Left Hand” (2009), “D’Ranged” (2014) and “Red Alert” (2017).
Asha Parkinson : Saxophones
Alexander McNamee : Piano
Alex Taylor : Drums
Mark McQuillan : Double Bass
Sura : Voice
Nahi Chehaitli : Oud
Quartet led by Italian born, London based, guitarist Andrea Rinciari and featuring Alex Garnett – tenor sax, Lorenzo Morabito – double bass, Mark Taylor – drums. Album “Soho Sessions” released May 2025.
Trio led by Alex Clarke (alto sax), convened by bassist Aidan Thorne for a short Welsh tour in May 2025. Also featuring Matt Holmes (drums).
Seven piece band playing soul, gospel and RnB.
Bristol based big band led by trumpeter and composer Andy Hague. Album “Live At The Lantern” released in 2025.
Tori Freestone – tenor sax, flute, violin, vocals, Huw Warren – piano, Yuri Goloubev – double bass, Liz Exell – drums.
Joanna Eden – piano, lead vocals, Andres Lafone – double bass, electric bass, backing vocals.
Jack Mac (Jack McDougall) – tenor sax, Nick Kacal – double bass. Ryan Thrupp – drums with guest Alex Hutton – piano.
Quartet led by guitarist and composer David Preston featuring Conor Chaplin (double bass), Marc Michel (vibraphone) and Marc Michel (drums).
Quartet led by Cardiff based drummer Liz Exell featuring Joe Northwood – tenor sax, Elliot Warburton – piano, Sabina Turvey – electric bass.
Peruvian born alto saxophonist and composer. Debut EP “No Language” released February 2025.
Chris Bowden – alto sax, keyboard, Jim Watson- keyboard, Simon ‘Palm Skin’’ Richmond – synthesiser, electronics, Neil Bullock – drums, Louise Warren - vocals.
The curiously named Doug Sides Legacy Band is a quartet featuring current students and recent graduates from the Jazz Course at Birmingham Conservatoire.
They take their name from the American born drummer Doug Sides (1942 – 2024), an inspirational figure who made a big impression on the members of the young quartet during the brief period that they knew him. Reuben-James (R.J.) Gilbert – alto & tenor saxophones, Ollie Canham – guitar, Nick Manz – double bass, Dominic Johnson – drums.
Jack Mac (Jack McDougall) – tenor sax, Nick Kacal – double bass. Ryan Thrupp – drums with guest Denny Ilett – guitar.
Jonathan Kreisberg-guitar, Javier Santiago -piano, Fender Rhodes, Luca Allemanno -bass, Colin Stranahan drums.
London based jazz, funk, soul and Afrobeat collective led by guitarist and composer Jon Speedy.
Trio led by Cardiff based pianist, accordionist, composer, arranger and educator Julian Martin and featuring Ross Thomas (electric bass) and Ian Williams (drums, percussion). Album “Dacw Nghariad” released 2024. For their appearance at Brecon Jazz Club on 08/04/2025 the trio was joined by guests Ben Thomas (trumpet, flugel) and Leslie Maynerd (alto sax).
"Once again Kay has delivered an album that combines thoughtful and intelligent writing with excellent playing and which again combines conventional jazz virtues with more contemporary ideas."
ALBUM
"Kay’s playing confidently covered a number of different styles within the rubric of conventional contemporary jazz without any showboating but with a special feel for ballads."
LIVE
"The music is by turns beautiful, playful and evocative with the leader’s drums at the heart of the music in what is a particularly well calibrated trio. It’s a recording that Pyne can be proud of."
ALBUM
""An evening of magical surprises". Guest contributor enjoys the music of Small Blue, a 'piano trio' led by drummer, percussionist and composer Martin Pyne."
LIVE
"Gripper & Jeffery shine in the exposed setting of the piano / vocal duo. These are songs that convince both musically and lyrically, there is real musical and emotional intelligence at work here."
ALBUM
"a superb duo performance that combined excellent vocal and instrumental skills with quality original songwriting allied to the imaginative interpreting of a well chosen selection of outside material."
LIVE
"A substantial triumph for Janette Mason as she breathes new jazz life into this well chosen selection of tunes. Her arrangements are intelligent, imaginative and sophisticated."
ALBUM
"Janette Mason is a force of nature whose warmth, creative energy and invention lifts spirits to the heights and leaves everyone with a buzzing feeling of well-being."
LIVE
""Allexa can certainly shred with the best, but her compositions are melodically interesting, diverse and – importantly for or a rising star – memorable", writes guest contributor Dave Fuller. "
LIVE
""Allexa Nava sets The Marr’s Bar on fire!". Guest contributor Dave Fuller enjoys a "very special final performance of the tour" by the Peruvian saxophonist and her quartet. "
LIVE
