Hamish Stuart Band at Swansea Jazz Club, Arts Wing, Grand Theatre, Swansea.

Date: Wednesday, July 22, 2026

More details

We have received the following information regarding this event;

WEDNESDAY July 22nd, 8pm
HAMISH STUART BAND
@Arts Wing SWANSEA GRAND THEATRE
Probably best known for his work as the original lead singer/guitarist with The Average White Band, Hamish Stuart has had an illustrious career as both songwriter and performer.

Please visit https://www.swanseajazzland.co.uk/ for further info and tickets.

Cheltenham Music Festival 2026, various venues, Cheltenham, Glos.

Dates: Friday, July 03, 2026 - Saturday, July 11, 2026

Featuring: Various Artists

More details

Predominately a classical music festival but with several events likely to be of interest to jazz listeners.

Full details at https://www.cheltenhamfestivals.org/festivals/music-festival

Don Costa Trio at Swansea jazz Club, The Observatory, Swansea.

Date: Wednesday, July 08, 2026

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We have received the following information regarding this event;

Wednesday July 8th, 8pm
DAN COSTA TRIO @The Observatory

Dan Costa is bringing his globally acclaimed Jazz trio to the UK.
His award-winning music has been considered entrancing (Downbeat Magazine), rare and luxurious (All About Jazz) and profound (Jazziz), blending virtuosity, accessibility, and cultural storytelling which reflect a deep engagement with Modern Latin Jazz.
He has recorded with artists such as Randy Brecker, Ron Carter, John Patitucci, Mike Stern, Bob Mintzer, Hermeto Pascoal, & many others.
Joined by Jon Reynolds (drums) & Peter Komor (bass)

Please visit https://www.swanseajazzland.co.uk/ for further info and tickets.

Juni Habel = Nick Jonah Davies at Sy ; Gigs, Th Darwin Room, Shrewsbury Library, Shrewsbury.

Date: Sunday, October 04, 2026

More details

From Chris Taylor of Sy ; Gigs

Oct 4th - Event 5.0

Juni Habels fragile finger-picked lullabies warm themselves by the open fire with her rich intimate voice atop twinkling arrangements and strange percussive instrumentation. Like glowing embers in the dark, these songs are odes to life and death, the beauty of belonging and human kinship with nature.

The Norwegian’s first album in three-years ‘Evergreen In Your Mind’ came out in Spring on Basin Rock, follows the breakthrough success of her ‘Carvings’ LP. The songs remain delicate, Habel’s voice playing an elegant lead role - but there are fluctuations too. The small shifts in Habel’s sound mark a notable stride forward, with more focus on the groove. Playfulness was embraced and, perhaps most importantly, patience played a fundamental role in shaping every element of this incredible set of torch folk songs. Brushed with the gentle touch of pastoral psychedelia, these are songs that sit in half-light, in the gas between where we are and where we might be.

“one of the finest folk albums in recent memory” Bandcamp ‘Album of the Day’

“life affirming songs that establish Habel as a distinctive, modern folk voice.” Uncut

“Sharing the same dusky light as Jessica Pratt’s records” The Guardian

Juni was live in session with Gideon Coe and Mark Riley last Monday on Radio 6 music. Definitetly worth a listen

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Z34vkFDlwEc

Tickets;
https://www.skiddle.com/whats-on/Shrewsbury/The-Darwin-Room%2C-Shrewsbury-Library/Juni-Habel—Nick-Jonah-Davis/42565388/

Zoe Rahma Trio album launch, two shows at The Vortex Jazz Club, Dalston, London.

Date: Friday, July 10, 2026

Featuring: Zoe Rahman Trio

Venue

The Vortex Jazz Club

11 Gillett Square,
London N16 8AZ

More details

From;
https://www.vortexjazz.co.uk/event/zoe-rahman-trio-album-launch-2-shows/

Zoe Rahman Trio – Album Launch (2 Shows)
Fri 10 July 2026, 6.30PM
Standard £20 / Vortex Members £18 / Students & UC beneficiaries £16

Timings:
*Please note each ticket will give you access to the time slot you book for. Please arrive for the door time.

1st Show
Doors 6:30 PM, Music 7:00 PM – 1 set of music

2nd Show
Doors 8:30 PM, Music 9:00 PM – 1 set of music

Line-up:
Zoe Rahman – Piano
Gene Calderazzo – Drums
Alec Dankworth – Double bass

About:

Album launch featuring Zoe’s world-class trio, drummer Gene Calderazzo and bassist Alec Dankworth. The album centres around music from Zoe’s “Hull Suite”, which was commissioned by Hull Jazz Festival for World Piano Day 2024. Based on themes of voyage, migration and the sea and taking inspiration from two statues in Hull, the music is also deeply connected to Zoe’s own family history.

Recorded live at the Vortex in June 2025, the music encompasses a wide pallet, with earthy blues influences, soulful melodies and cinematic musical textures that highlight the vibrancy and interaction of this jazz trio at it’s finest.

A highly individual pianist and composer, Zoe Rahman’s style is deeply rooted in jazz and reflects her classical background, British/Bengali heritage and her very broad musical taste. A MOBO Award winner, Mercury Prize nominee and Ivor Novello Award winner, she has become a highly sought-after musician on the international jazz scene.

Louise Balkwill Quintet at Guildford Jazz, The Guildford Pavilion, Guildford, Surrey.

Date: Wednesday, August 05, 2026

More details

From Mick Thomas of Guildford Jazz;

Louise Balkwill Quintet at Guildford Jazz, The Guildford Pavilion, Guildford, Surrey
Date: Wednesday, August 5, 2026
More details
Louise Balkwill Quintet
Wednesday 5 August from 20.00 to 22.15 (doors open 19.00) at the Guildford Pavilion, Woodbridge Rd, Guildford GU1 4RP
The 2022 winner of the Riga Jazz Stage International Jazz Voice competition, Louise Balkwill has been hailed as one of the finest jazz singers of her generation. Known
for her dazzling vocal improvisation, joyful stage presence and heartfelt storytelling, Louise presents a collection of sparkling new compositions and fresh re-tellings of beloved standards, all delivered with her trademark warmth, wit and thrilling musicianship.
Also featuring Jonathan Bauer (trumpet), Rob Barron (piano), Joshua Walker-Martin (drums) and Marianne Windham (bass).
For more details and to book tickets visit
https://www.guildfordjazz.org.uk

Phil Hopkins Trio at Guildford Jazz, The Guildford Institute, Guildford, Surrey.

Date: Monday, August 03, 2026

More details

From Mick Thomas of Guildford Jazz;

Phil Hopkins Trio at Guildford Jazz, The Guildford Institute, Guildford, Surrey
Date: Monday, August 3, 2026
More details
Phil Hopkins Trio
Monday 3 August from 14.00 to 15.00 (doors open for lunch at 12.00) at the Guildford Institute, Ward St, Guildford GU1 4LH
Chromatic harmonica virtuoso Phil Hopkins celebrates the richly varied musical output of the greatest jazz harmonica player Toots Thielemans. In a long career, Thielemans’ expressive harmonica added magic to the recordings of a pantheon of jazz greats including Benny Goodman, Bill Evans, Herbie Hancock, Pat Metheny and Quincy Jones. Completing the trio are the fantastic pianist Liam Dunachie and Guildford’s Marianne Windham on bass. Expect an hour of glorious swing, samba and fascinating stories of Thielemans’ life and times. For more details and to book tickets visit
https://www.guildfordjazz.org.uk

Nick Dewhurst Band, Jazz and Funk Roadshow at St Anne’s Church in Chasetown, Burntwood, Staffs.

Date: Monday, July 06, 2026

Featuring: Nick Dewhurst Band

More details

Nick Dewhurst writes;

Just a reminder that next Monday 6th July, my 6-piece ND Band will be heading to St Anne’s Church in Chasetown, Burntwood to play our Jazz & Funk Roadshow.

Joining me will be Chris Bowden on Tenor Sax, Beth Fisher-Dewhurst on Alto Sax, Sam Craig on Piano, with Paul Robinson on Bass Guitar & Carl Hemmingsley on Drums!

We’ll be playing our usual mixture of well known jazz & funk tunes, alongside some original material too.

Tickets cost £15 (or £5 for u18), and are available either on the door, or in advance from my website (where you can also find out more information about the event) https://nickdewhurst.com/box-office/

It’ll be a great gig, so please come and join us for an evening of funky tunes!

Hopefully see you there.
All the best,
Nick

Trish Clowes – My Iris Quartet at Shrewsbury Jazz Network, The Hive Music & Media Centre, Shrewsbury.

Date: Saturday, November 14, 2026

Featuring: Trish Clowes’ My Iris

Venue

The Hive, Shrewsbury

5 Belmont,
Shrewsbury,
Shropshire.
UK

More details

We have received the following information regarding this event;

Trish Clowes – My Iris Quartet
Nov 14 £25/£12 U22

Trish Clowes ‘My Iris quartet, an intense and thrilling band that represents the front rank of the contemporary UK jazz scene, returns to SJN at the Hive with new compositions from their latest album ‘Try me’. With an international reputation for intricate writing and adventurous improvisation, saxophonist Trish Clowes provides her incredible band members Ross Stanley (Hammond organ), Mike Outram (guitar) and Joel Barford (drums) with an abundance of space for exploration, spontaneity and kinetic provocation. Expect ballads, melodic invention and excitement.

‘Not for nothing is she considered as one of the UK’s best Jazz musicians…
Ian Patterson..All about jazz

Tom Thorp & ILLUMETRIS at Shrewsbury Jazz Network, The Hive Music & Media Centre, Shrewsbury.

Date: Saturday, October 10, 2026

Venue

The Hive, Shrewsbury

5 Belmont,
Shrewsbury,
Shropshire.
UK

More details

We have received the following information regarding this event;

Tom Thorp & ILLUMETRIS
Oct 10 £25/£12 U22

In a first for SJN at the Hive you are invited to enter the murky and fantastical world of mythical beings with ILLUMETRIS. Internationally award winning composer Tom Thorp (saxophones & bass clarinet) is joined by Neil Yates (trumpet), Andy Stamatakis-Brown (piano), Grant Russell (bass) & John Arnesen (drums). ILLUMETRIS will
present music from their critically acclaimed album ‘Here, there be Monsters…’ in a new multi-media show in collaboration with illustrator Steve Bridger.

‘His music and performances are sparkling jewels..’
BBC Jazz World

Giacomo Smith’s Big Band present Ellington’s Nutcracker Suite at Cadogan Hall, London.

Date: Monday, December 14, 2026

More details

We have received the following information regarding this event;

Monday 14 December, Cadogan Hall
Giacomo Smith’s Big Band present Ellington’s Nutcracker Suite

Led by Italian-American clarinettist and saxophonist Giacomo Smith and featuring some of London’s finest jazz musicians, this festive big band celebration brings together seasonal favourites, Ellington rarities and original compositions for an evening full of swing, warmth and Christmas cheer. Join us at Cadogan Hall and start your Christmas the big band way.

Tickets;
https://serious.org.uk/events/giacomo-smiths-big-band-present-ellingtons-nutcracker-suite-2

Mon 14 December 2026
Stage time / 7:30pm
Doors / 7:00pm

Location
Cadogan Hall,
5 Sloane Terrace
SW1X 9DQ
https://cadoganhall.com/

£34 - £44 incl. fees

Duke Ellington and Billy Strayhorn’s near 40 year collaboration is one of the most consequential in the history of jazz music.

The two had an uncanny symbiosis that sometimes verged on telepathy. Normally, the shy Strayhorn worked tirelessly in the background while the debonair Ellington performed in the limelight for audiences worldwide.

While the pair had already coproduced innumerable master works prior to 1960’s Nutcracker Suite, the release of this album marked the first time that Strayhorn appeared on the cover of an Ellington album. He is center stage, seated next to the maestro and smiling serenely.

In retrospect, Strayhorn had come up with the idea for the project and had arranged much of the music so it made sense to have his name in bright lights on the cover. However, this is the first public suggestion that Ellington was not the sole architect of his works.

This album is another first for Ellington as it represents the first time he had re-orchestrated the work of a major classical composer. He and Strayhorn adapt Tchaikovsky’s themes perfectly into the Ellingtonian swing style. There are bombastic full band performances in “Peanut Briddle Brigade” contrasted with the sparse and mysterious “Sugar Rum Cherry” and “Chinoiserie”. It is such a work of genius that you might even end up preferring it to the original.

This evenings performance will also feature Smith’s original compositions and other rarities from Ellington and the big band canon.

Sofa Session feat. Big Joe Louis at The Lion’s Den, Midhurst, West Sussex.

Date: Saturday, September 05, 2026

More details

We have received the following information regarding this event;

NEW DATE FOR THE BIG JOE LOUIS SOFA SESSION AT THE LION’S DEN, MIDHURST:
Saturday 5th September

23/06/2026
Because of the forecast temperatures later this week we have rescheduled The Sofa Session at The Lion’s Den with Big Joe Louis - originally booked for this Thursday 25th June - which will now take place on Saturday 5th September.

Tickets;
https://tickets.midhurstjazzandblues.com/events/midhurstjazzfestival/2183512

Worth reminding anyone who is not yet a member that if you become a Salon Member now for just £59, not only do you get TWO FREE tickets to any Sofa Session or Cellar Session - worth £40 - but you then also get 15% off all performances all year round plus a whole bunch of other benefits (private events, newsletters, earlty ticket news and access, special offers and so on.)
In other words pay £59, get £40 worth of tix immediately, and your whole year’s membership effectively only cost you £19!
https://www.midhurstjazzandblues.com/membership

Talvin Singh presents Shradhanjali – a homage to Zakir Hussain at Queen Elizabeth Hall, London.

Date: Saturday, July 04, 2026

More details

We have received the following press release regarding this event;

Talvin Singh presents a homage to Zakir Hussain; Shradhanjali

Shradhanjali – a homage to Zakir Hussain
Saturday 4 July, Queen Elizabeth Hall

Talvin Singh presents an extraordinary evening of rhythm, improvisation, and global musical dialogue.

Shradhanjali honours the enduring legacy of the legendary tabla maestro Zakir Hussain - the pioneering force who, since the 1990s, brought together the world’s finest percussionists in a spirit of collaboration, virtuosity, and innovation, under the title Masters of Percussion.

This special concert, Shradhanjali, continues that tradition with a stellar lineup; Talvin Singh (tabla) is joined by special guests Marcus Gilmore (drums) and Tom Rogerson (piano) and Ananthan R Krishnan (mridangam), Satin Singh (multi-percussion).

A rare opportunity to witness master musicians in conversation, Shradhanjali is both a tribute and a living continuation of a revolutionary musical vision.

Talvin Singh said:
”My deepest gratitude to Asian Arts Agency for gracing me for this opportunity to pay a tribute to the most influential musicians of our world of music. We are very much looking forward to bringing this personal homage to Ustad Zakir Hussian, Shradanjali, to London this summer at the Southbank Centre.”

About Asian Arts Agency
Asian Arts Agency is one of the UK’s leading Asian music development agencies.  Based in Bristol, they have been developing, commissioning, promoting and supporting contemporary and traditional South Asian music & arts since 2006. Touring renowned South Asian musicians to leading venues across the country & internationally, as well as running acclaimed talent development programmes for young artists. They have worked with Malkit Singh, Rakesh Chaurasia, Zakir Hussain, Vishwa Mohan Bhatt & Roopa Panesar, to name just a few.
http://www.asianartsagency.co.uk

Frederico Heliodoro at Music Spoken Here, The Marr’s Bar, Worcester.

Date: Thursday, September 17, 2026

More details

From;
https://musicspokenhere.club/event/frederico-heliodoro/

Frederico Heliodoro
September 17 @ 7:30 pm - 10:30 pm
£15

Progressive modern music from Brazil, combining jazz, electronic music, rock & blues with echoes of Milton Nascimento, Toninho Horta and Beto Guedes
I’m delighted we were able to secure an additional night at The Marr’s Bar, outside our regular fortnightly programme, to accommodate Brazilian multi-instrumentalist, vocalist, producer and composer Frederico Heliodoro, as he performs just three dates on the UK leg of his current international tour.

Frederico was born in Rio de Janeiro, grew up in Belo Horizonte and spent a few years in São Paulo before returning to Rio, where he currently lives. Celebrating ten years of international touring, Frederico presents a new concert featuring music from his albums The Weight of the News, Máximos Eventos and Gávea Days Compact, alongside recent compositions written in Rio de Janeiro. The new material reflects a growing connection with the city, its atmosphere, its neighbourhoods and its particular sense of mystery, heard in pieces such as Fantasia Carioca and Ciclo do Leme.

Bringing together different moments of his artistic journey, the program moves between older and newer works while maintaining a strong personal voice shaped by years of performing and collaborating with artists such as Kurt Rosenwinkel, Milton Nascimento, Louis Cole and Zé Ibarra. Rather than looking back, this concert offers a glimpse of where that journey has arrived today.

Frederico, on lead bass and vocals, will be joined by Birmingham legend Tom Ford on bass and Newcastle’s Knats drummer King Ike-Elechi. A keys player, yet to be confirmed will complete the lineup.

TICKETS
Admission for this event is complimentary for Music Spoken Here Club Members.
Non-members are welcome – just show up and pay £15 cash or card on the door.
You can find out more about our admission and membership options at A New Approach
https://musicspokenhere.club/a-new-approach/

Venue
The Marr’s Bar,
12 Pierpoint Street,
Worcester,
Worcestershire WR1 1TA.

Boomslang at Music Spoken Here, The Marr’s Bar, Worcester.

Date: Thursday, September 10, 2026

More details

From;
https://musicspokenhere.club/event/boomslang/

Boomslang
September 10 @ 7:30 pm - 10:30 pm
£15

High-intensity jazz virtuosity with the driving energy of drum & bass, the weight of hard rock, and the sonic edge of electronic production
Boomslang is a UK-based jazz fusion powerhouse pushing the genre into new territory. Led by bassist Kyle Welch, the band fuses high-intensity jazz virtuosity with the driving energy of drum & bass, the weight of hard rock, and the sonic edge of electronic production.

Known for their uniquely interactive live performances, Boomslang thrive on real-time musical conversation — twisting complex harmony, breakneck rhythms and deep grooves into something unpredictable and electrifying, with Nat Evans on EWI adding soaring, otherworldly lead lines that blur the line between human and machine. Joined by Nathan Thomas and Dom Holyoake, Boomslang’s music sits at the crossroads of Tribal Tech’s precision, Chick Corea Electric Band’s fusion legacy and Squarepusher’s boundary-breaking intensity — delivering a sound that’s as technically fearless as it is physically moving.

Boomslang don’t just play jazz fusion; they rewire it.

TICKETS
Admission for this event is complimentary for Music Spoken Here Club Members.
Non-members are welcome – just show up and pay £15 cash or card on the door.
You can find out more about our admission and membership options at A New Approach
https://musicspokenhere.club/a-new-approach/

The Marr’s Bar,
12 Pierpoint Street,
Worcester,
Worcestershire,
WR1 1TA .

Alex Clarke Quartet - ‘Out Of The Woods’ at Kenilworth Jazz Club, Kenilworth Rugby Club, Kenilworth, Warwickshire.

Date: Monday, July 13, 2026

Featuring: Alex Clarke Quartet

More details

We have received the following information regarding this event;

Alex Clarke Quartet - ‘Out Of The Woods’ - 2026 album tour Monday 13th July 2026.

Our next event will be the return of local star Alex Clarke, ably supported by David Newton - piano, Dave Green - bass and Dave Walsh - drums.

KENILWORTH: RUGBY FOOTBALL CLUB
Monday 13th July, 2026 ( Please note this is the second Monday in the month to fit in with Alex’s touring schedule)
Door time: 7:30pm, Start time: 8:00pm
Tickets: £15.00, Students £7.50 available on the door or online at https://wegottickets.com/f/22323 (plus booking fee)
* If you intend to pay on the door, please could you notify me at this email address of the number of tickets to be reserved which will assist in the planning for the event *

Touring in 2026, Alex Clarke presents her latest album, Out of the Woods, which celebrates the legacy of alto saxophonist Phil Woods. Featuring fresh reworkings of both classic and lesser- known Woods repertoire alongside original compositions inspired by his distinctive sound, this exciting new project showcases Alex’s deep connection to the bebop tradition.

Performing with her stellar quartet which features some of the finest names in British jazz, expect a compelling evening of fiery straight-ahead jazz, innovative arrangements and exciting interplay.

‘Out of the Woods’ by Alex Clarke
https://youtu.be/tkPLDfYIroI?si=c80g6XSToJi0mD8X

‘Change Partners’ by Irving Berlin
https://youtu.be/O3_CsnbQduE?si=kFeVV7mv4H_rzJfQ

★★★★ - Jazzwise

“It’s easy to see why Clarke has become such a popular figure with British jazz audiences” - Ian Mann

“Small group jazz of the highest quality and unreservedly recommended” - Jazz Views

Kenilworth Rugby Football Club
Glasshouse Lane, The Jack Davies Memorial Ground, Glasshouse Ln, Kenilworth CV8 2AJ.

“Summer Jazz at the Cri”, featuring EASY 3, Criterion Theatre, Earlsdon, Coventry.

Date: Friday, July 10, 2026

More details

“Summer Jazz at the Cri”, featuring EASY 3, Criterion Theatre, Earlsdon, Coventry.

Artthur Buezo plus Becky ‘The Bullet’ Thomas at Mid Wales Rhythm & Blues Club, The Muse, Brecon.

Date: Saturday, July 18, 2026

More details

From;
http://midwalesrandb.club/event/mwrbc-presents-the-return-of-arthur-buezo-with-sga-becky-the-bullet-thomas/

A ONE MAN BAND OF SAVAGE FOLK IS AN EXPERIENCE NOT TO BE MISSED…

Arthur first played The MWR&BC back in Sep 2024 for his very first ever show on UK soil alongside Becky THE BULLET Thomas who filled the special guest act role on that occasion.

Just over a month later he returned to play at The Muse and The Brecon Tap (before returning home to The States) alongside the links of Jack J Hutchinson & Michael Parker this time he returns alongside Becky once again.

https://linktr.ee/arthurbuezo

https://www.instagram.com/beckythebullet

Angus Kings 0786 6000 596

http://www.midwalesrandb.club

.(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address)

https://www.facebook.com/midwalesrhythmandblues

https://www.instagram.com/themidwalesrandb/

https://www.ticketsource.co.uk/mwrbc

The Muse at Brecon
The Muse, Glamorgan Street
Brecon, Powys LD37DW

Benedict Stephens Quartet presents The Bill Henderson Project at Black Mountain Jazz, Melville Centre for the Arts, Abergavenny.

Date: Sunday, August 30, 2026

More details

From;
https://www.blackmountainjazz.co.uk/event-details/benedict-stephens-quartet-presents-the-bill-henderson-project

Benedict Stephens Quartet presents The Bill Henderson Project
Sun 30 Aug |  Melville Centre for the Arts

Time & Location
30 Aug 2026, 20:00 – 23:00
Melville Centre for the Arts, 5 Pen-Y-Pound, Abergavenny NP7 5UN, UK

About the event

Throughout his career, Bill Henderson’s vocal style opened up collaborations with many jazz greats, including Oscar Peterson, Count Basie and Dizzy Gillespie.

The music of Bill Henderson opens up a world of warmth, blues feeling and deeply expressive storytelling. Two years after his death at the age of 90, the Benedict Stephens Quartet brings that music to life - providing an opportunity to explore the richness of swing that made Henderson such a distinctive voice in jazz.

Drawing on his celebrated repertoire from the Great American Songbook, the Quartet aims to capture the spirit of Henderson’s classic recordings, while bringing its own musical personalities to the music through improvisation.

The programme includes classics such as “A Lot of Livin’ To Do” and “Señor Blues”.

John Johnson – vocals
Tom Barber – piano
Benedict Stephens – double bass
Phil Thompson – drums

Tickets

Ticket type
General Admission
Price
From £9.50 to £19.00

Standard
£19.00

Friends of BMJ
£17.00

Under 18’s
£9.50

BMJ Collective and guest Fabienne Ambuehl at Black Mountain Jazz, Melville Centre for the Arts, Abergavenny.

Date: Sunday, July 12, 2026

More details

From;
https://www.blackmountainjazz.co.uk/event-details/bmj-collective-and-guest-fabienne-ambuehl

BMJ Collective and guest Fabienne Ambuehl
Sun 12 Jul |  Melville Centre for the Arts

Time & Location
12 Jul 2026, 19:00 – 22:00
Melville Centre for the Arts, 5 Pen-Y-Pound, Abergavenny NP7 5UN, UK

About the event

BMJ Collective’s guest this month is the London-based Swiss pianist, singer and composer Fabienne Ambuehl – widely appreciated for her vibrant contemporary jazz that weaves together elements of poetry, storytelling and a subtle folk influence.

Originally trained as a classical pianist, she fell in love with jazz after hearing a neighbour play the blues. She later completed a Master of Arts in Music from Lucerne University of Applied Sciences, further developing her singing at the Complete Vocal Institute in Copenhagen.

Rich in detail and with striking energy, Fabienne Ambuehl’s music evokes a strong sense of place and atmosphere. At fourteen, she recorded her first album with a big band. Her latest album ‘Thrive‘, which won ‘Jazz Recording of the Year’ at Presto Music Awards 2025, was launched with a sold-out concert at London’s Vortex Jazz Club.

Together with the BMJazz Collective’s vibrant, collaborative sound, this promises another special evening of inspired and outstanding musicianship.

Please note that this is one of our early 7pm start programmes.

Website: http://www.fabienneambuehl.com

Tickets
Ticket type
General Admission
Price
From £8.50 to £19.00

Standard
£19.00

Friends of BMJ
£17.00

Under 18’s
£8.50

Jeffrey Alexander and the Heavy Lidders, featuring Pefkin and Christina Carter at Weirdshire, De Koffie Pot, Left Bank, Hereford.

Date: Monday, August 10, 2026

More details

We have received the following information regarding this event;

Monday 10th August at De Koffie Pot - Jeffrey Alexander and the Heavy Lidders, featuring Pefkin and Christina Carter: Tickets;
https://wegottickets.com/f/21068

Weirdshire presents Jeffrey Alexander and the Heavy Lidders, featuring Pefkin and Christina Carter
incredible psych improv jams with stellar line up

Presented by: WEIRDSHIRE

HEREFORD: De Koffie Pot
Monday 10th August, 2026
Door time: 7:30pm, start time: 8:15pm
. All ages
Music - Folk/blues/world

Event information
This will be Jeffrey’s second visit to Weirdshire, after a storming show at the Speakeasy last year which was the highlight of the year for many.
This time, going one better, the Heavy Lidders will be augmented by two fantastic legends in their own right. Pefkin - Gayle Brogan - will be very well known to Weirdshire audiences for her previous shows here, both on her own and as half of Burd Ellen. From Austin, Texas, Christina Carter is another incredible addition - first coming to international attention in the mid 90s as a founder member of Charalambides, with a very strong discography of psychedelic, experimental jamming music both in that duo, solo and with other collaborators.
A truly special combination!

De Koffie Pot
Left Bank
Bridge Street
Hereford
HR4 9DG

http://www.theleftbankvillage.co.uk/de-koffie-pot

01432 353552

Sproatly Smith / Oro Swimming Hour at Weirdshire, De Koffie Pot,  Left Bank, Hereford.

Date: Tuesday, July 07, 2026

More details

We have received the following information regarding this event;

Tuesday July 7th at De Koffie Pot - the return of Sproatly Smith! And also the wonderful Oro Swimming Hour: Tickets;
https://wegottickets.com/f/21067

Sproatly Smith is the lovechild of Weirdshire chief and inspirational talisman Ian Smith. Beginning as a bedroom recording project 2 decades ago, the project caught the attention of critics especially at The Guardian, and fRoots, where it was championed by Ian A Anderson and Steve Hunt. Inevitably all that attention resulted in a butterfly-from-a-chrysalis emergence of a live band, and gigs around the country followed. The releases continued to flow, and the Bandcamp page is well worth your attention for the finest and most curious of experimental psych-folk. The live experience though is full of ROCK ACTION as well as all the experimentation. Sproatly Smith don’t play live that often, so don’t sleep on this one…

Oro Swimming Hour were seen by our Weirdshire scouting team when they played a gig earlier this year at the Jam Factory, and the reports were very very positive indeed - so we have arranged for them to come and play, of course. They are the duo of Bristol psych-pop hero, Oliver Wilde and award-winning illustrator, Nicholas Stevenson. Citing influences the 1990s lo-fi movement, such as Daniel Johnston, Guided by Voices and (to my ears) Sebadoh. There is songcraft here, raw and exposed. Here’s a bit of them doing a song in a loft conversion:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_hnTeIWwP2k

De Koffie Pot
Left Bank
Bridge Street
Hereford
HR4 9DG

http://www.theleftbankvillage.co.uk/de-koffie-pot

01432 353552

Remi Harris presents ‘Man of the World: The Music of Peter Green’ at The Regal, Tenbury Wells, Worcestershire.

Date: Friday, October 02, 2026

Featuring: Remi Harris

More details

We have received the following information regarding this event;

Remi Harris Presents Man of the World: The Music of Peter Green

Remi Harris Presents - Man of the World: The Music of Peter Green
Friday 2nd October 2026 - 7:30pm

Celebrating the life and music of Peter Green, founder of the original Fleetwood Mac. Guitarist Remi Harris will be joined by vocalist Dave Small, bassist Tom Moore and Shane Dixon on drums to perform music from throughout Peter Green’s career. Including such classics as Man Of The World, Black Magic Woman, Need Your Love So Bad, Albatross and The Green Manalishi (With The Two Prong Crown).

“A highly enjoyable show that featured some much loved material from the ‘Golden Era’ of the first edition of Fleetwood Mac, alongside some less familiar gems from the Bluesbreakers’ catalogue… The standard of the playing was excellent throughout” thejazzmann.com

“this was a band that brought vivid life to the songs and instrumentals written and performed by Peter Green… The songs were treated with proper respect, but each of the musicians played things with taste and accuracy” Lichfield Live

Tickets;
https://www.regaltenbury.co.uk/events/manoftheworld

midori jaeger – (Re)planted EP Launch with support from Iris at Sy ; Gigs, The Darwin Room, Shrewsbury Library, Shrewsbury.

Date: Sunday, October 25, 2026

More details

We have received the following information regarding this event;

Event 5.0, Season 4.0 - Oct 25th
midori jaeger – (Re)planted EP Launch
with support from Iris

This time we’ll be gathering for an early evening Sunday concert, beginning around 4:30pm and concluding before 9:30pm. A little later than our usual matinees, but still allowing plenty of time to ease gently into the working week ahead.

There’s something rather special about Sunday evenings. The weekend begins to slow, the pace softens, and there’s an opportunity to pause before the demands of Monday arrive. It feels like the perfect setting for the music we have planned.

I’m particularly excited about this one and delighted to finally share the details with newsletter subscribers before the public announcement tomorrow.

Originally from Japan and now based in London, cellist, singer and composer midori jaeger brings her (Re)planted EP Launch to Shrewsbury with her full band.

Drawing on influences from jazz, folk, contemporary classical music and electronics, midori creates immersive and deeply personal songs exploring themes of identity, belonging and place.

Her new double EP, (Re)planted, reflects on a childhood spent across multiple continents and the challenge of establishing roots in unfamiliar landscapes. Written at the cello—an instrument crafted from a once-living tree—the songs draw poignant parallels between the natural world and the human search for home, connection and self.
I’m delighted to announce that our next event will take place in October in the beautiful Darwin Room.

A genre-defying artist and collaborator, midori has performed with Imogen Heap, Courtney Pine, Daughter, Patrick Watson, Jessie Ware and Tanita Tikaram. Alongside her work as a performer, she also composes for film, dance and theatre.

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Newsletter 16.0 - New Gig alert!
Next Event - Sept 13 Haiku Salut + Osgled + Matt Sewell @ The Darwin Room, Shrewsbury
SY.GIGS
Jun 18

READ IN APP

Hi,

I hope the start of summer is being kind to you and that you’ve been finding time to enjoy some of the gifts that come with this wonderful season of growth.

This newsletter is a little shorter than usual in some respects and rather longer in others. There are a few headlines about upcoming gigs, alongside a longer passage of reflection.

Sorry about that.

As many of you will know, these newsletters occasionally become a form of public journaling. Writing them helps me process things and, perhaps, may resonate with some of you too.

If reflections on mental wellbeing, self-doubt and the occasional wander through my inner landscape aren’t quite your bag, and I completely respect that they won’t be for everyone, please feel free to skip ahead and land on the recommendations and gig news section instead.

Early sell out - Event 4.0
First off, there are only a couple of tickets remaining for Event 4.0 on September 13th, a special matinee performance with Haiku Salut, Osgeld and Matt Sewell.

Being on the verge of an early sell-out is a welcome surprise. It’s been quite a while since that happened, and I’m genuinely grateful.

Moments like this are a reminder that there are people who continue to value these shared experiences and the opportunity to discover something a little different. Music that sits outside the mainstream. Music for the curious.

It’s also a reminder that community matters.

Behind every ticket sale is someone choosing to support independent artists, volunteer-led events, historic spaces and the idea that quality niche culture doesn’t only belong in cities or large venues.

To everyone who has already booked a ticket, shared a post, mentioned the event to a friend, or supported SY.Gigs in any way over the years, thank you. Your continued support never goes unnoticed.

If you’ve been meaning to join us in September, now would be a good time.

Tickets - Sept 13 Haiku Salut

Event 5.0, Season 4.0 - Oct 25th
midori jaeger – (Re)planted EP Launch
with support from Iris

I’m delighted to announce that our next event will take place in October in the beautiful Darwin Room.

This time we’ll be gathering for an early evening Sunday concert, beginning around 4:30pm and concluding before 9:30pm. A little later than our usual matinees, but still allowing plenty of time to ease gently into the working week ahead.

There’s something rather special about Sunday evenings. The weekend begins to slow, the pace softens, and there’s an opportunity to pause before the demands of Monday arrive. It feels like the perfect setting for the music we have planned.

I’m particularly excited about this one and delighted to finally share the details with newsletter subscribers before the public announcement tomorrow.

Originally from Japan and now based in London, cellist, singer and composer midori jaeger brings her (Re)planted EP Launch to Shrewsbury with her full band.

Drawing on influences from jazz, folk, contemporary classical music and electronics, midori creates immersive and deeply personal songs exploring themes of identity, belonging and place.

Her new double EP, (Re)planted, reflects on a childhood spent across multiple continents and the challenge of establishing roots in unfamiliar landscapes. Written at the cello—an instrument crafted from a once-living tree—the songs draw poignant parallels between the natural world and the human search for home, connection and self.

(Un)planted EP, by midori jaeger

midori jaeger

5 track album

A genre-defying artist and collaborator, midori has performed with Imogen Heap, Courtney Pine, Daughter, Patrick Watson, Jessie Ware and Tanita Tikaram. Alongside her work as a performer, she also composes for film, dance and theatre.

Opening the evening is Iris, whose distinctive contemporary sound and emerging creative voice make them a perfect complement to an evening centred on exploration, connection and discovery.

Tickets;
https://www.skiddle.com/whats-on/Shrewsbury/The-Darwin-Room%2C-Shrewsbury-Library/midori-jaeger—Iris/42490529/

Crash Collective Big Band at Corn Exchange Jazz Club, The Corn Exchange, Ross-0n-Wye, Herefordshire.

Date: Friday, September 11, 2026

More details

We have received the following information regarding this event;

CORN EXCHANGE JAZZ CLUB
ROSS ON WYE
PRESENT
CRASH COLLECTIVE BIG BAND
FRIDAY 11th SEPTEMBER 7:30pm - 9:30pm
DOORS OPEN 6:45pm
(tickets available here)
https://www.tickettailor.com/events/vidlerhospitalityltd/2269416

Crash Collective is sixteen of the Midlands’ finest jazz players performing numbers from the libraries of Buddy Rich, Maynard Ferguson, Pat Metheny, Thad Jones and Les Hooper. Our style encompasses funk, latin, rock and swing.

Our aim is to make every live performance something special – to wow our audiences and generate real excitement. We play with passion, precision and power to ensure we bring our music to life, whether it be playing a beautiful ballad at a whisper or roaring through an up-tempo flag waver.

Hearing is believing – so come and see us perform live!

Corn Exchange
8 High St, Ross-on-Wye HR9 5HL.

Lincoln Jazz Festival at Lincoln Jazz Cathedral, Lincoln.

Dates: Friday, July 10, 2026 - Sunday, July 12, 2026

Featuring: Various Artists

More details

For details please visit;
https://lincolncathedral.com/lincoln-jazz-festival/

Südtirol Jazzfestival Alto Adige, various venues, South Tyrol, Italy.

Dates: Friday, June 26, 2026 - Sunday, July 05, 2026

Featuring: Various Artists

More details

Full programme: https://www.suedtiroljazzfestival.com/

Will Barnes Quartet at Cheltenham Jazz Club, The Victory Club Ballroom Burlington House, Lypiatt Road, Cheltenham, Glos.

Date: Monday, September 21, 2026

Featuring: Will Barnes Quartet

More details

WILL BARNES QUARTET
WHEN: 8.00 pm, Monday, 21 September 2026
WHERE: The Victory Club Ballroom Burlington House, Lypiatt Road, Cheltenham.
Tickets: CJ Members £19.00, non-members £22.00

Will Barnes: guitar
Jack Gonsalez: piano
Aidan Thorne: double bass
James Batten: drums

Neil Angilley Trio at Music Spoken Here, The Marr’s Bar, Worcester.

Date: Thursday, September 24, 2026

More details

From;
https://musicspokenhere.club/event/neil-angilley-trio/

Neil Angilley Trio
September 24 @ 7:30 pm - 10:00 pm
£15

A spellbinding, uplifting take on infectious rhythms from Brazil and Cuba, incorporating instrumental virtuosity and 3-part vocal harmony

I’m delighted to welcome virtuoso pianist Neil Angilley back to our stage, following his first appearance in 2024 with Steve Taylor’s Fusion Phew and, more recently, with Minas Project in January this year. This time, he brings his own trio featuring Minas Project leader, drummer and vocalist Davide Giovannini and bassist Davide Mantovani.

The Neil Angilley Trio have released five albums since 2007, most recently Live at the 606 Club – the prestigious London jazz venue which holds a special place in Neil’s heart. Their spellbinding live show incorporates instrumental virtuosity and 3-part vocal harmony, which adds a unique dimension to the sound, creating an uplifting take on infectious rhythms from Brazil and Cuba.

As an original member of Grammy Nominated band Down To The Bone, Neil has co-written and played on many of their albums, most recently The Sweetness, which charted at number one in the USA Billboard Charts for Jazz/Funk. Along with Davide Giovannini, he performs with Snowboy and The Latin Section, with other live performance credits including Vanessa-Mae, Maceo Parker, Lionel Richie, Lisa Stansfield and Three Friends (Gentle Giant) and Glastonbury main stage with Dame Shirley Bassey.

Davide Giovannini was on drums when the fantastic 7-piece TRYPL raised the Marr’s Bar roof in January last year, while Davide Mantovani made his Marr’s Bar debut with the Brazilian-infused Tristan Banks Quartet back in 2023. This really is a Latin powerhouse that you won’t want to miss!

TICKETS
Admission for this event is £12 for Music Spoken Here Club Members and £15 for non-members.
No advance tickets, just turn up and pay on the door, cash or card.
You can find out more about our admission and membership options at A New Approach
https://musicspokenhere.club/a-new-approach/

Venue
The Marr’s Bar
12 Pierpoint Street
Worcester,
Worcestershire,
WR1 1TA.

Living In Shadows, early evening show at Music Spoken Here, The Marr’s Bar, Worcester.

Date: Sunday, September 20, 2026

Featuring: Living In Shadows

More details

From;
https://musicspokenhere.club/event/living-in-shadows/

Living In Shadows
September 20 @ 4:30 pm - 7:00 pm
£15

Straddling the line between popular accessibility and the “Quark, strangeness & charm” of progressive rock
Formed by award winning vocalist Zoë Gilby and multi-instrumentalist Andy Champion as a studio project during COVID lockdown, Living in Shadows released their eponymously titled debut album in 2020. In 2024, their follow up album ‘Neon Burning’ on Lamplight Social Records saw a development in their original identity, building confidence in a more progressive sound.

“If you want an album that stops you questioning about which genre of music it fits into and has the prowess to captivate you from a melodic and musical capability point of view, look no further than…this banger of an album.” – The Progmeister

“If you’re looking for something innovative in the cross-over prog area then start here.” – Martin Burns, DPRP

The duo on the recording has been expanded to a five-piece band for their increasingly popular live performances, fronted by Zoë with Andy on bass and synths, Mark Williams on guitar, Ben Lawrence on keyboards and John Bradford on drums.

Doors 4:30pm for 5pm start.

TICKETS
Admission for this event is £12 for Music Spoken Here Club Members and £15 for non-members.
No advance tickets, just turn up and pay on the door, cash or card.
You can find out more about our admission and membership options at A New Approach
https://musicspokenhere.club/a-new-approach/

Venue
The Marr’s Bar,
12 Pierpoint Street,
Worcester,
Worcestershire,
WR1 1TA .

Henry Lowther’s 85th Birthday Celebration & Record Launch with the London Jazz Orchestra at American International Church, 79 Tottenham Court Road, London.

Date: Saturday, July 11, 2026

More details

We have received the following press release;

Henry Lowther’s 85th Birthday Celebration & Record Launch with the London Jazz Orchestra

The London Jazz Orchestra is 35 years old, star trumpeter Henry Lowther is 85, and they will be celebrating in concert with the launch of Primetime, a double LP of Henry’s music on his 85th birthday, Saturday 11 July, at 7:30pm in the beautiful acoustic of the American International Church, London.

Primetime is released on Analogue/October Records, best known for bringing important recordings from the past back into print. Every now and then, however, a project comes along that sits outside their usual remit; this project has been driven by a shared desire to celebrate and preserve the work of a living jazz legend. A limited run of 300 numbered and signed copies will be available.

Henry Lowther is a treasure - and one of the most loved and respected musicians in British jazz. Since emerging in the 1960s with the John Dankworth Orchestra and a host of jazz and pop artists, to his current band, Still Waters, and his 30-year stint with the LJO, his beautiful sound and fiery solos have thrilled generations of listeners.  Everybody wants Henry in their bands. You can read more here.
https://analogueoctober.com/2025/09/27/henry-lowther-the-quiet-giant-who-shaped-british-jazz-pop-and-beyond/

Directed by Scott Stroman, “the LJO is at the quality-plus-commitment end of the spectrum.” Resident at London’s Vortex Club since 1991, the band of outstanding soloists plays music written by its members, who have included Kenny Wheeler, John Taylor, Norma Winstone, Tim Garland, Nikki Iles, Pete Saberton and a host of others. Today’s band is just as vital:

Trumpets: Henry Lowther, Mike Lovatt, Miguel Gorodi, Andre Cannier

Trombones: Martin Gladdish, Ollie Martin, James Wade-Sired, Richard Henry

Saxes/Woodwinds: Matt Sulzmann, Martin Hathaway, Tori Freestone, Pete Hurt, Mick Foster

Piano: Liam Noble, Alcyona Mick

Guitar: Nick Costley-White

Bass: Calum Gourlay

Drums: Paul Clarvis

Director: Scott Stroman

Details:
Saturday 11 July 7.30 PM.
American International Church 79 Tottenham Court Road   W1T 4TD.
Plus bar and refreshments.
Tickets £20, or £45 including signed and numbered double LP.
Available from Eventbrite and on the door.
https://www.eventbrite.com/e/henry-lowther-s-85th-birthday-london-jazz-orchestra-record-launch-tickets-1990866621658

Aurelius Trio at Kidderminster Jazz Club, St. Ambroses’s Parish Centre, Kidderminster, Worcs.

Date: Friday, November 06, 2026

Featuring: Aurelius

More details

From;
https://www.kidderminsterjazzclub.co.uk/2026-2027-season-show

Aurelius Trio
Kidderminster Jazz Club
Fri, Nov 6 @ 7:00PM

Cornish double bassist and composer Marcus Penrose left the wild Atlantic coast for the bustle of London aged just 18. His trio, Aurelius grew from a long-standing musical bond with pianist Will Butterworth, forged twenty years ago in a smoky West London bar where they played together six nights a week. Performing there to the likes of Mick Jagger, Madonna, and Annie Lennox, along with pilgrimages to hear Paul Motian in mid-2000s New York shaped their jazz education. These experiences echo through the music of Aurelius, as they seek out beauty within the corners of their improvisations. Joined by kindred spirit drummer Peter Ibbetson, they embrace a sense of limitless musical possibility.

‘‘I think it sounds fantastic. All three are playing beautifully. Great sounds, compositions and beautiful use of space. Very happy to have heard it‘‘……. Larry Grenadier

” There’s a sense that this trio are being completely true to their musical selves. It’s a beautiful album, to be listened to again and again”…… London Jazz News

Band
Marcus Penrose - Double Bass
Will Butterworth - Piano
Peter Ibbetson - Drums
£15.00

Venue Address
St Ambrose’s Parish Centre
Leswell St,
Kidderminster DY10 1RP

Bring Your Own Bottle/Drinks

Terence Collie Quartet at Kidderminster Jazz Club, St. Ambroses’s Parish Centre, Kidderminster, Worcs.

Date: Friday, October 02, 2026

Featuring: Terence Collie

More details

From;
https://www.kidderminsterjazzclub.co.uk/2026-2027-season-show

Terence Collie Quartet
Kidderminster Jazz Club
Fri, Oct 2 @ 7:00PM

With the summer release of his new album, DNA, pianist Terence Collie brings his quartet to Kidderminster Jazz Club for an evening of melodic, engaging jazz.

Alongside original compositions, the band will perform a selection of well-loved standards, often woven into inventive medleys and approached with warmth, taste and a fresh perspective. Collie’s playing combines lyrical phrasing, strong groove and a natural sense of storytelling.

In this more intimate quartet setting, the music opens up for expressive interplay and engaging improvisation, with each member of the band contributing to a dynamic and responsive group sound.

Expect an evening of accessible jazz, memorable tunes and inventive solos from a band performing with energy, sensitivity and flair.

Band
Terence Collie - Piano
Nick Lenner-Webster - Double Bass
Ted Carrasco - Drums
Cosimo Keita Cadore - Percussion

£15.00

Venue Address
St Ambrose’s Parish Centre
Leswell St,
Kidderminster DY10 1RP

Bring Your Own Bottle/Drinks

Bryan Corbett’s Instrumental Groove Unit (IGU) at Kidderminster Jazz Club, St. Ambrose’s Parish Centre, Kidderminser, Worcs.

Date: Friday, September 04, 2026

Featuring: Bryan Corbett

More details

From;
https://www.kidderminsterjazzclub.co.uk/2026-2027-season-show

IGU (Instrutmential Groove Unit)
Kidderminster Jazz Club
Fri, Sep 4 @ 7:00PM
Bryan Corbett presents The ‘Instrumental Groove Unit’

“The Bomb” – Courtney Pine “Something special” – Michael Parkinson

Renowned Birmingham-based trumpeter and flugelhorn player Bryan Corbett presents a new original project full of improvisation, hip grooves, beautiful melodies, unique musicianship, interplay and virtuosity. Bryan’s musical journey is a tapestry of diverse collaborations and artistic pursuits. As a sought-after session musician, he has lent his talents to some of the biggest names and acclaimed artists across various genres. From The Brand New Heavies, Ben E King,
This exciting new project introduces original material and a repertoire with emphasis on the ‘pocket’ of groove and freedom of improvisation. Bryan introduces the project as “A chance to play some original tunes and ideas coming to it from a different angle than I normally would”.

Venue Address
St Ambrose’s Parish Centre
Leswell St,
Kidderminster DY10 1RP

Bring Your Own Bottle/Drinks

Band
Brtan Corbett - trumpet, flugel
Lke Harris - Drums
Wayne Matthews - Bass
Paul Deats - Fender Rhodes
£15.00

Will Barnes Quartet, Upstairs at Ronnie Scott’s, Soho, London.

Date: Tuesday, July 07, 2026

Featuring: Will Barnes Quartet

Venue

Ronnie Scott’s, London

47 Frith Street
Soho, London
W1D 4HT

More details

We have received the following press release regarding this event;

Will Barnes Quartet Bring Acclaimed Outside the Light to Upstairs at Ronnie’s
Tuesday 7 July 2026 | Upstairs at Ronnie Scott’s, London

Following a breakthrough year that has seen widespread critical acclaim for their second album Outside the Light, the Will Barnes Quartet will make a highly anticipated appearance at Upstairs at Ronnie Scott’s on Tuesday 7 July 2026.

Led by guitarist and composer Will Barnes, the quartet has emerged as one of the most distinctive voices in contemporary British jazz, blending lyrical improvisation, evocative storytelling and a deep connection to the landscapes and folklore of Mid Wales. Their latest album, Outside the Light, released on Cambrian Records, has been praised as a significant artistic step forward, earning four-star reviews and recognition for its increasingly individual compositional voice.

The quartet features:
 Will Barnes – guitar, composer
 Jack Gonsalez – piano
 Aidan Thorne – bass
 James Batten – drums

Drawing inspiration from Celtic mythology, seasonal change and the shifting qualities of natural light across the Welsh Marches, Outside the Light explores the relationship between landscape, memory and imagination. The music moves seamlessly between richly melodic passages, contemporary jazz improvisation and moments of cinematic atmosphere, creating what All About Jazz described as “a soundscape of shimmering textures.”

Speaking about the project, Barnes explains:
“I initially set myself a brief to write eight pieces that reflect the changing seasons in our landscape here in Mid Wales. As the pieces started coming together, the project evolved, and I drew influence from Celtic folklore. The theme of seasons morphed into themes of light and dark - in particular how the change in light throughout the seasons alters our perception of the landscape and how this has influenced folklore. Each piece is written with a particular place, feeling or story in mind, and I’ll endeavour to share some of those stories at our live shows”.

Critics have responded enthusiastically to the quartet's evolving sound:

“sophisticated stuff in the contemporary vein… the playing by all concerned is immaculate throughout.” — Jazzwise

“The quartet’s most adventurous recording to date… increasingly individual and distinctive writing”— The Jazz Mann

“;All four musicians support each other as they navigate the intricacies of Barnes’ intriguing compositions.” — Jazz Views

“The band is in full creative flow… a soundscape of shimmering textures” — All About Jazz

Barnes’  own musical journey adds a distinctive perspective to the quartet’s sound. Having developed his career through gypsy jazz, bebop, folk traditions and even a background as a devoted heavy metal listener, his writing draws on a broad range of influences while remaining rooted in melody and narrative. Recent features have highlighted his transition from early inspirations in Django Reinhardt and Wes Montgomery to a more contemporary aesthetic informed by artists such as Pat Metheny and Brad Mehldau.

The quartet has performed at leading venues and festivals across the UK, including PizzaExpress Jazz Club Soho, Hay Festival, Brecon Jazz Festival and BBC Radio 4’s Loose Ends. Their live performances have earned a reputation for combining tight ensemble interplay with a sense of exploration and spontaneity that brings Barnes’ compositions vividlyto life.

Their appearance at Upstairs at Ronnie Scott’s places the group in one of London’ s most intimate and acoustically refined listening rooms, providing the ideal setting for music built on nuance, interaction and storytelling. Following the venue’s recent redevelopment, the space has quickly established itself as a showcase for emerging and established artists presenting music in a close-up, immersive environment.

For audiences discovering the quartet for the first time, and for those who have followed their journey from Source of the Severn to Outside the Light, this performance offers a rare opportunity to experience one of Britain’s most compelling contemporary jazz groups in a setting designed for attentive listening.

Will Barnes Quartet
Upstairs at Ronnie Scott’s
Tuesday 7 July 2026
Doors: 6:30pm

Terence Collie Quartet & London Strings – “DNA” Album Launch  at Crazy Coqs, Brasserie Zedel, London.

Date: Thursday, September 10, 2026

Featuring: Terence Collie

More details

From;
https://www.brasseriezedel.com/events/terence-quartet-london-strings-dna-album-launch/

Spice Jazz Soho: Terence Collie Quartet & London Strings – “DNA” Album Launch 

Date
10 Sep, 08:45 PM
Price (At The Venue)
£20
Duration(approx)
75 MINUTES

After 25 years of solid jazz promoting, as founded by Paul Pace, at the Spice of Life Soho, nurturing upcoming talents as well as established masters of the music, the SpiceJazz Team (Tara Minton and Clement Regert) are excited to relocate their acclaimed operation to the well-appointed and stylish music room of Crazy Coqs.

Terence Collie is a London-based pianist, composer and bandleader creating contemporary jazz that fuses lyrical composition, cinematic scope and rhythmic vitality. His work brings together jazz improvisation, string textures and cultural narrative, resulting in music that is both emotionally resonant and structurally distinctive. A MOBO Amplified Award winner, he has built a reputation for immersive live performances and sold-out shows at leading UK jazz venues.

This special album launch presents Terence Collie’s latest project in its full live form, bringing together the Terence Collie Quartet and the London String Trio for a powerful and immersive performance.

Blending driving rhythm, rich string writing, and expressive improvisation, the music draws on Collie’s heritage to create a sound that is both deeply personal and globally influenced. From intimate, lyrical moments to high-energy ensemble interplay, this is a dynamic and visually engaging live experience.

Band Line-Up
Terence Collie — piano
Nick Lenner-Webster — double bass
Ted Carrasco — drums
Cosimo Keita Cadore — percussion
+ The London String Trio

“mesmerising”– Jazzwise

“A superb album” – Sammy Stein, Platinum Mind

“Great feel, nice lines, nice chromatic stuff and really exciting!”– Jason Rebello

“Stunning…Terence Collie is an artist whose work deserves to be celebrated,” – Jazz In Europe

“Catch the Terence Collie Quartet if you get the chance, you won’t be disappointed.” – UK Jazz News

020 7734 4888
.(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address)
20 Sherwood Street,
London, W1F 7ED

Medina Swing at Kings Place, London.

Date: Saturday, July 04, 2026

More details

We have received the following press release regarding this event;

Medina Swing - King’s Place - Sat 4th July

Medina Swing - Sat 4th July - Kings Place

Medina Swing is more than a fusion, it is a dynamic sonic collaboration in both traditions and modernity. 

Driven by the vision of Casablanca producer Maurice Elbaz (Hafla Casablanca) this project both celebrates Moroccan identity and heritage but brings a new Maghrebi-futurism, placing it squarely in the 21st Century.

From the exquisiteness of Andalusian Noubas and emotional depth of Melhoun poetry through to the popular classics of Hocine Slaoui and the golden age from 1950–2000, the group infuses secular melodies with the liberating spirit of swing. Jazz rhythms provide sonic residency for complexity of the Tar and Darbouka to express themselves, while Jazz’s inherent improvisational ethos breathes new life into classical instruments, developing new conversational vocabulary to the music.

Three Masters, One Unique Virtuosity:

Driss Nigra (Oud): The guardian of the traditional soul, his surgical precision blends the purity of maqâms with modern phrasing.

Ahmed Guendouz (Nylon Guitar): The architect of fusion, weaving harmonic bridges between Andalusian elegance and Jazz syncopation.

Abdelfattah El Husseini (Percussions): The beating heart of the trio, merging Tarija, Darbouka, and Tar into a universal groove.

Medina Swing transforms every stage into a Mediterranean “Jazz Club” where tradition becomes an inexhaustible source of innovation. “We play the music of tomorrow with the heart of our ancestors.”

Tickets;
https://www.eventbrite.fr/e/medina-swing-in-kings-place-tickets-1989549466010
Exclusive London Debut

Kings Place
90 York Way
London N1 9AG

Nice Jazz Festival (NJF), various venues, Nice, France.

Dates: Thursday, July 23, 2026 - Saturday, July 25, 2026

Featuring: Various Artists

More details

Guest contributor Colin May has provided the following information;

Nice Jazz Fest final line-up announced

After a delay due to a change in administration and a subsequent budget cut of 800,000 euros ( see https://www.thejazzmann.com/news/article/nice-jazz-festival-facing-cuts) the full line up for the Nice Jazz Fest ( NJF), as it is now branded, has been announced. The festival which last year was four days with twenty-seven acts this year is three days, 23rd -25th July, with 18 acts.

Despite the reduced budget, international stars Sting and multi Grammy nominated hip hop artist Busta Rhymes will headline the all standing main Masséna arena , capacity 6500, on successive nights. The headliner on the third and final night will be south London singer-songwriter Lola Young who already is a Grammy winner.

Much respected saxophonist James Carter will bring his quintet to the seated Théâtre Verdure the long-time home for jazz at the NJF. His discography ranges from a recording inspired by Gipsy jazz to an electric and effects album, and he’s earned a reputation for encompassing the history of jazz in a single set, but for the NJF will be focusing specifically on John Coltrane the100th anniversary of whose birth is in September, with a performance sub-titled “A Centennial Supreme”.

Jazz and French Caribbean influences will feature with The Mario Canonge Trio who have roots in Martinique while the seven strong Getdown ensemble draw inspiration from music from Guadeloupe and the wider Caribbean. Their line-up promises three keyboard players - organ, piano, fender Rhodes - which is an intriguing prospect.

The NJF frequently gives a platform to youngish American based artists on the rise. This year it’s vocalist Gabrielle Cavassa who is out on her own following her contribution to Joshua Redmond’s 2023 album ’ Where We Are’ which led to DownBeat labelling her *a star in the making”, though I wasn’t convinced by her when seeing the album performed live. (My review is part of `https://www.thejazzmann.com/features/article/63rd-jazz-a- juan-juan-les-pins-france-8th-18th-july-2024)

Kassa Overall who has impressive sideman credentials : Geri Allen, Steve Coleman, V.J Iyer, Gary Bartz and others, offers his take on thecoming together of jazz and hip hop.

There usually is at least one act in the tradition of Django Reinhardt and Gipsy jazz and this year it is former child prodigy Biréli Lagrène who is credited with helping to
modernise that tradition.

Ticket prices for the NJF always have a history of being good value and this year the top price for the opportunity to see six bands ( it was seven bands last year) on the
24th or 25th of June is 45 euros.

However on the 23rd of June when Sting plays people will have to pay double that amount, and it remains to be seen how many will be willing to do so.

For the full line up see https://www.nicejazzfest.fr/en/programmation/2026

Herbie Hancock at New Jersey Performing Arts Center (NJPAC), Newark, New Jersey, USA.

Date: Friday, July 31, 2026

More details

We have received the following press release regarding this event;

Summer Preview - Jazz Icon Herbie Hancock Returns to Newark Jul 31 for Only Concert in Tri-State Region

Jazz Icon Herbie Hancock Returns to the New Jersey Performing Arts Center (NJPAC), July 31
sponsored in part by TD Bank

“Herbie Hancock is a jazz scientist … always focused on musical development and finding new ways of moving forward.”
– 2025 Polar Music Prize committee

NJPAC
Prudential Hall
Betty Wold Johnson Stage
One Center Street
Newark, New Jersey 07102
http://www.njpac.org

NEWARK, NJ — 14x GRAMMY winner HERBIE HANCOCK returns to the New Jersey Performing Arts Center (NJPAC) on Friday, July 31, at 8:00 p.m., in a highly anticipated one-night only concert.

Herbie Hancock is a true icon of modern music. Now 70+ years into his astounding cross-genre career, he’s one of the most acclaimed and honored musicians of our time. Along with his phenomenal band, he takes audiences on an unforgettable musical journey that’s inventive, playful and profound. Throughout his explorations, he has transcended limitations and genres while maintaining his unmistakable voice. With an illustrious career spanning five decades, multiple GRAMMY Awards including Album of the Year for River: The Joni Letters and a Lifetime Achievement Award, an Oscar, NEA Jazz Master, and Kennedy Center Honors awards, and more, he continues to amaze audiences across the globe.

There are few artists in the music industry who have had more influence on acoustic and electronic jazz and R&B than Herbie Hancock. As the immortal Miles Davis said in his autobiography, “Herbie was the step after Bud Powell and Thelonious Monk, and I haven’t heard anybody yet who has come after him.” According to Downbeat, “His career-spanning juggling act of crowd-pleasing elements with deeper-driving musicality as a jazz titan has made him a model of how to blend seriousness with funk-fueled accessibility.”

Tickets are no now sale and can be purchased by visiting NJPAC.org or calling 888.GO.NJPAC (888.466.5722) or by visiting the NJPAC Box Office at 1 Center Street, Newark, New Jersey.

About TD Bank, America’s Most Convenient Bank®     
TD Bank U.S. is a leading U.S. bank with more than 10 million clients and a network of approximately 1,100 convenient locations throughout the Northeast, Mid-Atlantic, Carolinas and Florida. We support our clients and communities with a full range of retail, small business, and commercial banking products and services. We also offer customized private banking and wealth management services, a comprehensive suite of credit card products for consumers and businesses, and automotive vehicle financing and dealer commercial services.
TD Bank U.S. is one of the 10 largest banks in the U.S. by assets and is headquartered in Mount Laurel, N.J. To learn more, visit http://www.td.com/us.
  TD Bank U.S. is a subsidiary of The Toronto-Dominion Bank, the sixth largest bank in North America by assets. The Toronto-Dominion Bank trades on the New York and Toronto stock exchanges under the ticker symbol “TD.”

About NJPAC
New Jersey Performing Arts Center (NJPAC), located in downtown Newark, New Jersey, is an anchor cultural institution for both the city of Newark and the state of New Jersey. It is an artistic, cultural, educational and civic center where great performances and events enhance and transform lives every day. NJPAC brings communities together both on and off our campus – on stages, in schools and community settings – providing access to the arts for all and showcasing the state’s and the world’s best artists, while acting as a leading catalyst in the revitalization of its home city. Through its extensive Social Impact programs, NJPAC leverages the arts to advance positive outcomes in education, health and well-being, civic engagement and community development. NJPAC has attracted more than 12.7 million visitors (including more than two million children) since opening its doors in 1997. Learn more at http://www.njpac.org.           

Neil Angilley Trio at Guildford Jazz, The University of Surrey, Guildford, Surrey.

Date: Friday, July 31, 2026

More details

Mick Thomas of Guildford Jazz writes;

Neil Angilley Trio at Guildford Jazz, The University of Surrey, Guildford, Surrey
Date: Friday, July 31, 2026
More details
Neil Angilley Trio
Friday 31 July from 20.00 to 22.15 (doors open 19.00) at The Stoke, 103 Stoke Road, Guildford GU1 4JN
A welcome return to Guildford Jazz for this awesome trio. Their unique sound incorporates instrumental virtuosity and three-part vocal harmony, creating an uplifting take on the infectious rhythms of Brazil and Cuba. They have released five albums and work regularly in the London jazz scene and across the UK, performing at prestigious venues including Ronnie Scott’s, The Stables, and the 606 Club.
Featuring Neil Angilley (piano & vocals), Davide Mantovani (bass & vocals), and Davide Giovannini (drums & lead vocals).
For more details and to book tickets visit
https://www.guildfordjazz.org.uk

Wood Street Jazz Festival feat. Liane Carroll & others at Wood Street Village Green, Wood Street, Guildford, Surrey.

Date: Sunday, July 19, 2026

Featuring: Liane Carroll

More details

Mick Thomas of Guildford Jazz writes;

Liane Carroll & others at Guildford
Jazz, Wood Street Village Green, Guildford, Surrey
Date: Sunday, July 19, 2026
More details
Annual Wood Street Jazz Festival
Sunday 19 July from 13.30 to 18.00 (gates open at 12.45) at Wood Street Village Green, Wood Street, Guildford GU3 3EU
Another wonderful afternoon on Wood Street Village Green in aid of Challengers, a charity that supports disabled young people and their families. Headlining is the multi-award-winning pianist Liane Carroll, one of the UK’s most popular and dynamic vocalists, plus the James Davison & Calum Au Quintet evoking the spirit of 50’s and 60’s jazz. There’s also a set from Wood St regulars the Somethin’ Else Big Band and a first appearance on the newcomer’s stage from the Alice Milburn Quartet. For more details and to book tickets visit
https://www.guildfordjazz.org.uk

Rob Barron Trio at Guildford Jazz, The Guildford Institute, Guildford, Surrey.

Date: Monday, July 13, 2026

Featuring: Rob Barron

More details

Mick Thomas of Guildford Jazz writes;

Rob Barron Trio at Guildford Jazz, The Guildford Institute, Guildford, Surrey
Date: Monday, July 13, 2026
More details
Rob Barron Trio
Monday 13 July from 14.00 to 15.00 (doors open for lunch at 12.00) at the Guildford Institute, Ward St, Guildford GU1 4LH
Jazz pianist and composer Rob Barron has been described as “one of the most creative and versatile musicians of his generation” and is highly regarded for his
improvisational flair and innate musicality that reveal influences of the American greats Cedar Walton, Wynton Kelly and Sonny Clark.  He performs regularly with visiting American jazz musicians and has featured on numerous movie soundtracks, including Baz Luhrmann’s adaptation of The Great Gatsby.
Completing the trio are drummer Josh Morrison and bassist Marianne Windham.
For more details and to book tickets visit
https://www.guildfordjazz.org.uk

Alex Hitchcock + more at Jazz In The Round, The Cockpit, London.

Date: Monday, July 27, 2026

More details

From;
https://www.thecockpit.org.uk/show/alex_hitchcock_more_tba

Alex Hitchcock + more TBA
Tickets
https://tickets.thecockpit.org.uk/sales/jazz-in-the-round

This event is part of:
Emergence
Jazz In The Round: All Shows
Monday 27 July 8pm
The Cockpit
Alex Hitchcock (solo)
More artist announcements coming soon

Alex Hitchcock @abhitchcock

Alex Hitchcock is a London-born saxophonist, composer, arranger, and producer based in New York. He draws inspiration politically as much as musically from artists in the radical tradition of Black American music, including Archie Shepp, Cecil Taylor, Hazel Scott, Ma Rainey, and Max Roach. His work reckons with the politics embedded in both the history and form of this music—and the struggle, resistance, and reinvention that have shaped it. Since emerging as a leader, Hitchcock has released four solo albums to widespread critical acclaim. The Guardian described him as a “virtuoso” saxophonist, while BBC Jazz World hailed him as “leading the charge in terms of new jazz music being created in the UK.” His work has been featured on the BBC, France Musique, WDR, JazzFM, Worldwide FM, and in leading publications such as Downbeat, MOJO, Jazzwise, Musica Jazz, Stereogum, and Uncut.

Hitchcock is a two-time Ivor Novello Composer Award nominee (2020, 2022), Parliamentary Jazz Awards nominee for Best Album (2023), winner of the Peter Whittingham Award (2018), and recipient of a major prize at the 2019 Umbria Jazz Festival. His writing foregrounds musical form as a site of both freedom and resistance, rejecting the co-opting of jazz as a neat synthesis of difference. He says: “I don’t want compositions to be containers that the band just fills up—we can explode the container.” Dissonance and difference exist less to be resolved than to be explored, honouring the music’s historical role as a vehicle for dissent—always inviting the listener into that negotiation.

He tours globally with his own quartet, performing at major venues and festivals including Ronnie Scott’s, the Barbican, Royal Albert Hall, Glastonbury, Bimhuis, North Sea Jazz Festival, Jazz à Vienne, Umbria Jazz Festival, Rochester International Jazz Festival, and Love Supreme. He is co-founder of LVDF, described by Soweto Kinch on BBC Radio 3 as “shifting gears and inverting time signatures on a hairpin, with so much soul and synergy.” His SAME MOON project with guitarist Ant Law was described by Jazzwise as “world-class original music making”.

TICKETS
Sliding-scale ticket options:
To help make our shows accessible while ensuring we can continue to pay our artists properly, we’ve introduced new sliding scale options for our ticket prices. These prices include our usual £15 tickets, plus ‘Pay It Forward’ options for those who are in a position to pay slightly more, as well as our half price tickets for musicians and students.
Please note: ALL ticket prices are for general admission, with all seats unreserved and first-come-first-served.
High note: £25.00
Cool cat: £20.00
Standard jam: £15.00
Students & MU members: £7.50 [ID required]

As always, carers go free, call the box office to book: 020 7258 2925

​All acts are subject to contract and may sometimes change.

The Cockpit
Gateforth Street, London NW8 8EH

Box Office: 020 7258 2925
(10.30am - 6pm, Monday - Friday,
12 noon - 6pm, Saturday)

Mavis Staples at Union Chapel, Islington, London.

Dates: Wednesday, August 12, 2026 - Thursday, August 13, 2026

More details

We have received the following confirmation regarding this event;

Hailed by NPR as “one of America’s defining voices of freedom and peace,” Mavis Staples is the kind of once-in-a-generation artist whose impact on music and culture would be difficult to overstate.

She’s both a Blues and a Rock and Roll Hall of Famer; a civil rights icon; a GRAMMY Award-winner; a chart-topping soul/gospel/R&B pioneer; a National Arts Awards Lifetime Achievement recipient; and a Kennedy Center honoree.

She marched with Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., performed at John F. Kennedy’s inauguration, and sang in Barack Obama’s White House.

She’s collaborated with everyone from Prince and Bob Dylan to Arcade Fire and Hozier, and performed with The Band at The Last Waltz.

At a time when most artists begin to wind down, Mavis Staples ramped things up, releasing a trio of critically acclaimed albums in her 70’s with Wilco’s Jeff Tweedy that prompted Pitchfork to rave that “her voice has only gained texture and power over the years”.

Tickets;
https://www.seetickets.com/tour/mavis-staples

Arctic Circle presents Daylight Music feat. Clementine March, Dominie Hooper, Isa Jordan, lunchtime event at St. John’s, Leytonstone, London.

Date: Saturday, July 04, 2026

More details

We have received the following information regarding this event;

4th July
This July we once again join forces with our friends at the Hebridean Lost Map label to present our summer showcase of songwriters and storytellers in word and sound.

We plan to transport a trio of solo artists from across the length of the country to Leytonstone with voice, cello, sythesiser, guitar and digital processing collaged together to create something magical in the ever-welcoming space of St John’s.

This event today is part of Leytonstone Festival and Leytonstone Arts Trail and we are inviting artists and audiences to leave their mark on the afternoon. Everyone who comes into the space will be invited to join in various activities: drawing or making alongside contemplating the music.

Our first destination is London-based French singer-songwriter and multi-instrumentalist Clémentine March. She mixes together jazz, folk, Brazilian pop, disco, krautrock and 90s alt-rock influences. Her third album, Powder Keg moves fluidly between hypnotic art-pop, motorik punk, symphonic disco and lush Brazilian-inspired songwriting, while exploring themes of memory, friendship, romanticism and the passage of time.

Looking further across the musical map of the afternoon, we are proud to present Dominie Hooper, a songwriter and multi-instrumentalist whose emotionally raw, ritualistic songs draw together textured cello, jagged guitars and a voice of striking power and vulnerability. Rooted in the rugged landscapes and folklore of her Devon upbringing, her acclaimed debut album In This Body Lives— explores memory, identity, healing and human connection.

At the top of the map is Isa Gordon is an Ayrshire-raised, Glasgow-based producer, singer and multi-instrumentalist whose genre-defying music fuses folk tradition with club electronics, punk energy and experimental sound design. She reimagines folk standards and 20th-century songs by artists including Richard Thompson, Lou Reed, Robert Wyatt and Black Sabbath, treating each song as living folklore reshaped for a new era.

There are yet two more layers to our afternoon of creativity: a rare chance to experience live drawing to music from Andrew Rae and Nick White. These artists and illustrators are members of the Lost Map’s ensemble Owen & The Eyeballs. And if that wasn’t enough, setting the mood and filling the space as we relax into our seats will be multi-instrumentalist Terry Edwards. This is most definitely an event or an experience you are not going to want to miss!

Tickets;
https://www.tickettailor.com/events/arcticcircle/2175541

St John’s, Leytonstone
St John the Baptist, 825 High Rd Leytonstone, Bushwood, London E11 1HH,

TD James Moody Jazz Festival 2026 at New Jersey Performing Arts Centre (NJPAC), Newark, New Jersey, USA.

Dates: Friday, November 06, 2026 - Sunday, November 22, 2026

Featuring: Various Artists

More details

We have received the following press release;

Just Announced - Tix On Sale for New Jersey’s TD James Moody Jazz Festival, Nov 6-22

THE 15TH ANNUAL TD JAMES MOODY JAZZ FESTIVAL-NEW JERSEY’S LARGEST GATHERING OF JAZZ ARTISTS —NOVEMBER 6-22, 2026
Sponsored in part by TD Bank

A Landmark Year for the Preservation and Celebration of Musical Legacies

NEWARK, NJ (For Release 05.27.26) – The New Jersey Performing Arts Center (NJPAC) today announced the line-up for the highly anticipated 2026 TD James Moody Jazz Festival taking place Friday, November 6 to Sunday, November 22, 2026. Attracting thousands of fans to the city of Newark for the past 14 years, this year’s Festival presents the world’s preeminent jazz and jazz-adjacent artists in manifold events including world premiere concerts, debut collaborations, and free performances too. This year’s lineup bridges the gaps between historic icons and the visionaries of tomorrow, featuring tributes to Miles Davis, Zakir Hussain, and the Festival’s namesake James Moody as well as a rare performance by Tony Award-winning Ben Vereen in a special 80th birthday celebration. Scroll down for a preliminary schedule of Festival events with more details to be announced later this summer.

Quote from John Schreiber, NJPAC President and CEO:     
“What we deliver every year at the TD James Moody Festival is the music you love, performed in new ways; the artists you cherish in surprising and unexpected combinations; as well as new faces and new sounds you’ll want to hear more of.”

Quote from Christian McBride, TD James Moody Jazz Festival Advisor and 11x GRAMMY® Award-Winning Bassist:
“This year at the TD James Moody Jazz Festival, we’ll be remembering and celebrating some of the world’s best musicians. Legendary sitar player Niladri Kumaar will pay tribute to one of the Arts Center’s much-loved regular visitors, tabla superstar Zakir Hussain, who passed in 2024. The Moody All-Star Band will salute our festival’s namesake, James Moody. We’ll all help blow out the candles when Ben Vereen celebrates his 80th birthday the best way he knows how—on stage! And Jon Faddis will lead ‘Miles at 100,’ a concert in honor of the great Miles Davis’s centennial year. So many of your favorite jazz musicians will be on hand at the festival, from Gregory Porter to Charles Lloyd. I’ll be there too, playing with my good friend Bruce Hornsby as well as with the New Jersey Symphony. This is a lineup of one-of-a-kind performances you don’t want to miss.”

Quote from Martin Melilli, TD Bank Commercial Market President:
“TD is honored to once again support NJPAC and the TD James Moody Jazz Festival, a celebration of music, culture and community that continues to inspire audiences year after year. We believe the arts play an important role in building stronger, more connected communities, and this festival is a powerful example of how jazz can educate, uplift and bring people together.”

2026 TD JAMES MOODY JAZZ FESTIVAL ARTISTS
Andy Farber Orchestra · April May Webb · Ben Vereen · Bill Frisell · Bob Stewart · Bruce Hornsby · Charles Lloyd · Chris Komer · Christian McBride · Dizzy Gillespie All-Stars · Erena Terakubo · Eric Jacobsen · Gary Smulyan · Gregory Porter · Jesse Cook · John Clark · John Riley · Jon Faddis · Kweku Sumbry · Larry Grenadier · Lillias White · Melba Moore · Mike LeDonne · Moody All-Star Band · Niladri Kumaar · NJMEA All-State Jazz Band & Choir · New Jersey Symphony · Shoshana Bean · Stephanie Pope · Steve Turre · Todd Coolman · Wallace Roney Jr.
plus surprise special guests and more!

2026 TD JAMES MOODY JAZZ FESTIVAL LINE-UP
(subject to change)
When: November 6 – 22, 2026
Where: Multiple venues in Newark, New Jersey, including NJPAC (One Center Street), Clement’s Place (15 Washington Street), and Bethany’s Baptist Church (275 West Market Street)
Tickets: Free-$79. To purchase, contact NJPAC at 1.888.GO.NJPAC/1.888.466.5722
or visit http://www.njpac.org/jazz.

Fri 11.06 at 7:30 p.m. | Victoria Theater, NJPAC
NILADRI KUMAAR: THE SPACE BETWEEN THE NOTES HONORING ZAKIR HUSSAIN
A must-see for Indian classical music fans: The sitar star pays tribute to the late table player Zakir Hussain. Sitar star Niladri Kumaar is a musical maverick, redefining the classical Indian sound for the next generation. In this concert, he pays tribute to his friend, mentor and frequent collaborator, the late tabla maestro Zakir Hussain. Before Hussain’s passing, the sitar-tabla duo was captured in the wonderful 2017 documentary The Space Between the Notes. Kumaar will perform original compositions and revisit some of his favorite collaborations with Hussain.
Niladri Kumaar, sitar
Satyajit Talwalkar, table
Charlie Lindner, keys
Dèmitrio Albano, drums

Sat 11.07 at 6:00 p.m. | Bethany Baptist Church free
BETHANY BAPTIST JAZZ VESPERS: DIZZIE GILLESPIE ALL-STARS TRIBUTE TO JAMES MOODY
Co-presented by the Bethany Baptist Church Jazz Vespers, NJPAC begins its season-long free concert series at Newark’s Bethany Baptist Church. Since 2000, Newark’s historic Bethany Baptist Church has hosted free concerts that combine jazz and worship. This special performance by the Dizzy Gillespie All-Stars ensemble pays tribute to the Festival’s namesake: jazz legend James Moody (1925-2010).

Thu 11.12 at 7:30 p.m. | Victoria Theater, NJPAC
MILES @ 100 | JON FADDIS & FRIENDS
CELEBRATING BIRTH OF THE COOL AND KIND OF BLUE
This one-night-only jazz supergroup honors the legendary Miles Davis (1926-2026) whose Centennial is currently being celebrated worldwide.
Jon Faddis, trumpet
Erena Terakubo, saxophones/flute
Gary Smulyan, baritone saxophone
Steve Turre, trombone
John Clark, French horn
Bob Stewart, tuba
Mike LeDonne, piano
Todd Coolman, bass
John Riley, drums

Fri 11.13 at 7:00 p.m. | Chase Room, NJPAC
NJMEA ALL-STATE JAZZ BAND AND NJMEA ALL-STATE JAZZ CHOIR
Catch the next generation of great jazz artists from New Jersey. This annual concert event, co-presented by NJPAC’s Arts Education Department and the New Jersey Music Educators Association, brings together some of the very best young musicians and vocalists from across the state for a dynamic group performance. Performers include NJMEA All-State Jazz Band and NJMEA All-State Jazz Choir

Fri 11.13 at 8:00 p.m. | Prudential Hall, NJPAC
GREGORY PORTER
The two-time GRAMMY®-winning singer returns to NJPAC with his deep, warm, soulful jazzy voice. Experience “a jazz singer of thrilling presence, a booming baritone with a gift for earthy refinement and soaring uplift” (The New York Times). Gregory Porter sings with passion — and compassion — on studio albums including Liquid Spirit, Nat King Cole & Me and All Rise. This year, he’s celebrating a decade of his album Take Me to the Alley. It was an instant classic in 2016, jammed with gems like “Holding On,” “Don’t Lose Your Steam” and the indelible title track.

Sat 11.14 at 8:00 p.m. | Victoria Theater, NJPAC
JESSE COOK
A global artist in every sense of the term, Jesse Cook redefines music’s power to connect people across cultures and continents. The Paris-born, Toronto-raised master of the Spanish guitar weaves together flamenco, samba, jazz and world folk traditions into something spellbinding and uniquely his own. On stage, Cook radiates infectious energy — collaborating with his band to craft immersive experiences celebrated for their warmth, precision and emotional depth. With over a billion streams and views across platforms, his sound remains as relevant as it is revered.

Sun 11.15 at 3:00 p.m. | Victoria Theater, NJPAC
BRUCE HORNSBY WITH CHRISTIAN MCBRIDE ONE ON ONE
The GRAMMY®-winning artists jam together and talk about life, music and collaboration. Singer-songwriter/pianistBruce Hornsby and NJPAC Jazz Advisor/bassist Christian McBride will jam and chat on the intimate Victoria Theater stage, in celebration of Hornsby’s 2026 album, Indigo Park. The two artists share plenty in common: Musical adventurousness that transcends genre. Constant collaboration with the biggest names on the scene. And many well-earned GRAMMY® Awards between them. Pitchfork hails Hornsby as “a solitary spirit drifting through time, bringing people together and bringing out their best, finding the strange resolution in all the dissonance.”

Wed 11.18 at 7:30 p.m. | Clement’s Place free
JAZZ JAMS
Co-presented by NJPAC’s Jazz Advisory Committee and Rutgers Institute for Jazz Studies, Jazz Jams at Clement’s Place is a free Jazz Jams Session concert series featuring top-flight New Jersey musicians directed by pianist and bandleader, James Austin, Jr.  Audience members immerse themselves in the relaxing sounds of jazz music that stimulate the players’ and listeners’ minds. All novice and seasoned jazz musicians and singers are welcomed to jam and improv with the professional band throughout the night. Co-producers: Wayne Winborne, Executive Director, IFJS and Eyesha Marable, AVP, Comm Engagement, NJPAC.

Thu 11.19 at 1:30 p.m. | Prudential Hall, NJPAC
NEW JERSEY SYMPHONY
CHRISTIAN MCBRIDE, bass
ERIC JACOBSEN, conductor
Jazz and classical meet in this genre-defying program full of color, rhythm, and fun. Montclair’s own jazz legend Christian McBride debuts with the New Jersey Symphony in a concerto tailor-made for his unique groove and virtuosity. Program includes McBride soloing in George Duke’s Dark Wood: Bass Concerto for Christian McBride (2015) and McBride’s first work for symphony orchestra, Fried Bacon (2022). Eric Jacobsen, hailed by The New York Times as “an interpretive dynamo,” returns with the perfumed hues of Debussy’s Prelude to the Afternoon of a Faun and Rachmaninoff’s final orchestral work, written in New York City and full of longing for his Russian home.

Sat 11.21 at 8:00 p.m. | Prudential Hall, NJPAC
BEN VEREEN’S 80TH BIRTHDAY CONCERT
It’s a birthday bash for the Broadway icon! The illustrious Ben Vereen has appeared in some of the most groundbreaking works in musical theater and film. He originated Judas in Jesus Christ Superstar, won a Tony Award for Pippin and dazzled in everything from Hair to Fosse to Wicked. In addition, there have been his unforgettable roles in the Bob Fosse film All That Jazz, the landmark TV series Roots and the 2026 hit series The Gray House. On stage or screen, Ben Vereen has been at the center of American cultural history. He’ll be joined by an all-star lineup of special guests and the Andy Farber Orchestra, performing songs from Vereen’s career on Broadway, film and TV.
Ben Vereen, vocals (Pippin, Hair, Fosse, Wicked)
Shoshana Bean, vocals (Wicked, Mr. Saturday Night, The Lost Boys)
Melba Moore, vocals (Hair, Purlie, Les Miserables)
Stephanie Pope, vocals (Chicago, Fosse, Kiss of the Spider Woman)
Lillias White, vocals (The Life, Dreamgirls, Fela!, Hadestown)
Andy Farber Orchestra
and more TBA…

Sat 11.21 at 3:00 p.m. | Victoria Theater, NJPAC
CHARLES LLOYD QUARTET FEATURING BILL FRISELL, LARRY GRENADIER &  KWEKU SUMBRY
The pioneering NEA Jazz Master Charles Lloyd is at the top of his game. On sax and flute, “he has no peer save himself” (Jazzwise). At 88, Lloyd has a lifetime of achievements to look back on — but looking back isn’t his style. He’s forever moving forward, earning his crown again and again as “one of America’s most influential, experimental and spiritual musicians” (Memphis Music Hall of Fame). Over his career, he has played everything (free jazz, rock ‘n’ roll, world music, psychedelia) with everyone (B.B. King, Cannonball Adderley, Jimi Hendrix and Brian Wilson, just to name a few). Among his many accolades, he won DownBeat’s 2024 quadruple crown: Artist of the Year, Album of the Year, Tenor Saxophonist of the Year and Hall of Fame.
Charles Lloyd, saxophone/flute
Bill Frisell, guitar
Larry Grenadier, bass
Kweku Sumbry, drums

Sun 11.22 at 2:00 p.m. | Prudential Hall, NJPAC
NEW JERSEY SYMPHONY / CHRISTIAN MCBRIDE / ERIC JACOBSEN
See Nov 19 for event description.

Sun 11.22 at 11:00 a.m. + 1:00 p.m. | NICO Kitchen + Bar, NJPAC
DORTHAAN’S PLACE / WALLACE RONEY JR. QUARTET
NJPAC continues Dorthaan’s Place, its popular Sunday jazz brunch series at NICO Kitchen + Bar curated by Newark’s First Lady of Jazz, Dorthaan Kirk. The series made its debut during NJPAC’s 2012-13 season and has grown ever since. This edition presents the bold, forward-looking sound of electrifying young trumpeter Wallace Roney Jr., leading his Quartet. He comes from a renowned jazz family — his parents are late jazz luminaries Wallace Roney and Geri Allen. His quartet explores the music of Miles Davis, with fearlessly fresh improvisational talent.
“The finest in jazz is on the menu… anticipation runs high at Dorthaan’s Place, whether you’re there for the music, the food, the scene, Dorthaan, or all of the above.” (All About Jazz)
There are two brunch seatings: 11:00 a.m. (music begins at 11:30 a.m.) and 1:00 p.m. (music begins at 1:30 p.m.).

Sun 11.22 at 3:00 p.m. | Victoria Theater, NJPAC
15th ANNUAL SARAH VAUGHAN INTERNATIONAL JAZZ VOCAL COMPETITION
The divine Sarah Vaughan—Newark’s greatest musical gift to the world—got her start as the winner of a talent contest. NJPAC honors her legacy every year with the Sarah Vaughan International Jazz Vocal Competition, the only global jazz vocal contest of its kind, open to all genders and nationalities. This event offers outstanding jazz singers a one-of-a-kind platform for embarking on a career in the music business—and offers audience members a chance to discover the jazz stars of tomorrow. For this 15th annual “The SASSY Awards” event, WBGO Radio’s Gary Walker will host and 2024 SVVC winner April May Webb will perform. A panel of all-star judges—Jose James, Gretchen Parlato, Jason Olaine, Lillias White, and T.S. Monk—will select the winner. Gifted young contestants from around the world are evaluated on vocal quality, musicality, technique, performance, individuality, artistic interpretation, and ability to swing. The winner receives a $5,000 cash prize. Past winners include Samara Joy, Cyrille Aimée, Jazzmeia Horn, Quiana Lynell, Laurin Talese, and more. For more information or to enter the competition, visit SarahVaughanCompetition.com.

About TD Bank, America’s Most Convenient Bank®   
TD Bank U.S. is a leading U.S. bank with more than 10 million clients and a network of approximately 1,100 convenient locations throughout the Northeast, Mid-Atlantic, Carolinas and Florida. We support our clients and communities with a full range of retail, small business, and commercial banking products and services. We also offer customized private banking and wealth management services, a comprehensive suite of credit card products for consumers and businesses, and automotive vehicle financing and dealer commercial services.
TD Bank U.S. is one of the 10 largest banks in the U.S. by assets and is headquartered in Mount Laurel, N.J. To learn more, visit http://www.td.com/us.
  TD Bank U.S. is a subsidiary of The Toronto-Dominion Bank, the sixth largest bank in North America by assets. The Toronto-Dominion Bank trades on the New York and Toronto stock exchanges under the ticker symbol “TD.”

About NJPAC
New Jersey Performing Arts Center (NJPAC), located in downtown Newark, New Jersey, is an anchor cultural institution for both the city of Newark and the state of New Jersey. It is an artistic, cultural, educational and civic center where great performances and events enhance and transform lives every day. NJPAC brings communities together both on and off our campus – on stages, in schools and community settings – providing access to the arts for all and showcasing the state’s and the world’s best artists, while acting as a leading catalyst in the revitalization of its home city. Through its extensive Social Impact programs, NJPAC leverages the arts to advance positive outcomes in education, health and well-being, civic engagement and community development. NJPAC has attracted more than 12.7 million visitors (including more than two million children) since opening its doors in 1997. Learn more at http://www.njpac.org.       

Brecon Jazz Festival 226, various venues, Brecon.

Dates: Thursday, August 06, 2026 - Sunday, August 09, 2026

Featuring: Various Artists

More details

25/05/2026 - We have received the following information;

Brecon Jazz Favourites for you in 2026

GREETINGS EVERYONE
BRECON JAZZ FESTIVAL 2026
now less than three months away
43 years of amazing music
Thurs 6th - Sun 10th August
WITH MANY RETURNING FAVOURITES

at the GUILDHALL -
Jon Crespo, Dave Jones, Ursula Harrison, with newer faces Olivia Cuttill, Phoenician Blinds (check them out!)
http://breconjazzfestival.org

- in the MUSE -
Dionne Bennett, Jack Mac, Hot Club Gallois, Bella Collins, Jane Williams & Gareth Evans, Fabulous Red Diesel Band - and get to know Grounded Thread, Jack Pearce, Cable Street Rag Band
http://breconjazzfestival.org

- at THEATR BRYCHEINIOG -
Orphy Robinson, Lianne Carroll, Jacqui Dankworth, Will Barnes, Tomos Williams/Paula Gardiner,  Emma Smith & Francesca Tandoi - plus the amazing, must see ‘Ferg’s Imaginary Big Band’
http://brycheiniog.co.uk
And opening on Thursday 6th August, Courtney Pine

All details on website
Tickets are via two channels:
Theatr events / Guildhall+Muse events
http://brycheiniog.co.uk
http://breconjazzfestival.org

EMAIL CONTACT: .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address)

Well Hung Heart plus Ruzz Evans at Mid Wales Rhythm & Blues Club, The Muse, Brecon.

Date: Sunday, July 26, 2026

More details

From;
http://midwalesrandb.club/event/grow-vision-music-mwrbc-proudly-presents-well-hung-heart-live-at-the-muse-brecon/

GROW VISION MUSIC & MWR&BC Proudly Presents WELL HUNG HEART live at The Muse Brecon…
July 26 @ 6:30 pm - 10:30 pm

WELL HUNG HEART live in WALES…

Explosive, genre-defying, and unapologetically raw — WHH is returning to the stage for a one-off show in Wales to help celebrate the 12th year of The MWR&BC at The Muse in Brecon.

This will be the band’s only scheduled Wales appearance for 2026, making it a rare and unmissable performance.

Formed by Greta Valenti and Robin Davey, WHH has carved out a fierce reputation for their incendiary live shows, blending garage rock, blues, punk, and a splash of soul into a sound that’s as rebellious as it is unforgettable.

The line-up will feature Valenti and Davey alongside original drummer Phil Wilson and more special guests tba, delivering a high-voltage set packed with fuzzed-out riffs, primal vocals, and unapologetic attitude.

From the U.S. West Coast to stages across the UK and Europe, WHH’s live shows are equal parts sonic assault and immersive performance art.

This intimate gig at The Muse will be a rare opportunity to witness the band’s full force up close.

More at.
http://www.wellhungheart.com

Special Guest will be.
RUZZ EVANS(Solo performance)…
Based in Bristol, UK, Gretsch-endorsed guitarist.
“Ruzz Guitar is without doubt one mighty fine guitarist, with a range of styles, but clearly bound up in his love of playing the Blues”
Pete Clack (Blues In Britain Magazine)
“Ruzz Guitar is a joy to see and keeps this beautiful roots music alive and well”
– Kirk Fletcher (The Fabulous Thunderbirds/Joe Bonamassa/Solo Band)
More at.
https://www.thebluesrevue.com/

Tickets £25
Doors Open 5.30pm
Show Time
6.30pm RUZZ EVENS
7.30pm WELL HUNG HEART

More details please contact Angus Kings directly via 0786 6000 596 / .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address)

£25

The Muse at Brecon
The Muse, Glamorgan Street
Brecon, Powys LD37DW.

Kyle Eastwood Quintet at Palladino’s Jazz Bar, Whitchurch, Cardiff.

Dates: Wednesday, July 08, 2026 - Thursday, July 09, 2026

Featuring: Kyle Eastwood Band

More details

We have received the following information regarding these events;

Palladino’s Jazz Bar
Presents:
The Kyle Eastwood Quintet
8th & 9th July 2026

Palladino’s Jazz and Blues Bar
73 Merthyr Road
Whitchurch, Cardiff, CF14 1DD
https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/the-kyle-eastwood-quintet-tickets-1986761393811

Palladino’s Jazz and Blues Bar is proud to present the Kyle Eastwood Band, hosting one of their first UK performance since 2024. Kyle is Clint’s son, but first and foremost a talented jazz bass player and composer of music for movies, among which GranTorino, Mystic River, Million Dollar Baby, Letters from Iwo Jima and Invictus. He is the author of nine albums, the last of which, Eastwood Symphonic, is a symphonic spin-off on Clint’s cult movie themes.

Having only been open for around a year, Palladino’s Jazz Bar has been building a strong reputation as the best location to experience live jazz in Cardiff. The carefully curated series of concerts are enhanced by a top of the range sound system and backline production, with a relaxed yet vibrant atmosphere that perfectly compliments the music. Venue boss (and drummer) Marc Palladino’s brother is the Grammy award winning songwriter, producer and bassist Pino Palladino, widely known for his work with artists including D’Angelo, Erykah Badu, Eric Clapton, Who, Nine Inch Nails, Questlove, John Mayer, Paul Simon, Jeff Beck, Herbie Hancock and Adele, John Legend, Ed Sheeran, amongst numerous others, as well as his own celebrated recordings.

The fact that the venue is run by a musician means that everything is kept to the highest standard. With many memorable performances having already taken place, Palladino’s Jazz Bar is going from strength to strength. Kyle Eastwood’s series of performances at Palladino’s will be the band’s first UK concerts in years - their booking clearly demonstrate the calibre of musicians that Palladino’s are able to recruit.

Family-run business Pizzeria Villaggio (on the ground floor below the jazz bar) has been a firm favourite on the Cardiff culinary scene for generations. Don’t miss this chance to experience the full venue in action!

2 x sets per night, each set 75 minutes.

The Kyle Eastwood Band Are:

Quentin Collins: Trumpeter Quentin Collins is widely regarded as one of the UK’s leading jazz and commercial players, with a career spanning over two decades. He has performed and recorded with an extraordinary range of artists including Prince, Alicia Keys, Mark Ronson, Gregory Porter and Basement Jaxx, with whom he toured internationally. His debut album If Not Now, Then When? was named Jazz Album of the Year, while his 2019 release Road Warriorreceived widespread acclaim, including five stars from BBC Music Magazine. A long-standing member of the Kyle Eastwood Band since 2011, Collins has featured prominently as a performer, composer and arranger on multiple albums and global tours. He co-leads QCBA with Brandon Allen and is also the co-founder and Artistic Director of Ubuntu Music, where he has produced and supported emerging jazz talent. Alongside his performing career, Collins is an experienced educator, having taught internationally and mentored students at the Trinity Laban Conservatoire of Music and Dance.

Chris Higginbottom: A core member of the Kyle Eastwood Band for over a decade, Chris Higginbottom is one of the UK’s most in-demand drummers. A graduate of the Royal Academy of Music, he is also a member of the Ronnie Scott’s All Stars and has released two albums under his own name. Now based in London, Chris previously spent eight years in New York, performing with leading jazz artists including Mark Murphy and Seamus Blake. He can also be heard on recent releases by Van Morrison.

Brandon Allen: Originally from Perth, Western Australia, saxophonist Brandon Allen relocated to London in 2000 and has since established himself as a major presence on the UK jazz scene. He has performed across a wide range of genres with high-profile artists including Eric Clapton, Paloma Faith, Beverley Knight, Jools Holland and Neil Diamond. He co-leads OMAR + QCBA alongside UK soul artist Omar Lyefook, touring internationally, and leads several of his own projects including the Brandon Allen Quartet and Groove Band. In addition to performing, he is a Jazz Professor at the Guildhall School of Music & Drama. Widely acclaimed by critics, Allen is regarded as one of the most exciting tenor saxophonists in Britain today.

Andrew McCormack: Pianist and composer Andrew McCormack has built a wide-ranging international career, performing at major venues and festivals worldwide. His debut album Telescope (2005) earned him the BBC Jazz Award for Rising Star, and he has since released a series of critically acclaimed recordings including Live in Londonand First Light. His 2022 release Terra Firma, featuring a new trio, received widespread praise and led to extensive touring across the UK and Europe, including sold-out performances at Ronnie Scott’s Jazz Club and Duc des Lombards. McCormack also collaborates closely with saxophonist Jason Yarde, with whom he has toured internationally. Beyond performance, he has composed for ensembles including the London Symphony Orchestra and worked as an orchestrator on films by Clint Eastwood, including Flags of Our Fathers and Changeling. A long-time collaborator with the Kyle Eastwood Band, McCormack is also an acclaimed solo artist, known for his expressive improvisation and compositional depth.

Yetii with guests Laura Jurd and Jake McMurchie at St. George’s Concert Hall, Bristol.

Date: Thursday, September 24, 2026

Featuring: Yetii

More details

Alex Veitch of Yetii writes;

mercury nominated trumpet player and composer LAURA JURD is our first musical guest at ST. GEORGE’S CONCERT HALL in Bristol on THURSDAY 24TH SEPTEMBER. I wanted to write to share a bit more about Laura: she’s an incredible musician and we’re excited to be performing together again!

“Composer Jurd with her band of co-virtuosos have now pulled-off what might be considered a masterpiece.” All About Jazz

“Simply stupendous ... a glorious, shifting collage of sound.” BBC Music Magazine

HERE IS THE TICKET LINK
https://www.stgeorgesbristol.co.uk/whats-on/yetii-guests/

Laura is one of the leading talents on the UK jazz scene. She leads Mercury-nominated band Dinosaur, has written music for the BBC Proms, National Youth Jazz Orchestra, and BBC Concert Orchestra. She is a BBC New Generation Artist, winner of a 2019 Ivor Composer Award, and recently released her 6th individual album “Rite and Revelations” to widespread critical acclaim.

And, more importantly, her combination with Yetii when she joined us earlier this year was seamless. She added to our compositions in new and interesting ways and it was a joyful and exciting night of music making. Laura also has the distinction of being our “fastest to sell out Greenbank show” and so we thought you might want to see some more of her playing with Yetii!

HERE is a live video of Laura in action, playing one of her original tunes from her latest album
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_m2NmKvSDJc

Enjoy!
All the best,
Alex Veitch

St George’s Bristol
Great George Street
(off Park Street)
Bristol, BS1 5RR

Box Office
0117 929 4929

.(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address)

Saxophonist JAKE MCMURCHIE is our second guest at ST. GEORGE’S in September. I know a lot of you will know Jake from Yetii or his other projects. But for those who don’t, let me introduce him!

“A revelation” London Evening Standard

“It’s really imaginative contemporary music, with a hot free jazz core” The Guardian

“Where has he been? A very, very good saxophonist. Very original, very passionate” BBC Radio 3

Jake is a local legend. His performance credits include Portishead and Massive Attack, and he is a founding member of the BBC Jazz Award winning “Get the Blessing”. Jake is our longest term collaborator, having come on tour with Yetii and recorded some Beatles tracks with us at our home studio. He really understands what we do, as well as bringing the energy with his virtuosic blues and bebop over some of our newer compositions. A joy to play with!

HERE is a video of Yetii with Jake playing our version of “Blackbird” by The Beatles.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8Cv-oXHNV28

“

Gŵyl ABERTEIFI LIVE, various venues, Cardigan.

Dates: Friday, October 30, 2026 - Saturday, October 31, 2026

Featuring: Various Artists

More details

Details to be announced.

Festival website;
http://www.aberteifilive.co.uk

Daylight Music ; Lost Map Summer Soirée, lunchtime event at St John’s, Leytonstone, London.

Date: Saturday, July 04, 2026

More details

From;
https://jointhecircle.net/events/404

404: Lost Map Summer Soirée
Saturday 4 July 2026
12:00 13:00
St John’s, Leytonstone
825 High Road Leytonstone, London, E11 1HH.

This July we once again join forces with the Lost Map label to present our regular summer showcase of marvellous music makers. A trio of artists will present beautiful, bewildering and bewitching sounds as well as storytelling for all the senses. Artist tbc.

Arctic Circle’s Daylight Music has, for nealy seventeen years, become an important part of London’s live music scene, with a weird and wonderful mix of musicians presenting ideas and storytelling in music and sound, alongside delicious cake, in some of the most splendid and iconic venues.

Further event details: Cafe open. An event for all ages. Pay-What-You-Can entry in advance or on the door (£12 per adult suggestion, children free), subject to availability/capacity.

Debbie Arthurs’ Hot Five at Brecon Jazz Club, The Muse Arts Centre, Brecon.

Date: Tuesday, July 14, 2026

More details

We have received the following information regarding this event;

Tuesday 14th July, 8pm Muse
Debbie Arthurs’ Hot Five
We know you love this music and here it is!
Swing from the ‘40s with vocals, sax, banjo, trombone lineup.
‘Earlybird’ tickets £15 available
Standard @ £17, Door £19
https://www.ticketsource.com/breconjazz-jazzlivecymru/t-aaarvez
PWYC & Youth ticket options on all shows

BRECON JAZZ CLUB
MUSE ARTS CENTRE
Glamorgan St.
Brecon, LD3 7DW

Terence Blanchard & Ravi Coltrane:  Miles Davis and John Coltrane at 100 at Cadogan Hall, London.

Date: Thursday, July 09, 2026

More details

We have received the following information regarding this event;

Thursday 9 July, Cadogan Hall
Terence Blanchard & Ravi Coltrane:
Miles Davis and John Coltrane at 100

2026 marks the centennial of two visionary architects of modern jazz: Miles Davis and John Coltrane. To celebrate their enduring legacy, two of today’s most innovative and influential bandleaders – Terence Blanchard and Ravi Coltrane – will join forces for a special celebratory concert at Cadogan Hall with a full live band.

Blanchard and Coltrane, both deeply connected to the spirit and lineage of these jazz icons, embody the very essence of creativity, futurism, transcendence, freedom and the timeless “birth of cool” that defined Miles and Trane’s artistry. Staying true to the spirit of jazz, this centennial tribute will thrive on improvisation, creativity, and emotional depth - making it a night that is both singular and impossible to replicate.

Part of the Summer Jazz Series, this unmissable line-up brings together a handpicked selection of world-class jazz talent from across the globe.

Tickets;
https://serious.org.uk/events/terence-blanchard-and-ravi-coltrane-miles-davis-and-john-coltrane-at-100

Thu 09 July 2026
Stage time / 7:30pm
Doors / 7:00pm

Location
Cadogan Hall,
5 Sloane Terrace
SW1X 9DQ

https://cadoganhall.com/

Renall Shaw’s “Remember Us Tomorrow” at Kings Place, London.

Date: Friday, October 09, 2026

More details

We have received the following information regarding this event;

Fri 9 Oct | Hall One 7.30pm
REMEMBER US TOMORROW
The world premiere of this newly commissioned third and final chapter of his acclaimed work The Windrush Suite. With Remember Us Tomorrow, Renell Shaw turns towards the future. This powerful new work asks what it means to be of Afro-Caribbean heritage after three generations in Britain, raising a fourth generation
in a world that is both hyper-connected and deeply divided.
Ticket Prices: £20 – £25
Booking Link: https://www.kingsplace.co.uk/whats-on/jazz/renell-shaw-remember-us-tomorrow/
Further information to be announced.

About Renell Shaw
Renell Shaw is a composer, songwriter, producer, and performer building a distinctive creative world through music, story, and live experience. His work brings together theatre, contemporary composition, songcraft, and performance in ways that feel cinematic, immersive, and emotionally direct. Rather than treating these disciplines as separate lanes, he uses them as part of one larger artistic language, creating work that moves people, deepens perspective, and leaves a lasting impression.
An Ivor Novello Award winning composer and platinum selling songwriter, Renell works across stage, studio, and collaboration with a voice that is culturally grounded and forward facing. His credits include The Windrush Suite, Vivaldi’s Four Seasons of the Caribbean, Othello and The Crucible at Shakespeare’s Globe, and Is God Is at the Royal Court. He has also written and collaborated with artists including Rudimental, Anne-Marie, Nile Rodgers, Emeli Sandé, and Nitin Sawhney. Alongside this, he is one half of 2fox, a project rooted in soulful house, live musicianship, and contemporary Black British sound, which has built an audience of over 30 million streams and more than 250,000 monthly listeners.

About Kings Place
Kings Place is an adventurous music and arts venue with an ambition to inspire local community and promote the power of the arts in our society. Its venues enable learning, discovery, debate and experiences that are powerfully intimate, enabling human connection between artists and audiences.
The dedicated and supportive team programmes a series of festivals and events, developing cross-arts collaborations and artistic relationships that deliver unforgettable live experiences.
The award-winning concert series, Unwrapped, is its flagship programme, exploring big ideas and overarching themes across the year. Kings Place is also the UK’s home of live podcasting as creators and hosts of the London Podcast Festival.
As a registered charity Kings Place does not receive regular public funding. Income is generated through ticket sales, donations, grants, and the staging of world-class conferences and events.

Kings Place, 90 York Way, King’s Cross, London N1 9AG

http://www.kingsplace.co.uk/

Jorge Drexler at The Roundhouse, Camden, London.

Date: Tuesday, October 27, 2026

More details

We have received the following press release;

Jorge Drexler Announces London Show At The Roundhouse As Part Of “TARACÁ” World Tour

*Academy Award–winning Uruguayan songwriter brings new album TARACÁ to London with full band on Tuesday October 27, 2026*

**Tickets go on pre-sale this Thursday April 9th at 3pm, and on general sale Friday April 10th at 3pm [HERE]**
https://comono.co.uk/artists/jorge-drexler/

The Academy Award–winning Uruguayan singer and composer Jorge Drexler has announced he will return to London to perform at The Roundhouse on Tuesday October 27, 2026 as part of his international “TARACÁ” tour.

The show follows the arrival of Drexler’s new album TARACÁ, released in March 2026, which marks a new creative chapter in his career. On the album, Drexler returns to musical roots that have shaped his artistic identity while continuing to expand his sonic palette, with the Afro-Uruguayan rhythm of candombe running throughout the record.

Elena Beltrami, Director of Como No:
“We’re very happy to be bringing Jorge back to London. Over the years we’ve promoted several memorable shows with him in the UK, including his sold-out night at the Roundhouse in 2020. His concerts are always special, and it’s exciting to present this new chapter with the music of TARACÁ.”

The TARACÁ Tour sees Drexler performing with a seven-piece band, bringing the new album to life on stage while revisiting key moments from across his acclaimed catalogue.

The London show marks Drexler’s return to the Roundhouse following his sold-out performance at the venue in 2020, and continues a longstanding relationship with UK audiences following appearances at the Barbican, Cadogan Hall and Union Chapel.

About Jorge Drexler
Uruguayan singer, songwriter and composer Jorge Drexler is one of the most distinctive voices in contemporary Ibero-American music. Across a career spanning more than three decades, he has released fifteen studio albums and performed worldwide, building an artistic identity defined by curiosity, experimentation and poetic lyricism.
His work moves fluidly between music, literature and science, and has received numerous international honours, including an Academy Award for Best Original Song, sixteen Latin Grammy Awards, and a Goya Award.
His previous album Tinta y Tiempo won seven Latin Grammys and led to a global tour of more than 90 concerts. In March 2026 he released TARACÁ, rooted in the Afro-Uruguayan rhythm of candombe and presented live on his international TARACÁ tour.

Roundhouse
Chalk Farm Road London NW1 8EH
http://www.roundhouse.org.uk

John Scofield Long Days Quartet at Union Chapel, Islington, London.

Date: Thursday, August 20, 2026

More details

We have received the following information regarding this event;

AGMP Concerts presents
JOHN SCOFIELD
LONG DAYS QUARTET

John Scofield (Guitar)
John Medeski (Keyboards)
Ted Poor (Drums)
Vicente Archer (Bass)

Calling it the Long Days Quartet in honour of the lengthy daylight hours of summer, this group is freshly forming to debut Scofield’s recent groove compositions and revisit some classic Scofield material with modern perspectives.
27 years after their initial association (John Scofield’s A GoGo album) keyboardist John Medeski and John Scofield continue their imaginative collaboration together.
Over the decades they’ve followed with three more albums and much touring with Medeski Scofield Martin and Wood, Duo work and together in the cooperative project Hudson.

Tickets;
https://www.seetickets.com/event/john-scofield-long-days-quartet/union-chapel/3596710

Union Chapel
19b Compton Terrace
London
N1 2UN

Travelling Riverside Blues Show with Remi Harris & Roger Keenan at The Hive Music & Media Centre, Shrewsbury.

Date: Friday, July 17, 2026

Featuring: Remi Harris

More details

From;
https://events.hiveonline.org.uk/

Travelling Riverside Blues Show
Tickets from £17

Friday 17th July
Doors at 7pm
Show starts at 7.45pm
Seated gig

Join two fine blues musicians and enjoy an evening listening to the sounds and tales of the Mississippi. The simple sound of acoustic guitar and vocal brings the Delta to life, celebrating the power and energy of the bluesmen who created the musical legend.

This early raw style – just traditional guitar and vocal - formed the foundation of modern blues music. This show weaves a story of hopes and dreams, hardship and poverty through soulful and passionate music, along with tales bringing those times and people to life.

Sit back and enjoy The Travelling Riverside Blues Show on a journey through the Delta.

https://events.hiveonline.org.uk/whats-on/travelling-riverside-blues-show/

Josephine Davies Satori Quartet at Shrewsbury Jazz Network, The Hive Music & Media Centre, Shrewsbury.

Date: Saturday, July 11, 2026

Featuring: Josephine Davies

Venue

The Hive, Shrewsbury

5 Belmont,
Shrewsbury,
Shropshire.
UK

More details

From;
https://events.hiveonline.org.uk/

Jul
11
Sat
19:00

Josephine Davies Satori Quartet
Tickets from £12
Saturday July 11 £25/£12 U22
Doors open at 6:30pm for a 7:00pm start.

Award winning saxophonist & composer Josephine Davies brings her dynamic ensemble Satori to SJN at the Hive to perform the music from ‘Weatherwards’. The album is inspired by Josephine’s Nordic roots in the Shetland Islands, and beautifully weaves together the band’s contemporary jazz background with a hauntingly evocative folk influence. The intricate compositions, coupled with the thrilling interplay between Pianist Alcyona Mick, Bassist Dave Whitford & drummer Jay Davis, evokes the interconnection of Shetland sea, land, sky, and ever-present wind.

Fluent, Imaginative ……The Jazz Mann

Elles Bailey at The Subscription Rooms, Stroud, Glos.

Date: Thursday, October 15, 2026

More details

We have received the following information regarding this event;

Elles Bailey

Champions & Patrons on sale Wed 8 April
Members on sale Thu 9 April
General on sale Fri 10 April

Elles Bailey
7.30pm | Thursday 15th October 2026

Rising from the UK blues scene to international acclaim.
Backed by her road-honed band, singer-songwriter Elles Bailey’s raw, smoky vocals now sit at the centre of a sound that’s equal parts Southern soul, British grit, and pure authenticity.
There’s a steeliness that courses through Elles Bailey’s latest album, Can’t Take My Story Away. Fiercely independent, the British singer-songwriter has been steadily honing her craft for the better part of a decade.
https://thesubrooms.co.uk/whats-on/elles-bailey

The Subscription Rooms
George St
Stroud
GL5 1AE

Elles Bailey is a Bristol-born, award-winning independent singer-songwriter whose smoky voice and roots-influenced songwriting have made her a leading figure on the UK blues and Americana scene. A multiple UK Blues Award winner and inductee of the UK Blues Hall of Fame, she reached a new milestone with her 2024 album Beneath The Neon Glow, which charted at No. 12 on the UK Official Albums Chart and topped the Official Jazz & Blues Albums Chart.

In 2025 , she toured the UK supporting Brit Award winner Rag’n'Bone Man before releasing her fifth studio album, Can’t Take My Story Away, on 16 January 2026. The album debuted at No. 1 on the Official Jazz & Blues Albums Chart and the Record Store Chart, No. 2 on the Official Independent Chart, and No. 14 on the Official Albums Chart. Produced by Luke Potashnick and recorded with a stellar lineup of musicians, including renowned producer Ethan Jones, the eleven tracks of Can’t Take My Story Away tie together to form the album Elles was destined to make. Created over a three-year period, using songs whose origins date back almost ten years, it offers an honest and vulnerable glimpse into Bailey’s story.

The album has already received widespread acclaim, including 4 ★ revies from MOJO and The Sun, with MOJO praising Bailey: ‘‘Blessed with a voice that’s equal parts Etta James’s emotional gravity an Janis Joplin’s gritty power, Elles Bailey is a musical marvel.’‘

The release included a sold-out tour of record stores around the country, while the single ‘Growing Roots’ hit BBC Radio 2’s A-List and was the most-played track on the station for the first three weeks of 2026.

Following a hugely successful UK and European headlines tour with her long-standing band- playing to full rooms every night. Bailey will take the album further afield with US fesival appearances alongside Jason Isbell and Tedeschi Trucks Band, as well as additional US dates later this year with the legendary Judy Collins.

She is also set to play many festivals across the UK this summer, including State Fayre in Chelmsford alongside Alanis Morissette and Kings of Leon, and headlining Beardy Folk Fest, The British Country Music Festival and then continuing her headlines touring in Autumn 2026.

In addition to her recording and touring work, Elles Bailey is a regular presenter on Planet Rock radio, sharing her passion for blues, rock, and roots music with a national audience. Through her weekly show, she highlights both classic tracks and emerging artists, giving listeners insight into the songs and stories that have shaped her own musical journey.

Date:
Thu 15 Oct 2026
Start Time:
19:30
Doors:
18:30
Venue:
The Sub Rooms
Price:
£30 - £35
Event Is:
Standing + Seated Balcony
Event Type:
Music

Thamesmead Festival at Southmere Lake, Binsey Walk, London SE2.

Date: Saturday, August 08, 2026

More details

From;
https://serious.org.uk/events/thamesmead-festival-2026

Sat 08 August 2026
Stage time / 12:00pm
Location
LONDON Thamesmead Festival,
Southmere Lake,
Binsey Walk,
SE2 9TU

Tickets
FREE

Thamesmead Festival is back on Saturday 8 August 2026!

Thamesmead’s free, family-friendly festival promises another unforgettable celebration of music, culture and community spirit.

Expect a day full of music, dance, comedy, art, food, local crafts, a dog show and much more. Local clubs, community groups and charities all play their part.

https://serious.org.uk/events/thamesmead-festival-2026

Jasmine Myra at EartH Theatre, Hackney, London.

Date: Wednesday, October 28, 2026

More details

We have received the following information regarding this event;

Wednesday 28 October, EartH Theatre
Jasmine Myra
We’re thrilled to welcome back Jasmine Myra for a one-night-only performance celebrating her new album Where Light Settles. Following a standout appearance at last year’s EFG London Jazz Festival, she returns as one of the UK’s most exciting rising voices in jazz.

Tickets;
https://serious.org.uk/events/jasmine-myra

With her third album Where Light Settles, released in May on Gondwana Records, composer, saxophonist, and bandleader Jasmine Myra steps boldly into a new chapter of her evolving artistic journey. Building on the critical acclaim of Horizons (2022) and Rising (2024), this latest release marks a confident and cohesive statement from one of the UK’s most distinctive contemporary voices.

Where Light Settles is Myra’s first self-produced album, with Matthew Halsall contributing as producer. Cinematic in scope, her music draws on a love of film scores and emotive storytelling, alongside inspirations ranging from contemporary jazz and folk to the textures of the natural world. Landscapes such as North Wales, the Lake District, and the South Downs inform the album’s tonal palette—echoing its central theme of beauty and intensity coexisting in balance.

From the delicate piano-led opening to the sweeping, hopeful title track, Where Light Settles unfolds with a quiet, autumnal glow - its melodies shimmering with clarity and purpose. As Myra continues to gain recognition both in the UK and internationally, this new work signals an artist fully coming into her own, inviting audiences into a deeply felt and vividly imagined sonic landscape.

“A great new artist!”
Jamie Cullum

“A new generation of spiritual jazz”
Jazzwise

“This is beautiful and profound music.”
London Jazz News

Wed 28 October 2026
Stage time / 7:30pm
Doors / 7:00pm

Location
EartH (Theatre),
11-17 Stoke Newington Road
N16 8BH

Visit Website
https://earthackney.co.uk/

Tickets
£27.50 (incl. booking fees)

EFG London Jazz Festival 2026, various venues, London.

Dates: Friday, November 13, 2026 - Sunday, November 22, 2026

Featuring: Various Artists

More details

For full line-up and other details please visit Festival website;
https://efglondonjazzfestival.org.uk/

Edinburgh Jazz & Blues Festival 2026, various venues, Edinburgh.

Dates: Friday, July 17, 2026 - Sunday, July 26, 2026

Featuring: Various Artists

More details

For full details please visit http://www.ejbf.co.uk

Ben Crosland’s Threeway plus Rob Luft, Jazz Coventry, The Albany Club, Coventry.

Date: Thursday, September 17, 2026

More details

17th September.
Ben Crosland’s Threeway plus Rob Luft, Jazz Coventry, The Albany Club, 10 Earlsdon Street, CV5 6EG.

54th Annual Stanford Jazz Festival, various venues, Stanford University Campus, Stanford, California, USA.

Dates: Sunday, June 21, 2026 - Friday, July 31, 2026

More details

We have received the following press release;

54TH ANNUAL STANFORD JAZZ FESTIVAL PRESENTS SIX WEEKS OF VIBRANT LIVE MUSIC ON STANFORD UNIVERSITY CAMPUS, JUN 21-JUL 31

Centennial Celebrations: Miles @ 100 featuring Jeremy Pelt +
Jimmy Heath @ 100 with Jeb Patton and David Wong

Veteran Masters Billy Childs and Branford Marsalis Lead Their Respective Quartets

Acclaimed Latin Jazz Artists including Luciana Souza, Marcel Camargo, Camila Meza, Yilian Cañizares + Aldo López-Gavilán

Today’s Top Vibraphonists: Stefon Harris + Sasha Berliner

Tickets go on sale April 3 at http://www.stanfordjazz.org.

The Stanford Jazz Workshop today announced details of the 54th annual Stanford Jazz Festival taking place Sunday, June 21 to Friday, July 31, 2026, across multiple venues on the sprawling Stanford University campus. Having grown in both size and reputation since it first began in 1972, the Festival–which draws thousands of fans to the Bay Area–has become a destination for all arts lovers in one of the most bucolic settings in the nation. This year’s Festival celebrates jazz’s rich roots and its global connections, featuring an exceptional line-up spanning generations and styles. From acclaimed world-class headliners such as Billy Childs, George Cables, Branford Marsalis, and Anat Cohen to local Northwest natives such as The Westerlies, Nick Rossi, Nicolas Bearde, and Sasha Berliner, to innovative jazz fusings with Afro-Cuban, Brazilian, and Indian music, the 25+ events include Festival debuts, world premieres, family-friendly concerts, and more. As always, the Festival presents annual fan favorites including SJW alum Taylor Eigsti, Guitar Night, Ruth Davies’ Blues Night, and the All-Star Jam session closing out the Festival in what has become the biggest jazz celebration of the summer. For program details, updated line-ups, and tickets, please visit http://www.stanfordjazz.org.

Quote from Cory Combs,  Executive Director, Stanford Jazz Workshop:
“This year’s Festival brings together some of the most powerful voices in jazz today, led by the visionary Branford Marsalis Quartet on June 26. Branford’s singular quartet has defined modern jazz for decades, and we’re honored to welcome them back to Stanford. From that opening weekend forward, the Festival reflects jazz as a living, global force, honoring its deep American roots while embracing the international sounds shaping its future. From Indian Jazz Journey to bold contemporary voices presented throughout the six-week Festival, audiences will experience the full heartbeat of this music, reflecting its diversity, dynamism, and unifying power.”

2026 Stanford Jazz Festival Performers
Aldo López-Gavilán · Anat Cohen · Anisha Rush · Ben Flocks · Billy Childs · Branford Marsalis · Camila Meza · Christina Galisatus · Dan Wilson · Dr. David Hart · David Wong · George Brooks · George Cables · Gretchen Parlato · Jeb Patton · Jeremy Pelt · Luciana Souza · Mahesh Kale · Marcel Camargo · Marcus Shelby · Michael Mayo · Nick Rossi · Nicolas Bearde · Ruth Davies · Sasha Berliner · Sean “Mack” McDonald · Stefon Harris · Taylor Eigsti · Victor Lin · The Westerlies · Yilian Cañizares · Zack Grooves
Plus surprise special guests and more!

About Stanford Jazz Workshop
Founded in 1972 by saxophonist, arranger, and educator Jim Nadel, Stanford Jazz Workshop is an intensive summer education program staffed with acclaimed musicians who are also many of the Stanford Jazz Festival’s featured performers. The synergy between the Workshop and the Festival manifests at every concert, as all the students enrolled in a session receive complimentary tickets, bringing an infusion of youth to the venues.

About Stanford Jazz Festival
Over the past 54 years, the Stanford Jazz Festival has consistently presented the finest performers on the scene. Audiences have heard legendary performances by Dizzy Gillespie, McCoy Tyner, and Stan Getz, along with virtuosic modern masters like Joshua Redman, Ambrose Akinmusire, and Taylor Eigsti. The Festival is unique and adventurous, presenting over 30 celebrated artists and bands over several weeks. From family-friendly matinees to groundbreaking premieres, the Stanford Jazz Festival proudly keeps the torch of live jazz burning bright. 

2026 STANFORD JAZZ FESTIVAL
When: Sunday, June 21 – Friday, July 31, 2026
Where: Dinkelspiel Auditorium (471 Lagunita Drive) and Campbell Recital Hall (541 Lasuen Mall) on the Stanford University campus, Stanford, CA 94305
Tickets: Tix go on sale to the general public at 10:00 a.m. PST on Friday, April 3, 2026. To reserve, visit http://www.stanfordjazz.org.

SUN 6.21 at 4:00 p.m. | INDIAN JAZZ JOURNEY FEATURING MAHESH KALE AND GEORGE BROOKS
No American-born jazz musician has forged deeper or more extensive ties throughout the expansive world of Indian classical music than Berkeley tenor saxophonist George Brooks. Over the past two decades those relationships have manifested in a kaleidoscopic array of combinations at his Stanford-exclusive Indian Jazz Journey, and in recent years the concert has focused on his ever-evolving communion with Mahesh Kale. Born and raised in Pune, the cultural capital of the western Indian state of Maharashtra, Kale was a disciple of Pandit Jitendra Abhisheki, a hugely influential figure who revived the Marathi musical theater tradition in the 1950s. In 2015, Kale won the best playback singer award at India’s equivalent of the Oscars for a classical piece in the film Katyar Kaljat Ghusli, a breakout role that catapulted him into stardom. As in past concerts, Brooks has assembled a sensational cast of players ideally equipped to join him and Kale in exploring musical landscapes defined by the world’s two most sophisticated improvisational traditions.

FRI 6.26 at 7:30 p.m. | BRANFORD MARSALIS QUARTET
Branford Marsalis, tenor and soprano saxophones | Eric Revis, bass | Joey Calderazzo, piano | Justin Faulkner, drums
There’s no ensemble in jazz quite like the Branford Marsalis Quartet, a celebrated ensemble that has honed telepathic interplay over thousands of high-energy gigs. The eldest sibling in the illustrious New Orleans jazz clan, tenor and soprano saxophonist Branford Marsalis spent his early career seizing a series of extraordinary opportunities. From his first international exposure with the Art Blakey Big Band and Blakey’s Jazz Messengers, he went on to formative stints with Herbie Hancock, Sting, and his brother Wynton Marsalis’s epochal first quintet. Branford launched his own era-defining band 40 years ago with the late pianist Kenny Kirkland, bassist Robert Hurst and drummer Jeff “Tain” Watts, and he’s been one of the music’s most dependably eloquent improvisers ever since. The near-legendary stability of his quartet allows for breathtaking interplay, starting with the band’s most recent arrival, Justin Faulkner, who’s held down the drum chair since he turned 18 in 2009. Pianist Joey Calderazzo joined in 1998, the year after bassist Eric Revis signed on, and the group has earned renown as one of the most muscularly cohesive on the scene. With last year’s reimagining of Belonging, the 1974 ECM album that introduced Keith Jarrett’s European quartet, Marsalis and his comrades have worked the thrilling material deeply into the quartet’s book.

SAT 6.27 at 7:30 p.m. | BILLY CHILDS QUARTET
Long before Los Angeles-based pianist Billy Childs gained recognition as one of the country’s preeminent composers he was dazzling Bay Area audiences as a sideman. After a brief stint with trombone great J.J. Johnson, the Los Angeles native started regular treks north when trumpet legend Freddie Hubbard assembled a prodigious young band in 1978 that also featured bassist Larry Klein (who earned greater renown producing albums by Joni Mitchell, Herbie Hancock, Luciana Souza, and Childs’ own 2014 jazz-chart topping project Map of The Treasure: Reimagining Laura Nyro). After years of playing funk and fusion, Hubbard had returned to straight ahead jazz sounding fierier than ever. For Childs, who was in his early 20s, heading upstate to perform at Keystone Korner, Kuumbwa and Bach Dancing & Dynamite Society with Hubbard’s band was trial by blowtorch on every gig. He’s been making trips north ever since, both as an accompanist for masters such as Bobby Hutcherson and Dianne Reeves and leading his own bands, giving audiences regular updates on his extraordinary evolution as a six-time GRAMMY Award-winning composer, arranger and improviser. Indeed, he’s carved out an anomalous career path with his pen, and makes a living via commissions. Writing for orchestras and chamber ensembles has become Childs’ bread and butter over the past two decades, which means every opportunity to stretch out with his band is an opportunity he seizes with both hands.

SUN 6.28 at 11:00 a.m. EARLY BIRD WITH DAVID HART
This annual jazz jam is a perfect morning for kids of all ages! Dr. David Hart and the Zookeepers get families swinging, singing, and clapping. This interactive family-friendly concert lets kids discover the joy of jazz and the inspiration that comes from playing instruments.

SUN 6.28 at 7:30 p.m. LUCIANA SOUZA’S NEW MOON
One of jazz’s most celebrated vocalists, Luciana Souza introduces New Moon, a lustrous new project with fellow São Paulo native Marcel Camargo on guitar and his arrangements incorporating string quartet. Whether she’s interpreting Brazilian Songbook standards, deploying her voice like a horn with an orchestra or singing her original compositions transforming beloved poems into songs, Souza is a musician of the highest order. Long based in Los Angeles, she’s probably best known for a series of intimate, Grammy and Latin GRAMMY-winning recordings pairing her with a superlative cadre of Brazilian jazz guitarists, including Romero Lubambo, Toninho Horta, and Marco Peirera. Her latest project New Moon finds her taking the duo foundation into lustrous new territory with guitarist/composer Marcel Camargo. He’s toured internationally with Michael Bublé, led, produced and arranged vocalist Gretchen Parlato’s Flor project, and shared the stage or studio with the likes of Sérgio Mendes, Herb Alpert, and Macy Gray. New Moon pairs the duo with a string quartet, fulfilling a longtime dream of Souza’s. Together, she and Camargo, who like Souza hails from an eminent musical family, reimagine Brazilian classics and debut new co-written songs. His delicately calibrated arrangements create lyrical soundscapes rich in texture and emotion for one of jazz’s most alluring singers.

FRI 7.10 at 7:30 p.m. | THE MUSIC OF DUKE ELLINGTON WITH NICK ROSSI’S JAZZOPATERS
An eminent scholar of pre-World War II jazz, ace guitarist Nick Rossi leads the West Coast’s only combo devoted to classic small group recordings by Duke Ellington, Billy Strayhorn and star soloists. Based in San Francisco, Rossi is one of the world’s foremost experts on pre-World War II jazz, both as a practitioner and a scholar. A few years ago, he realized that the Bay Area was clearly in need of a band devoted to the small group music recorded by Ellington, Billy Strayhorn and the orchestra’s featured soloists such as baritone saxophonist Harry Carney, altoist Johnny Hodges, and trumpeter Cootie Williams. Thus, was born the nine-piece Jazzopaters, which has been delighting audiences and dancers at the Bay Area’s finest clubs and venues for the past two years. Stacked with some of the region’s finest improvisers, the group proudly keeps seldom-performed tunes by the nonpareil Ellington in circulation.

SAT 7.11 at 7:30 p.m. NICOLAS BEARDE QUINTET
Inhabiting a sparsely populated zone between masculine R&B fervor and cool jazz styling, the effortlessly soulful Nicolas Bearde is a Bay Area treasure who knows that vulnerability and passion go hand in hand. He earned an avid following as an R&B solo act, but he’s evolved over the past decade into a captivating jazz singer who brings easy-going authority to ballads and swaggering mid-tempo standards. He made his Stanford debut in 2024 focusing on a program from his album I Remember You: The Music of Nat King Cole, and will be casting a wider net for this performance. Bearde first gained widespread notice in the late 1980s as a founding member of Bobby McFerrin’s innovative, improvisation-steeped a cappella ensemble Voicestra. He spent much of the 1980s and ‘90s pursuing a dual-track career as a musician and an actor, working on stage and television. Thankfully, music has been his primary pursuit in recent years. Whether he’s navigating Billy Strayhorn’s rueful “Lush Life,” Eden Ahbez’s beatific cantorial chant “Nature Boy,” or Alan Jay Lerner and Burton Lane’s impetuously grooving “Come Back to Me,” Bearde finds the emotional core of every lyric.

SUN 7.12 at 7:30 p.m. | MARCUS SHELBY SEXTET: THE LANGUAGE OF CHARLES MINGUS
Marcus Shelby walks in the footsteps of iconic bassist/composer Charles Mingus, creating epic works that tell overlooked stories from Black history with blues and swing. Shelby has never shied away from extending his creative reach. From his early years as a young lion recording for some of jazz’s most vaunted labels, the San Francisco bassist, composer, bandleader and educator has earned renown for his leadership on a wide array of fronts. He’s best known for his ambitious, historically informed works like 2006’s Port Chicago (Noir Records), a suite for his jazz orchestra inspired by the World War II miscarriage of justice, and 2018’s Black Ball: The Negro Leagues and the Blues, a suite commissioned by the Yerba Buena Gardens Festival. He served as a musical foil for playwright and actor Anna Deavere Smith throughout the interview-driven creation of her one-woman show about the school-to-prison pipeline, Notes From the Field. And since taking over as artistic director of the Healdsburg Jazz Festival in the Fall of 2020, he has greatly expanded the already internationally recognized organization. While his temperament is a mirror image of the tempestuous Mingus’s, Shelby is steeped in his music and is ideally placed to offer insight into his composing, bandleading, and gift for coaxing superlative performances from his collaborators.

MON 7.13 at 7:30 p.m. | CHRISTINA GALISATUS QUINTET PLAYS JONI MITCHELL
Now living in Los Angeles, Christina Galisatus has gained recognition in recent years as one of the brightest young artists on the vibrant Southland scene. A quadruple creative force as a pianist/multi-instrumentalist, composer, vocalist, and songwriter, she’s released several critically hailed albums, including 2023’s Without Night and 2025’s Hold Still, which introduced her lustrous vocals. Raised on the Peninsula, she graduated from Stanford with honors and practically grew up at the Workshop, and has surprised exactly none of her Bay Area fans by thriving in LA. She returns to campus with her new Joni Mitchell project, which delves into the extraordinary songbook of one of her primary influences. Though she approaches Mitchell’s music with reverence, Galisatus infuses the songs with her particularly harmonic and melodic sensibility, turning them into highly personal vehicles for emotional expression. She’s joined by a cadre of longtime collaborators including reed expert Michael Blasky.

TUE 7.14 at 7:30 p.m. | JIMMY HEATH CENTENNIAL CELEBRATION WITH JEB PATTON AND DAVID WONG
Inveterately swinging pianist Jeb Patton and veteran bassist David Wong celebrate the legacy of their mentor and former employer Jimmy Heath (1926-2020), the brilliant saxophonist, composer and arranger. Jimmy Heath would likely give a wry smile over the fact that his 100th birthday is destined to be overshadowed by the centennial milestone celebrations for Miles Davis and John Coltrane. Hailing from one of jazz’s most distinguished families, Heath was both universally esteemed by his peers but underappreciated, particularly when it came to his prowess on the tenor saxophone (he was also formidable on flute and soprano sax). His success as an arranger and composer–Heath wrote at least a half dozen standards, including “Gingerbread Boy,” “Gemini,” “C.T.A.” and “For Minors Only”–meant that he never quite got his due as an improviser. Pianist Jeb Patton and veteran bassist David Wong experienced the creative intensity of Heath’s horn first -and as members of the Heath Brothers band (with drummer Tootie Heath). They’ve led distinguished careers accompanying other masters who got their start in the 1940s, including drum legend Roy Haynes, saxophone great George Coleman and alto sax powerhouse Charles McPherson. They co-lead this celebration of Jimmy Heath’s music, tunes that defined the hard-bop era.

WED 7.15 at 7:30 p.m. | VICTOR LIN: GERSHWIN REIMAGINED
Pianist/violinist Victor Lin brings fresh perspective to the music of George Gershwin in an evening of lively, imaginative interpretations. Lin always brings a thoughtful and imaginative game plan to the Festival. A mainstay at the Stanford Jazz Workshop since the late 1990s, he has emerged in recent years as a savvy producer with a gift for conceptual concerts that highlight both repertoire and relationships among Workshop faculty. This year, Lin turns his attention to the music of George Gershwin, re-examining one of America’s most enduring composers through a contemporary jazz lens.
With this new program, Lin brings the same spirit of curiosity and collaboration to Gershwin’s songs and orchestral works, revealing their rhythmic vitality, harmonic sophistication, and deep jazz roots. His gift lies not only in the material he chooses, but in the musicians he gathers–a rotating cast of friends and colleagues who bring fresh perspective, shared history, and joyful spontaneity to the music.

THU 7.16 at 7:30 p.m. | MICHAEL MAYO QUARTET
Every generation seems to produce an exceptionally talented male jazz vocalist or two, and the ‘20s will be remembered for the emergence of Michael Mayo, a lithe, soul-steeped improviser devoted to direct emotional expression. Growing up in Los Angeles, Mayo seemed destined to a life in music. His father is a vocalist and saxophonist who performed with Earth, Wind & Fire and Sérgio Mendes, while his mother’s distinguished career as a background vocalist includes work with Beyoncé, Diana Ross, Luther Vandross, and Whitney Houston. A credit to nature and nurture, he’s emerged over the past decade as a supremely talented vocalist, composer, songwriter, and arranger. A graduate of New England Conservatory and the Thelonious Monk Institute (now the Hancock Institute of Jazz), Mayo has honed an enthralling sound steeped in jazz, neo-soul, and R&B. He’s toured with Herbie Hancock, recorded with drummer Nate Smith, and collaborated widely with Taylor Eigsti, singing on the title track of the pianist’s GRAMMY-winning 2021 album Tree Falls. Since then, Mayo has released two acclaimed albums of his own, firmly establishing himself as one of the most exciting young vocalists in jazz.

SAT 7.18 at 7:30 p.m. | ANAT COHEN
Fresh off a series of major events marking her 50th birthday, from Jazz at Lincoln Center to SFJAZZ, tenor saxophonist and clarinetist Anat Cohen returns to Stanford, where her jazz festival performances are an annual highlight. Since arriving in New York City in 1999 she has played trad jazz in ensembles devoted to the early music of Louis Armstrong and post-bop with her generation’s cutting-edge improvisers and composers. She soared in orchestral settings, celebrated Benny Goodman with Benny Green at the Village Vanguard, and danced tightrope in duet with Fred Hersch at Healdsburg (all captured on albums). She’s embraced her brothers (trumpeter Avishai and soprano saxophonist Yuval) in 3 Cohens and navigated Oded Lev-Ari’s intricate compositions for the Anat Cohen Tentet. Her love of Brazilian music has often been the focus of her annual Festival appearances, where she’s collaborated with some of the world’s greatest Brazilian musicians. Whether she’s exploring the music of overlooked genius Moacir Santos or MPB superstar Milton Nascimento, playing choro, bossa nova or Brazilian jazz with her Quartetinho, Cohen is a nonpareil clarinetist and suavely swinging tenor saxophonist at the peak of her craft.

SUN 7.19 at 7:30 p.m. | THE WESTERLIES
A singular chamber jazz ensemble, The Westerlies have honed a gorgeous, intricately calibrated approach that brings uncommon intimacy to the unique two trumpet, two trombone lineup. Featuring trumpeters Riley Mulherkar and Chloe Rowlands and trombonists Andy Clausen and Addison Maye-Saxon, The Westerlies sound like no other group in jazz. Introducing a new instrumental concept after more than a century of jazz-powered innovation is no small task, but The Westerlies combine the dynamic precision of a string quartet, the sonic punch of a rock band, and the derring-do of a circus act. Across 10 acclaimed studio albums the ensemble has arranged and performed music by a dazzling array of composers and collaborators, including Caroline Shaw, Nico Muhly, Conrad Tao, Wayne Horvitz, Robin Holcomb, and Theo Bleckmann. Last year the group released two major projects, Paradise, a breathtaking reimagination of the Shape Note choral tradition, and Songbook, Vol. 3, a live EP and concert film celebrating friends and recent collaborators, including Samora Pinderhughes, Anaïs Mitchell, Aoife O’Donovan, and Joanna Newsom. This year The Westerlies are presenting a major retrospective of new music by key mentor Bill Frisell and an adaptation of Maria Schneider’s GRAMMY-winning song cycle Winter Morning Walks featuring South African vocalist Vuyo Sotashe.

MON 7.20 at 7:30 p.m. | ANISHA RUSH QUARTET & BEN FLOCKS MOONSHADES
A potent double bill pairs two stellar saxophonists, with bands led by rising star Anisha Rush and mid-career master Ben Flocks, who’s celebrating the release of a powerhouse trio album Moonshades. An integral part of the Workshop family since he was a teenager, Flocks has earned widespread esteem while performing and recording with a glittering constellation of jazz stars, from Dave Brubeck, Patrice Rushen and Joshua Redman to Antonio Sanchez, Javier Santiago and Caili O’Doherty. He’s focused on writing and performing with a stripped-down trio, honing an approach that’s intensely lyrical and palpably physical. Sharing the evening is Colorado Springs-reared, New York City-based saxophonist, composer and educator Anisha Rush, an intrepid improviser who draws from the kindred currents of jazz, soul, R&B, and gospel. A rising bandleader in her own right, she’s made a powerful impression as a sidewoman with veteran masters such as Makaya McCraven, Ron Miles, Matt Wilson, and Art Lande.

TUE 7.21 at 7:30 p.m. | MILES CENTENNIAL CELEBRATION FEATURING JEREMY PELT
A prodigious trumpeter, producer and composer who’s been at the center of the New York jazz scene for a quarter century, Jeremy Pelt has released some two dozen albums as a leader exploring a wide array of instrumental settings. The Los Angeles native has traversed similarly expansive terrain as a sideman on some five-dozen albums with both veteran masters (such as Gerald Wilson, Cedar Walton, Louis Hayes, and Wayne Shorter) and contemporaries (including Camille Thurman, Somi, and Jaleel Shaw). Embracing his role as an established veteran, he’s taken to mentoring younger players while sharing wisdom from well-traveled cats in a series of books featuring his interviews with jazz masters, Griots: Examining the Lives of Jazz’s Great Storytellers. Many of the veterans he’s conversed with are Miles Davis alumni and Pelt is ideally prepared to celebrate Miles’ centennial, as both a player and raconteur.

WED 7.22 at 7:30 p.m. | RUTH DAVIES’ BLUES NIGHT
Returning for its 23rd edition, Ruth Davies’ Blues Night is a bona fide Stanford Jazz tradition that ensures that the music’s essential roots are explicitly recognized and honored. When John Lee Hooker needed to put some boom in his “Boom Boom,” he gave Ruth Davies a call. When R&B great Charles Brown sought a supple pulse for his cool West Coast blues, Davies supplied the beat. And when Elvin Bishop required extra propulsion for a new band, Davies provided the fuel. Over the past four decades she’s been the bassist of choice for dozens of masters in blues, jazz, R&B and beyond, from Taj Mahal and Barbara Dane to Clark Terry and Maria Muldaur. At Stanford, she’s taken it upon herself to ensure that the blues is always on the program, bringing in a special guest each season. This year’s featured artist is 23-year-old Sean “Mack” McDonald, an Augusta, Georgia-raised guitarist who is part of a wave of brilliant young Black musicians revitalizing the art form. Steeped in Chicago and West Coast post-war blues, he’s absorbed the sounds of Bobby “Blue” Bland, Louis Jordan, T-Bone Walker, and early BB King.

THU 7.23 at 7:30 p.m. | STEFON HARRIS & BLACKOUT
The contemporary jazz scene is amid an unprecedented wave of vibraphone innovation, and no artist deserves more credit for this development than Stefon Harris. Since emerging in the late-1990s with a series of highly acclaimed albums for Blue Note Records, the New York native has mentored many of the brightest young players to come up in his wake (like Sasha Berliner). But for the past two decades, he’s been a scarce presence in venues and recording studios. His latest album, 2018’s Sonic Creed (Motéma), features his band Blackout, and is a brilliant and lushly produced program of Harris originals and hard-bop standards by Horace Silver, Wayne Shorter, Bobby Timmons and Bobby Hutcherson. And like much of his work since he made a highly productive trip to Cuba in 2008 the album digs into the kindred roots of jazz and rumba (via percussion great Pedrito Martinez). An ambitious composer, startlingly eloquent improviser and savvy bandleader, he’s always looking to expand and deepen the Blackout musical family. He brings the band’s latest iteration west for a rare Stanford sojourn.

SAT 7.25 at 7:30 p.m. | YILIAN CAÑIZARES
After her jaw-dropping appearance last summer as a special guest with percussion maestro John Santos, it was obvious that Cuban violinist/vocalist Yilian Cañizares needed to return and present her own band. Cañizares is on the cusp of becoming a major figure on the North American jazz scene. Introduced to Bay Area audiences just before the advent of the pandemic via her collaboration with piano great Omar Sosa, with whom she recorded the gorgeous, spiritually charged 2018 album Aguas, the Swiss-based Cañizares has been looking for opportunities to return ever since. Born in Havana, she was 14 when she moved to Venezuela in 1997 to study at El Sistema founder José Antonio Abreu’s Academia Latinoamericana de Violin in Caracas. Three years later she relocated to Switzerland to complete her studies at the Fribourg/Freiburg conservatory and ended up settling in Lausanne. Increasingly interested in fusing her Cuban roots with jazz, she launched her first band, Ochumare, which means rainbow in Yoruba. The trio became a proving ground for her rapidly evolving music, which has been fueled by collaborations with Cuban piano stars such as Chucho Valdés, Omar Sosa, and Roberto Fonseca. But she’s reached far beyond her homeland in her quest for musical adventures, performing with Lebanese trumpeter Ibrahim Maalouf, Romani flamenco legend Diego El Cigala, South Korean vocalist Youn Sun Nah, Tunisian oud master and vocalist Dhafer Youssef, and Cameroonian bass maestro Richard Bona.

SUN 7.26 at 8:00 p.m. | SASHA BERLINER
San Francisco-reared vibraphonist Sasha Berliner, who last performed at the Festival two years ago co-leading a tribute to vibes legend Bobby Hutcherson and drummer Eddie Marshall, returns for his Festival debut as a headliner with her state-of-the-art band. On a jazz scene bristling with brilliant young vibraphonists, she has distinguished herself with a lithe electro-acoustic group sound that’s rooted in post-bop improvisation and deeply informed by contemporary musical currents. Now based in Los Angeles, the San Francisco native spent formative years at the Workshop. The first of the three times she attended in high school she was still focusing on drums, but on her return trips she had switched to vibes and recalls soaking up invaluable experience in a combo led by Victor Lin. Sessions with Ambrose Akinmusire and Billy Hart set her up well for New York City and studies at the New School. She’s been soaring ever since as a bandleader, sidewoman and composer. Last year she released her third studio album, Fantôme (Outside In Music), a supple, lyrically charged project laced with electronic textures and production. Last fall the storied German jazz outfit the Frankfurt Radio Big Band performed a concert of arrangements of her compositions, and Berklee concluded a seminar focusing on her compositions with a program by the Sasha Berliner Berklee Ensemble. With jazz stars like Christian McBride, Cécile McLorin Salvant and Tyshawn Sorey calling her for gigs, she is flourishing as a full-spectrum creative force.

MON 7.27 at 8:00 p.m. | GUITAR NIGHT FEATURING CAMILA MEZA & DAN WILSON
A long-running, ever-changing showcase for jazz’s finest guitar practitioners, Guitar Night brings together two extraordinary bandleaders with very different sounds this season. Chilean-born Camila Meza first gained widespread attention on the New York scene in the late aughts working widely in bands led by Cuban pianist Fabian Almazan and trombonist Ryan Keberle (who started incorporating her vocals into arrangements for his Pan-American band Catharsis). She’s carved out her own identity as a composer, most vividly with her eight-piece Nectar Orchestra. Dan Wilson also came to renown as a sideman, via widespread touring with Hammond B3 great Joey DeFrancesco, and later bass star Christian McBride. Deeply inspired by guitar maestros Wes Montgomery, Charlie Christian, Joe Pass, and George Benson, he came up playing in church and every note is marked by his sanctified origins. With the release of his fourth album as a leader last year,Things Eternal, Wilson cemented his status as one of jazz’s most accomplished and expressive guitarists.

TUE 7.28 at 8:00 p.m. | GEORGE CABLES SEXTET FEATURING STANFORD JAZZ WORKSHOP FACULTY
At 81, pianist George Cables is jazz royalty. As an accompanist, composer and bandleader he’s been at the center of jazz’s progressive mainstream since the late 1960s, with a resume that rivals any living peer and a book of beloved compositions in regular circulation. A treasured presence at the Workshop for years, George Cables made a name for himself on a series of classic recordings by era-defining musicians, including Freddie Hubbard, Bobby Hutcherson, Joe Henderson and Woody Shaw. As a bandleader and composer, he’s made his mark with some two dozen albums, most recently his 2024 trio session I Hear Echoes with bassist Essiet Essiet and drummer Jerome Jennings. Since his recording debut on the 1968 album Electrifying Sounds of the Paul Jeffrey (a quintet session with drummer Billy Hart, his bandmate in the all-star combo The Cookers), Cables has distinguished himself with his bright, voluptuous sound and vivifying combination of elegance and grit. Altoist Art Pepper famously dubbed him “Mr. Beautiful” for his sublime melodic sensibility, but he could just as easily have been talking about Cables as a man. A composer of arrestingly alluring tunes, he’s made a deep mark wherever he’s spent time, nowhere more so than in Northern California, where his regular presence at Keystone Korner was an essential part of the storied North Beach venue’s creative mojo.

WED 7.29 at 8:00 p.m. | ALDO LÓPEZ-GAVILÁN
Even in a country with a glorious tradition of extravagantly talented pianists, Havana-reared Aldo López-Gavilán is a conspicuously commanding musician. Steeped in jazz, Afro-Cuban and European classical music, he’s a celebrated composer who hails from an illustrious musical clan. His father, Guido López-Gavilán, is an esteemed conductor and composer, and his late mother, Teresita Junco, was an acclaimed concert pianist. His older brother, violinist Ilmar Gavilán, is a founding member of the Harlem Quartet (their long thwarted but eventually successful efforts to perform together became the subject of the 2020 documentary Los Hermanos/The Brothers by award-winning Bay Area filmmakers Ken Schneider and Marcia Jarmel). After making his professional debut at age 12 with the Matanzas Symphony Orchestra, López-Gavilán went on to perform Prokofiev’s Third Piano Concerto with the National Symphonic Orchestra of Cuba. At the same time, he was delving into the classical canon, López-Gavilán was honing his skills as an improviser. Invited to perform at the Havana Jazz Festival with Chucho Valdés, he made such a powerful impression that the legendary pianist called him “simply a genius, a star.” He’s been living up to the praise ever since.

THU 7.30. at 8:00 p.m. | TAYLOR EIGSTI GROUP FEATURING GRETCHEN PARLATO & ZACK GROOVES
Since the turn of the century no artist has been more deeply identified with Stanford Jazz than pianist Taylor Eigsti, a prodigy who went on to carve out a brilliant career as an accompanist, composer and two-time GRAMMY Award-winning recording artist.
Eigsti’s annual performance at Stanford typically falls in the Festival’s last week, providing a bold exclamation point to the previous weeks of musical adventures. Though he’s never hidden his incandescent talent under a bushel, Eigsti did wait a decade between albums, a drought that came to an end with 2020’s Tree Falls, which earned a GRAMMY Award. His 2023 follow-up, Plot Armor, scored another GRAMMY, and he’s joined at this concert by the brilliant vocalist Gretchen Parlato, who sang on both projects. Eigsti has also toured widely with Parlato and recorded on several of her albums. They’re thrilled to regroup with a more recent connection, YouTube sensation Zack Grooves (aka Zack Graybeal). A stellar drummer who was known mostly as a busy sideman around North Carolina, he’s turned his YouTube channel into a bustling educational resource for fellow trap set acolytes with close to a half-million subscribers. Zach Grooves has been touring with Eigsti over the past couple of years, including a 2024 European jaunt featuring Parlato and tenor saxophonist Ben Wendel and a fall 2025 European tour with vocalist Becca Stevens.

FRI 7.31 at 8:00 p.m. | ALL-STAR JAM
At this lovingly curated annual jam session, audiences will hear pairings and combinations of jazz artists rarely heard anywhere else. In duet, trio, quartet, and larger ensembles, these amazing top-tier players will let their unbridled creativity soar. Artists TBA.

Haiku Salut + Osgled + Matt Sewell at Sy : Gigs, The Darwin Room, Shrewsbury Library, Shrewsbury.

Date: Sunday, September 13, 2026

More details

From Chris Taylor of Sy : Gigs

Event 4.0 - September 13th - Haiku Salut + Osgled + Matt Sewell
A new delicious afternoon matinee for your diaries.

Sunday 13th September 2026
The Darwin Room, Shrewsbury Library in Shrewsbury
2:30pm til 6:00pm (Performance starts 3:00pm)

September 13 — Early Bird tickets are now on sale. There are only a small number owing to capacity of venue.
https://www.skiddle.com/whats-on/Shrewsbury/The-Darwin-Room%2C-Shrewsbury-Library/Haiku-Salut—Osgled—Matt-Sewell/42155982/

I am really thrilled to welcome back @haikusalut to Shrewsbury.

The last time Haiku Salut joined us was in November 2018 at St Alkmund’s Church, an evening show beautifully supported by my friend Joel (@tinyleavesmusic).

This time, they return in a different light at our new venue, The Darwin Room, Shrewsbury Library, presenting a special afternoon matinee, with support from Osgled and Matt Sewell.

For those discovering them afresh, Haiku Salut are the Derbyshire-born trio of Gemma Barkerwood, Sophie Barkerwood and Louise Croft. Self-described as “instrumental dream-pop-post-folk-neo-everything,” their music is intricate, cinematic and entirely wordless, glockenspiel, accordion, piano, electronics and found sounds woven into something both playful and profound.
Drawing inspiration from composers such as Yann Tiersen and Benoît Charest, alongside the delicate experimentalism of Múm, they create immersive soundscapes that feel like miniature films unfolding in real time.
https://haikusalut.bandcamp.com/music

Osgled (Welsh for amplitude ) draws on a rich blend of experimental sounds, combines ethereal, atmospheric layers with poignant, melancholy synths, all woven together with dreamy and evocative vocals. The result is a soundscape that feels both otherworldly and deeply emotional, transporting listeners into a space of reflection and feeling.
https://osgled.bandcamp.com/music

The Matinee will be bookended again by dear friend and Shrewsbury polymath @mattsewell.
https://ctrmusic.bandcamp.com/album/a-crushing-glow-compiled-by-matt-sewell

Love Supreme Jazz Festival 2026 at Glynde Place, East Sussex.

Dates: Friday, July 03, 2026 - Sunday, July 05, 2026

Featuring: Various Artists

More details

For details please visit Festival website;
https://lovesupremefestival.com/

42nd Birmingham Jazz & Blues Festival, various venues, Birmingham and West Midlands.

Dates: Friday, July 24, 2026 - Sunday, August 02, 2026

More details

For details please visit Festival website;
http://www.birminghamjazzfestival.com/

Stacey Kent at Cadogan Hall, London.

Dates: Thursday, July 16, 2026 - Friday, July 17, 2026

Featuring: Stacey Kent

More details

SERIOUS have provided the following information;

Thu 16 & Fri 17 July, Cadogan Hall

Stacey Kent

Due to high demand and limited tickets for 16 July, a second date has been added on Friday 17 July for Stacey Kent at Cadogan Hall. Don’t miss the Grammy-nominated star part of this year’s Summer Jazz Series.

Tickets;
https://serious.org.uk/events/stacey-kent

Cadogan Hall,
5 Sloane Terrace
SW1X 9DQ.

Katie Melua + Jed Holland at Union Chapel, Islington, London.

Date: Tuesday, July 07, 2026

More details

SERIOUS have provided the following information regarding this event;

Tuesday 7 July, Union Chapel

Katie Melua + Jed Holland

This July, one of the UK’s best-selling female artists, Katie Melua, brings an intimate show to Union Chapel. With over 11 million albums sold and 56 platinum awards, she continues to captivate audiences worldwide.

Tickets;
https://serious.org.uk/events/katie-melua

Union Chapel,
Compton Terrace,
London,
N1 2UN

Tommy Scott Trio at Cheltenham Jazz Club, The Irving Studio, The Everyman Theatre, Cheltenham, Glos.

Date: Monday, October 19, 2026

More details

From;
https://www.everymantheatre.org.uk/shows/jazz-in-the-studio/

Tommy Scott Trio
Mon 19th Oct
Tommy’s music takes listeners on a compelling journey, from sensitive and lyrical moods, to passionate and driving virtuosity. Although Tommy is influenced by the mainstream jazz tradition of Bill Evans, Herbie Hancock and McCoy Tyner, his music also has elements of latin grooves and classical composition. For this performance, Tommy makes a rare return to his hometown of Cheltenham, featuring a trio with the amazingly talented Max Luthert on Bass, and Euan Palmer on Drums.

Box Office:
01242 572 573

The Everyman Theatre
Regent Street, Cheltenham, GL50 1HQ.

King Pleasure & The Biscuit Boys - 40th Anniversary Special at The Regal, Tenbury Wells, Worcs.

Date: Saturday, July 11, 2026

More details

We have received the following information regarding this event;

King Pleasure & The Biscuit Boys - 40th Anniversary Special

Saturday 11th July 2026 | 7:30pm

King Pleasure and the Biscuit Boys will celebrate an incredible 40 years on the road in 2026. Formed in 1986 in Darlaston, the band still features original members King Pleasure and Bullmoose ‘K’ Shirley and has performed more than 7,000 shows across 21 countries, sharing stages with legends including B.B. King and Ray Charles.

With 14 albums, dozens of radio and TV appearances, and a reputation as one of the world’s greatest jump, jive and swing bands, they’ll mark the milestone with special reunion gigs, international tour dates, festival headliners, and a commemorative album reissue throughout 2026.

Don’t miss out. Grab your tickets now and be part of the celebration!
https://www.regaltenbury.co.uk/events/king-pleasure-amp-the-biscuit-boys-40th-anniversary-special

The Regal, Tenbury Wells
47-49 Teme Street,
Tenbury Wells,
Worcestershire,
WR15 8AE.

China Moses at The Jazz Cafe, Camden, London.

Date: Saturday, September 12, 2026

More details

We have received the following information regarding this event;

Saturday 12 September, Jazz Cafe
China Moses

China Moses blends jazz, soul, blues, and groove with soaring vocals. Born in Los Angeles and raised in Paris by Dee Dee Bridgewater and Gilbert Moses, she’s built a global career spanning seven acclaimed albums and stages from Ronnie Scott’s to the Royal Albert Hall. Her high-energy shows mix playful storytelling with raw emotion, taking audiences somewhere entirely unexpected.

Tickets;
https://serious.org.uk/events/china-moses

Sat 12 September 2026
Stage time / 7:30pm
Doors / 7:00pm

Jazz Cafe,
5 Parkway
London
NW1 7PG

Tickets
£30 - £50 + booking fee

Deborah Rose at Breda Viva La Vie, Roeselare, Belgium.

Date: Sunday, September 20, 2026

Featuring: Deborah Rose

More details

Wed 20 September – Belgium | Breda Viva La Vie, Roeselare

Bruanestraat 1, Roeselare, Belgium, 8800

https://www.facebook.com/bredavivalavie

https://www.facebook.com/events/1387920556420939

2026 Swansea International Jazz Festival, various venues, Swansea.

Dates: Thursday, September 03, 2026 - Sunday, September 06, 2026

Featuring: Various Artists

More details

SWANSEA INTERNATIONAL JAZZ FESTIVAL 2026
Dates for diary…
THURSDAY SEP 3rd - SUNDAY SEP 6th!

https://www.swanseajazzland.co.uk/

Pat Metheny Side Eye III at The Barbican Centre, London.

Dates: Saturday, July 18, 2026 - Sunday, July 19, 2026

Featuring: Pat Metheny

Venue

Barbican Centre

Silk Street,
London.
EC2Y 8DS

More details

We have received the following press release;

Pat Metheny takes over the Barbican on 18 & 19 July with three special concerts
Tickets on-sale Friday, 9 January
Buy Tickets Here
https://serious.org.uk/summer-jazz-series-2026

Part of the Summer Jazz Series 2026, a celebration of world-class music across London this summer from the producers of the EFG London Jazz Festival, Serious

Twenty-time Grammy Award–winner Pat Metheny, one of the most influential and celebrated musicians of his generation, returns to the Barbican for a special weekend takeover in July with three shows across two days on 18 and 19 July 2026. In a career spanning more than five decades, Metheny has continually redefined the possibilities of jazz, blending lyricism, innovation and genre-crossing ambition to create a body of work that has inspired generations of artists and audiences alike. A tireless and prolific performer, he has sold out major London venues in recent years, including the Barbican and Hammersmith Apollo, affirming his enduring connection with UK audiences and his reputation as one of the most compelling live performers in contemporary music.

This Barbican residency places Metheny centre stage, offering audiences a rare opportunity to experience his music in depth across a concentrated series of performances. Renowned for his restless creativity and openness to collaboration, Metheny continues to balance landmark solo projects with bold ensemble work, championing both emerging talent and long-established voices while pushing his own artistry forward.

As part of this weekend, Metheny presents the latest evolution of his ongoing SIDE EYE project. SIDE EYE III sees him joined by Chris Fishman (piano and keyboards), Jermaine Paul (bass) and Joe Dyson (drums), a dynamic lineup that reflects Metheny’s long-standing commitment to mentoring the next generation of jazz innovators. Featuring new music alongside reimagined classics, the project embodies Metheny’s fearless approach to exploration, tradition and collaboration.

A bandleader since the 1970s and an artist who has often performed more than 100 concerts a year, Pat Metheny remains a vital creative force, continually evolving, questioning and redefining what modern jazz can be.

Joe Masterson Trio at The Edge Arts Centre, Much Wenlock, Shropshire.

Date: Friday, September 18, 2026

More details

From;
https://edgeartscentre.com/?page_id=14

Friday 18 September 2026

The Joe Masterson Trio

Described by many as a rising star of the UK Jazz scene, Joe Masterson, a 2020 graduate from Leeds Conservatoire is a Birmingham based pianist making his mark on the Birmingham and Midlands Jazz scene. After playing to sell-out crowds across the midlands, and performing at the likes of Cheltenham and Birmingham Jazz Festival, Joe is also known for Jazz at Fletchers – a monthly jazz club in Kings Heath, Birmingham running for over the past 3 years. Here, along with his trio of Miles Levin and Simon Smith, he has collaborated with the likes of Simon Spillet, Chris Bowden, Suzi Woods, Steve Ajao, Alex Clarke, Ade Wakelin and many more.

Influenced by the likes of Monty Alexander, Oscar Peterson and Eddie Higgins, the trio play a variety of music, always looking to groove.

Simon Smith is one of the UK’s most in demand bassists. He has worked extensively as a freelance musician throughout the UK, Europe and the US, including a five year stint based in Los Angeles. Simon’s recording credits include Stevie Nicks, Sarah McLachlan, Wilson Phillips, Glen Ballard and Dave Stewart. He has worked in the live touring bands of artists as diverse as Idina Menzel, Linda Perry, Carl Barât and Carina Round performing at venues and events including Lincoln Center (New York), Ambassadors Theatre, Glastonbury Festival, South by Southwest and La Bâtie Festival (Geneva) amongst many others.

Miles Levin is simply one of the finest jazz drummers in the whole of the UK, respected and admired nationally. He has performed all over the UK and internationally with many of the UK’s leading artists.

Doors 18.30 Show 19.30
Tickets: £15
https://www.ticketsource.co.uk/edgeartscentre/the-joe-masterson-trio/2026-09-18/19:30/t-oejvanp

Buxton International Jazz Festival, various venues, Buxton, Derbyshire.

Dates: Thursday, July 09, 2026 - Sunday, July 26, 2026

Featuring: Various Artists

More details

Multi-disciplinary arts festival that includes the twelve gigs of the Jazz Weekender event from 9th to12th July.

For full programme please visit ;
http://www.buxtonfestival.co.uk

Jazz Weekender programme: View here.
https://buxtonfestival.co.uk/whats-on/jazz-weekender

Mostly Jazz Funk & Soul Festival 2026, Moseley Park, Birmingham,

Dates: Friday, July 10, 2026 - Sunday, July 12, 2026

Featuring: Various Artists

More details

Mostly Jazz Funk & Soul Festival
10th – 12th July 2026. Moseley Park, Birmingham.
https://mostlyjazz.co.uk/