EFG London Jazz Festival announce The Jazz Social line-up for 2025.

Thursday, October 16, 2025

The meeting point for festival goers - The Jazz Social - returns; with events across two weeks including live performances, radio broadcasts, family activity and more. Press release attached.

We have received the following press release;

The Jazz Social returns
EFG LONDON JAZZ FESTIVAL 2025

The meeting point for festival goers - The Jazz Social - returns; with events across two weeks including live performances, radio broadcasts, family activity and more.

With less than a month to go before the EFG London Jazz Festival begins, the Festival is delighted to share the lineup for its popular festival hangout The Jazz Social which returns for its second year. The pop-up venue and bar is returning to its Citypoint home a short stroll from the Barbican and will be a meeting point, place to come together with festival community, and somewhere to catch special events from Monday 10 to Sunday 23 November.

The Jazz Social is turning up the volume this November with a dazzling lineup of world-class performances and events. Kicking off the live performances is spoken word powerhouse Sophia Thakur on Tuesday, 11 November, whose poetic storytelling and soulful rhythms promise to stir both hearts and minds. The following night, Ayanna Witter-Johnson - the trailblazing singer, cellist, and composer known for her seamless blend of classical virtuosity and contemporary soul - takes the stage on Wednesday, 12 November. Then, on Saturday, 15 November, rising star Elysia Biro brings her spellbinding voice and fresh, genre-bending sound to the spotlight. From Tues 11 - Fri 14 Nov, The Jazz Social will host free, lunchtime concerts with students from the Guildhall School.

A true highlight arrives on Thursday, 20 November, when internationally acclaimed Japanese pianist Hiromi performs an exclusive solo piano set - ahead of her sold-out Barbican show -  showcasing her electrifying technique, dazzling improvisation, and genre-defying fusion of jazz, classical, and rock influences, followed by an intimate Q&A session that offers fans a glimpse into her creative process.

On Friday, 21 November there is a special album listening party for London-based keyboardist, and Take Five alumni, DoomCannon who is performing stripped back with friends alongside an album listen back and DJ sets. To round out the Festival’s celebrations on the closing weekend, Tony Higgins will warm us into the weekend with an all-vinyl Japanese Jazz set followed by Midori Jaeger, the London-based cellist and vocalist praised for her heartfelt songwriting, performs an afternoon set at 3pm on Saturday, 22 November, before The Jazz Social transforms into a classic Japanese jazz kissa bar as Tokyo Jazz Joints present “JUJU”—an atmospheric tribute to Japan’s legendary underground jazz scene. This is all to set the mood ahead of the Japanese Jazz showcase at the Barbican the following day. On Sunday, 23 November, rising British neo-jazz singer Ni Maxine is performing a special show as part of a trio with bassist Daniel Casimir and pianist Luke Bacchus.

Across the two weeks that The Jazz Social is open, two of the most important jazz-focussed radio stations in the UK, Jazz FM and One Jazz, are doing live broadcasts, interviews, sessions and more with artists performing across the festival - such as Dee Dee Bridgewater, Aaron Parks and Joe Webb. Jazz FM are handling the first weekend of the festival with live broadcasts from Friday, 14 November to Sunday, 16 November whilst One Jazz will pick up the baton from Tuesday, 18 November until Friday, 21 November.

The Jazz Social is hosting a unique series of high-quality live gigs for little ones and their grown-ups on both weekends of the festival. Weekend one has folk and jazz singalongs with Tots Tunes with Tara Franks on Friday, 14 November, and intimate storytelling and standards with award-winning vocalist Nishla Smith and Matthew Bourne on Saturday, 15 November. Weekend two welcomes the family to an electronic micro-rave with Graham Smyth on Sunday, 23 November.

The Jazz Social continues its celebration of world-class talent with two unmissable showcase nights spotlighting the new generation of jazz innovators. On Tuesday, 18 November, Yamaha presents Joe Webb from 8pm—a pianist celebrated for his dazzling swing sensibility, infectious energy, and deep-rooted love for the golden age of jazz. Also performing are The Stone Jets and other artists yet to be announced.

The following night, Wednesday, 19 November, the legendary Blue Note Records takes over The Jazz Social, presenting a transatlantic pairing of rising stars: Gabrielle Cavassa and Paul Cornish. Cavassa, the New Orleans–born vocalist and winner of the 2021 Sarah Vaughan International Jazz Vocal Competition, captivates audiences with her smoky tone and effortless storytelling. Sharing the bill, pianist Paul Cornish—a Blue Note artist known for his soulful touch and modern harmonic flair—adds depth and dynamism to the evening. Together, they embody the spirit of contemporary jazz innovation while paying homage to its timeless roots.

Other things taking place at The Jazz Social includes the Women in Jazz mixer on Thursday, 13 Nov from 7pm - 9pm, One Jazz presents: Salsa Select on Friday, 14 November, The Jazz Social pub quiz with Quizmaster Neil Cowley on Sunday, 16 November which is followed by In Conversation with Ammar Kalia, Emma Warren and André Marmot from 7pm - 8:30pm. On Sunday, 23 November from 12pm - 2pm there is a drop-in Print Workshop with Oli Bentley from design studio Split. A letterpress print exhibition -  First Pressings by Oli Bentley, Split will be situated in The Jazz Social for the duration of the pop-up; showcasing original album artworks he has created for artists including Dave Holland, Lionel Loueke, John Patitucci and beyond.

Everything Jazz are returning this year with their pop up shop with a wide range of vinyl from Blue Note records. The iconic jazz label will boast one of the finest new jazz vinyl collections in the UK to browse and purchase at The Jazz Social, plus they’ll have exclusive offers, unique label clothing, and much more. To celebrate the weekend of Japanese jazz, the Blue Note Pop-Up Store curated by Everything Jazz will be offering exclusive merch, signed vinyl and more - items will be available over the final weekend of the festival. There are also three separate talks presented by Everything Jazz, on Tuesday, 11 November there is A Brief History of Blue Note Records presented by Everything Jazz (5-6pm), on Wednesday, 12 November - British Jazz Explosion presented by Everything Jazz (5-6pm) and on Saturday, 15 November - Fontana Records: The Relaunch (5-6pm).

EFG London Jazz Festival will have a dedicated table for their own merch lines this year, which includes a bespoke festival print by Oli Bentley of design studio Split, festival t-shirts, tote bags and Jazz Social pint glasses - which you can bring straight to the bar where we are proud to serve Signature Brew draft beer.

Every weekday from Thursday, 13 November between 5 and 6pm there will be relaxed secret piano sets announced on the day of the show, with a mixture of visiting international artists and local jazz musicians alongside a 2 for 1 cocktail offer during this time.

The Jazz Social will have extended opening hours from Thursday to Saturday, as well as a Happy Hour from 5pm - 7pm on weekdays - and a programme of free and ticketed events throughout the two weeks.  Check the website for comprehensive opening times and listings - and we look forward to welcoming the festival community to our own space for this year’s EFG London Jazz Festival.

Serious and the EFG London Jazz Festival extend their gratitude to all of the sponsors and partners who play a crucial role in bringing The Jazz Social to life. Special thanks to Brookfield Properties and Culture Mile BID, whose incredible support, commitment and enthusiasm has made The Jazz Social possible. We’re grateful to Destination City for helping us to grow the project in its second year.  With further thanks to Blue Note Records and Everything Jazz for their continued support, as well as Champagne Thienot for their exceptional champagne and wines. The Festival also appreciates its partnership with Audio Gold for their exceptional PA system and audio equipment, Yamaha for providing the piano, and Guildhall School for their continued partnership and gifted young artists. Thanks to RNSS for supporting our Equaliser programme for mentoring young sound engineers. The EFG London Jazz Festival is excited to have Jazz FM and One Jazz broadcasting live from the venue. Special thanks to John Henrys for providing the backline and stage. Last but not least - thank you to The Japanese Embassy, who are supporting the activity on Sat 22 Nov.

The Jazz Social Event Schedule

11 Nov - A Brief History of Blue Note Records presented by Everything Jazz (5-6pm)

11 Nov - Sophia Thakur (8.30pm)

12 Nov - British Jazz Explosion presented by Everything Jazz (5-6pm)

12 Nov - Ayanna Witter Johnson (8pm)

13 Nov - Women in Jazz mixer (7-9pm)

14 - 16 Nov - Jazz FM live broadcasts (10am-2pm)

14 Nov - Baby Jazz Club: Tots Tunes With Tara Franks (3-4pm)

14 Nov - One Jazz Presents: Salsa Selects (7:30-midnight)

15 Nov - Baby Jazz Club: Nishla Smith and Matthew Bourne (3-4pm)

15 Nov - Fontana Records: The Relaunch (5-6pm)

15 Nov - Elysia Biro (8pm)

16 Nov - The Jazz Social pub quiz with quizmaster Neil Cowley (4-6pm)

16 Nov - In Conversation with Ammar Kalia, Emma Warren and André Marmot (7-8:30pm)

18 Nov - 21 Nov: One Jazz live broadcasts (12-4pm)

18 Nov - Yamaha presents Joe Webb, The Stone Jets + more (8pm)

19 Nov -  Blue Note showcase: Gabrielle Cavassa + Paul Cornish (8pm)

20 Nov - Hiromi (solo) + Q&A (8pm)

21 Nov -  DoomCannon (Stripped back W/ Friends) + album listening party + DJs (7:30pm)

22 Nov - Tony Higgins vinyl DJ set (12-3pm)

22 Nov - Midori Jaeger (3pm)

22 Nov - Tokyo Jazz Joints presents ‘JUJU’, a Japanese jazz kissa-inspired pop-up (4-6pm)

23 Nov - Print Workshop with Oli Bentley, Split (12-2pm)

23 Nov - Baby Jazz Club: Music to Interact With (3-4pm)

23 Nov - Ni Maxine (8pm)

Praise for 2024 edition

“beautifully curated” - The Guardian, ★★★★★

“The incredible musical jamboree of the EFG London Jazz Festival is our yearly reminder that the jazz scene has never been more various” - The Telegraph, ★★★★★

“exceptional” - The Times, ★★★★

“November can be a month to hunker down for the onset of winter and its weather, and where better to do that than in one of the myriad venues across the capital” - The Arts Desk, ★★★★

“there’s a noticeable buzz amongst the crowd amassing” - Clash

Serious is one of the UK’s leading producers of live jazz, international and new music through concerts, festivals, tours, digital shows, talent development schemes, learning and participation programmes, and bespoke events for all.
https://serious.org.uk/

EFG International is a global private banking group offering private banking and asset management services and is headquartered in Zurich. EFG International’s group of private banking businesses operates in around 40 locations worldwide. Its registered shares (EFGN) are listed on the SIX Swiss Exchange. 
https://www.efginternational.com/uk

The Culture Mile Business Improvement District (BID) is an area brimming with cultural creativity, commercial vibrancy and a strong sense of community, the area is home to globally famed institutions such as the Barbican Centre and the future Museum of London (reopening in 2026), as well as hidden gems including St Bartholomew The Great, London’s oldest surviving church, and some of the last surviving sections of the 2,000 year old wall that once surrounded the City of London.
Through its initial 5 year term, the Culture Mile BID will inject £11m into the local area, working in partnership with its levy-paying member businesses as well as the public sector to deliver a range of ambitious projects including major public realm enhancements, agenda-setting green and climate resilience initiatives and high-profile destination marketing campaign

Brookfield Properties develops and operates real estate investments on behalf of Brookfield Asset Management — one of the largest alternative asset managers in the world. From office to retail, logistics to multifamily, and hospitality to development, they work across sectors to bring high-quality, sustainable real estate to life around the globe every day. With a focus on sustainability, a commitment to excellence, and the drive for relentless innovation in the planning, development and management of buildings and their surroundings, Brookfield Properties is reimagining real estate from the ground up.
https://www.brookfieldproperties.com/en/