Guildford Jazz Events, September 2026.

Saturday, July 11, 2026

Mick Thomas of Guildford Jazz has forwarded details of a particularly busy programme for September 2026. Full details attached.

Mick Thomas writes;

Steve Waterman Octet at Guildford Jazz,
The Guildford Pavilion, Guildford, Surrey
Date: Thursday, September 3, 2026
More details
Steve Waterman Octet
Thursday 3 September from 20.00 to 22.15 (doors open 19.00) at the Guildford Pavilion, Woodbridge Rd, Guildford GU1 4RP
Trumpeter Steve Waterman’s Octet celebrates the music of Miles Davis - one of the most iconic and influential figures in the history of jazz - with a selection spanning his whole career, from Birth of the Cool through to Porgy and Bess and the Miles Ahead Gil Evans collaborations. Featuring some of the UK’s finest jazz musicians: Alan Barnes (alto sax), Dave O’Higgins (tenor sax), Karen Sharp (baritone sax), Mark Nightingale (trombone), Gareth Williams (piano), Marianne Windham (bass), and Clark Tracey (drums).
For more details and to book tickets visit
https://www.guildfordjazz.org.uk

The Mantecas at Guildford Jazz,
Guildford Castle grounds, Guildford, Surrey
Date: Saturday, September 5, 2026
More details
Saturday 5 September from 17.00 to 19.00 (gates open at 16.00) in the grounds of Guildford Castle, Castle St, Guildford GU1 3UW
The Mantecas are an electrifying eight-piece, London-based, Salsa, Latin Jazz and Boogaloo band known for filling dance floors wherever they play. From Glastonbury Festival to The Jazz Café, they’ve built a reputation for high-energy performances that blend infectious Afro-Latin rhythms, punchy brass and irresistible grooves. Guaranteed to blow your mind with a mesmerising mix of salsa, funk, Latin jazz and boogaloo. Featuring acclaimed Cuban flautist & singer Ludys Hernandez and an all-star line-up. Bring a picnic and get ready to party! For more details and to book tickets visit
https://www.guildfordjazz.org.uk

Alan Barnes & Dave Newton at Guildford Jazz, The Guildford Institute, Guildford, Surrey
Date: Monday, September 7, 2026
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Alan Barnes & Dave Newton
Monday 7 September from 14.00 to 15.00 (doors open for lunch at 12.00) at the Guildford Institute, Ward St, Guildford GU1 4LH
Two of the UK’s world-class and most popular jazz musicians present a lunchtime special for the Guildford Festival. Saxophonist Alan Barnes has received over 25 British Jazz Awards and has twice been made BBC Jazz Musician of the Year, while pianist Dave Newton has been voted best Jazz Pianist in the British Jazz awards for the thirteenth time. They have been playing duets together for over 40 years, displaying an unrivalled musical empathy that can only come with long experience.
For more details and to book tickets visit
https://www.guildfordjazz.org.uk

Deli Sosimi at Guildford Jazz, The University of Surrey, Guildford, Surrey
Date: Friday, September 11, 2026
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Deli Sosimi Afrobeat Experience
Friday 11 September from 19.45 to 22.10 (doors open 19.15) at The Boileroom, 13 Stoke Fields, Guildford GU1 4LS
Having started his musical career while in his teens Dele Sosimi, the Nigerian- British Afrobeat Ambassador, Musician and Educator, has been at the heart of the global Afrobeat scene for over forty years. His blend of complex funk grooves, traditional Nigerian music, African percussion and an underlying sense of jazz combines with his virtuoso keyboard skills and rhythmic singing to make him one of the most respected Afrobeat authorities of his era.  Plus support act The Joe Garland Band. For more details and to book tickets visit
https://www.guildfordjazz.org.uk

Hejira at Guildford Jazz, The Guildford Pavilion, Guildford, Surrey
Date: Friday, September 18, 2026
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Hejira - Friday 18 September from 20.00 to 22.00 (doors open 19.15) at the Performing Arts Studio, Surrey University, Stag Hill, Guildford GU2 7XH
Set up in 2023 to celebrate the ‘greatest’ songs of Joni Mitchell, 7-piece band Hejira are fronted by the extraordinarily talented Hattie Whitehead, who not only sings
masterfully with Joni’s poise and pitch-accuracy, but also plays guitar in the style of Mitchell, incorporating various open tunings which lend an instant authenticity to the colour of the songs. This year, Hejira will be embarking on their first tour of the USA, including a headline slot at the 40th Syracuse Jazz Festival. For more details
and to book tickets visit 
https://www.guildfordjazz.org.uk

Iain Ballamy Quartet at Guildford Jazz,
The Guildford Pavilion, Guildford, Surrey
Date: Wednesday, September 23, 2026
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Iain Ballamy Quartet
Wednesday 23 September from 20.00 to 22.15 (doors open 19.00) at the Guildford Pavilion, Woodbridge Rd, Guildford GU1 4RP
World-class saxophonist, composer and ECM recording artist Iain Ballamy appears in the BBC publication ‘100 Jazz Greats’. His many career highlights include performing with Hermeto Pascoal, Loose Tubes, Bill Bruford’s Earthworks, Carla Bley and Cedar Walton and, in a live BBC broadcast, playing Richard Rodney Bennett’s ‘Concerto for Stan Getz’ with the BBC Concert Orchestra. Iain’s quartet includes award-winning guitarist Rob Luft, who featured on Iain Ballamy’s latest, highly acclaimed, album ‘Riversphere’, plus Nick Pini (bass) and Corrie Dick (drums).
For more details and to book tickets visit 
https://www.guildfordjazz.org.uk

CK GOSPEL CHOIR at Guildford Jazz, St Nicholas Church, Guildford, Surrey
Date: Friday, September 25, 2026
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CK Gospel Choir
Friday 25 September from 19.45 to 21.30 (doors open 19.00) at the St Nicholas Church, Bury St, Guildford GU2 4AW
CK Gospel Choir is a dynamic collective of London-based vocalists known for their unique blend of close harmonies, ‘gospel fusion’ infectious energy and world- class performances. CKGC have spent almost 20 years captivating audiences across the UK, Europe, and beyond so whether it’s a festival crowd or a private celebration, they bring gospel, soul, professionalism, and unforgettable sound to every performance. CKGC will be performing with their own fabulous rhythm section so expect joyous gospel, infused with infectious soul and funk. For more details and to book tickets visit 
https://www.guildfordjazz.org.uk