Kings Place, London announces launch of Kings Place Jazz Orchestra and autumn 2025 jazz shows.
Thursday, July 17, 2025
Kings Place announces the launch of the newly formed Kings Place Jazz Orchestra, a freshly curated series by Michael Mwenso and an autumn filled with jazz performances. Press release attached.
We have received the following press release;
Kings Place announces the launch of the newly formed Kings Place Jazz Orchestra, a freshly curated series by Michael Mwenso and an autumn filled with jazz performances by Sultan Stevenson, Julian Joseph, Zoe Rahman and more.
The newly formed Kings Place Jazz Orchestra, directed by award-winning British composer, arranger, and trombonist Callum Au, will perform their inaugural concert in November with guest pianist Rob Barron
Michael Mwenso returns to Kings Place as a Guest Curator with ‘Soul Assembly’, a new series where music meets conversation, and community comes alive: celebrating the music of Miles Davis, Bessie Smith, Billie Holiday and Ella Fitzgerald
Julian Joseph is joined by Zoe Rahman to present The Sounds of our Next Generation spotlighting rising stars of jazz as part of the 10th London Piano Festival
Piotr Wojtasik Quintet and Marcin Wasilewski Trio perform concerts as part of the inaugural Polish Jazz Festival
The autumn jazz series also stars Frank Gambale, Quercus trio (June Tabor, Iain Ballamy, Huw Warren), Jack Jennings and Omar Puente, Terje Isungset Ice Quartet, Ian Shaw and Sultan Stevenson
Kings Place today [17 July] announced the launch of their new resident ensemble, Kings Place Jazz Orchestra (KPJO), directed by award-winning composer, arranger and trombonist Callum Au. KPJO is a handpicked, project-based ensemble, made up of the UK’s finest jazz and big band musicians, alongside rising-star young artists. The ensemble hopes to serve as an inspiration for young musicians, opening its doors throughout the year to experience the ensemble in the surroundings of Kings Place’s Hall One. It is set to become a cornerstone of Kings Place’s commitment to both celebrating the depth of jazz tradition and pushing the boundaries of contemporary large ensemble writing. KPJO’s debut performance on 2 November will celebrate George Gershwin’s music, reimagined through the voices of jazz legends such as Miles Davis, Count Basie and Duke Ellington, culminating in a new arrangement of Rhapsody in Blue by Callum Au.
Callum Au, Creative Director, says:
“I’m tremendously excited to be the Creative Director of the newly formed KPJO. Having a top-flight large jazz ensemble with a dedicated home is an enormous responsibility and privilege. We have a spectacular programme of concerts lined up over the next year, featuring many of the finest musicians I’ve had the privilege of working with, from UK jazz stalwarts to rising stars.’’
Sam McShane, Artistic Director of Kings Place, says:
“This autumn, we’re proud to present a wide-ranging jazz programme that reflects Kings Place’s commitment to artistic excellence, adventurous programming and community building. The debut of the Kings Place Jazz Orchestra, under the direction of the remarkable Callum Au, marks a major milestone for us - a new cornerstone for large ensemble jazz in the UK. We’re also thrilled to welcome back the incomparable Michael Mwenso with his specially curated series, Soul Assembly, a powerful new series that places music, conversation and community at its heart. From Julian Joseph and Zoe Rahman championing the next generation of pianists, to the inaugural Polish Jazz Festival and standout performances by artists including Quercus, Ian Shaw, and Sultan Stevenson, this season shines a light on the rich spectrum of jazz today. We look forward to welcoming audiences old and new to be part of these inspiring musical journeys.”
Kings Place continues its commitment to jazz with 13 jazz shows between September and December. Emmy Award-winning creator, bandleader and creative artist Michael Mwenso returns to Kings Place as a guest curator of Soul Assembly, a new series where music meets conversation, and community comes alive, starting with a celebration of Miles Davis with Jay Phelps and Ammar Kalia who will share the stage to perform, talk, reflect and connect with the audience [3 Oct]. Mwenso then presents a family ancestral listening event, Sisters of Soul, celebrating great women in song, guiding the audience through an interactive listening journey as well as a special performance led by tenor saxophonist and Musical Director Ruben Fox [16 Nov]. This is followed by a Christmas show with Michael Mwenso and the Shakes, Funky Soulful Christmas, featuring thrilling new arrangements of holiday favourites and some original anthemic music [18 Dec].
Kings Place is hosting two performances as part of the inaugural Polish Jazz Festival. The Marcin Wasilewski Trio – considered one of the most important jazz groups from Poland – bring their signature blend of tradition and modernity for their Kings Place debut [15 Sept], and trumpeter Piotr Wojtasik performs an intimate Hall Two show with his Quintet [27 Sept].
Australian jazz guitarist Frank Gambale brings his ‘All-Star’ Group to Kings Place, starring bassist Federico Malaman, Yoann Schmidt on drums and Jerry Leonide on keyboard, who will be joined by pianist and composer Andrew McCormack [5 Oct]. Julian Joseph and Zoe Rahman headline an evening at the London Piano Festival to celebrate the future of jazz, sharing the stage with the talent of tomorrow for performances, collaboration and mentorship [12 Oct].
Other jazz highlights in the autumn include Jack Jennings and Omar Puente launching their new album Allied with Nature [17 Oct], June Tabor, Iain Ballamy and Huw Warren performing together as Quercus, sharing original compositions, traditional folk songs and reclaimed standards [19 Oct] and Sultan Stevenson – one of the most exciting young jazz musicians in London – returning to Kings Place with his trio [31 Oct]. The Terje Isungset Ice Quartet perform with their ensemble of voice, ice harp, ice horn, iceophone, ice percussion and ice bass following their sold-out show in 2021 [23 Nov], and Ian Shaw reimagines Sondheim’s iconic songs through a jazz lens [27 Nov].
Further information and tickets for the full range of jazz shows at Kings Place can be found on the Kings Place website.
https://www.kingsplace.co.uk/whats-on/jazz/
Concert listings
Mon 15 Sep | Hall One 8pm
MARCIN WASILEWSKI TRIO
PRESENTED BY POLISH JAZZ FESTIVAL
The Marcin Wasilewski Trio stands among the most important jazz groups to emerge from Poland in the last few decades. Known for their lyrical touch, intuitive interplay, and refined sense of space, the trio has carved out a distinctive voice in the international jazz scene. Performing as part of the Polish Jazz Festival London, the trio brings their signature blend of tradition and modernity to a city rich in jazz heritage.
£30 – £40; Half-price concessions
Sat 27 Sep | Hall Two 8pm
Piotr WojtAsik Quintet
Presented by Polish Jazz Festival
A master of the trumpet and a deeply expressive composer, Piotr Wojtasik has spent over four decades shaping European jazz with his distinctive voice and boundary-pushing creativity. Known for his lyrical tone, fearless improvisation, and collaborations with global jazz greats, Wojtasik brings decades of experience and expressive depth to an unforgettable night of European jazz excellence.
£30; £27 Under-30s
Fri 3 Oct | Hall Two 8pm
a celebration of Miles Davis
With Jay Phelps and Ammar Kalia
Michael Mwenso’s Soul Assembly
Michael Mwenso’s new series kicks off with a night of conversation and music with writer, musician and poet Ammar Kalia and UK’s leading trumpet player Jay Phelps - supported by DJ Jake Milliner.
In this joyful and immersive gathering as part of the Soul Assembly series, musician and educator Michael Mwenso will guide attendees through a communal exploration of recorded music with a focus on the indelible offerings of Miles Davis. Fresh from his recently curated Miles Davis Kind of Blue performances, Jay Phelps brings together an ensemble to perform highlights from this show alongside conversation between Michael Mwenso himself and musician, poet and writer, Ammar Kalia.
£24; Half-price concessions; £10 Under-30s
Sun 5 Oct | Hall One 7.30pm
FRANK GAMBALE ‘ALL-STAR’ GROUP
Plus Andrew McCormack
The Frank Gambale ‘All-Star’ Group – sizzling with a fantastic variety for guitar enthusiasts to feast on, the group showcases a formidable line-up that includes bassist innovator Federico Malaman, the ever-impressive Yoann Schmidt on drums, and Jerry Leonide, keyboard master from Mauritius via Paris. With support from exceptional pianist and composer Andrew McCormack
£25 – £35; Half-price concessions; £10 Under-30s
Sun 12 Oct | Hall One 5pm
JULIAN JOSEPH PRESENTS
THE SOUNDS OF OUR NEXT GENERATION
London Piano Festival
Jazz legends Julian Joseph and Zoe Rahman headline an electrifying evening celebrating the future of jazz. From swinging standards to bold new sounds, experience an unforgettable fusion of tradition and innovation, led by two of the UK’s most influential jazz pianists. Witness the talent of tomorrow, in a night filled with dynamic performances, collaboration and inspirational mentorship.
£20 – £30; Half-price concessions; £10 Under-30s
Fri 17 Oct | Hall One 7.30pm
Jack Jennings & Omar Puente
‘Allied with Nature’ Album Launch
Earth Unwrapped
Two of the most electrifying virtuosos of the UK scene, Jack Jennings & Omar Puente create new music inspired by the world’s biggest natural sound library. A powerful electric band led by guitar and violin, combining raga themes of Indian classical music, with a jazz/rock rhythm section of Domenico Angarano on bass, Arthur Newell on drums. Bringing nature’s voice to the project is wildlife sound recordist Martyn Stewart and The Listening Planet.
£21 – £36; Half-price concessions; £10 Under-30s
Sun 19 Oct | Hall One 6pm
JUNE TABOR, IAIN Ballamy and Huw Warren
Quercus
Three of the UK’s most celebrated folk and jazz musicians come together to create mesmerising, lyrical chamber music that forges June’s intensely passionate voice with Iain’s gloriously mellifluous melodies and Huw’s off-kilter musicality, to tell of life’s bitter-sweet tales. Drawing on their life’s work including original compositions, traditional folk songs and reclaimed standards, Quercus subtly colours each song to create a magical atmosphere.
£18 – £30; Half-price concessions; £10 Under-30s
Fri 31 Oct | Hall One 8pm
Sultan Stevenson Trio
Sultan Stevenson is one of the most exciting young jazz musicians in London today. He did his first international tour in October 2023 when he was invited to Ireland, a tour that included an appearance at The Guinness Cork Jazz Festival. On March 28th, he released his second album El Roi on Edition Records, launching with a sold-out show at the Southbank Centre. Following this, his trio is set for a European tour at various high-profile jazz clubs and festivals.
£18 – £30; Half-price concessions; £10 Under-30s
Sun 2 Nov | Hall One 5pm
KINGS PLACE JAZZ ORCHESTRA
Presents: Gershwin’s Rhapsody in Blue
Kings Place proudly presents the launch of the newly formed Kings Place Jazz Orchestra. Directed by award-winning composer, arranger and trombonist Callum Au, and featuring acclaimed guest pianist Rob Barron, the Orchestra will perform a dynamic programme of music by George Gershwin – reimagined through the voices of jazz legends such as Miles Davis, Count Basie, and Duke Ellington – culminating in Callum’s epic new arrangement of Rhapsody in Blue.
£25 – £45; Half-price concessions; £10 Under-30s
Sun 16 Nov | Hall Two 3pm
Sisters of soul – celebrating BESSIE SMITH, BILLIE HOLIDAY and ELLA FITZGERALD
Family event
Michael Mwenso’s Soul Assembly
Join us for a joyful, family-friendly celebration of music, community and powerful female voices from the past through Michael Mwenso’s Sisters of Soul show. This warm and inclusive session exists to connect with music, stories and the spirit of shared cultural roots through the music of Bessie Smith, Billie Holiday and Ella Fitzgerald. Through uplifting music, performed by Ruben Fox, playful storytelling and irresistible rhythms, we’ll explore the timeless music and inspiring lives of these legendary artists.
£15; £8 Under-30s
Sun 23 Nov | Hall One 5pm
Terje Isungset Ice Quartet
The extraordinary, beautiful and ethereal sounds of ice
Earth Unwrapped
Terje Isungset’s ice concert is a tribute to the most important thing in the whole world – nature – and is based on music from his albums Winter Songs and Beauty of Winter, alongside new material from their Ice Quartet album released in November 2024. The instruments are made during Isungset’s annual Ice Music Festival in Norway. They are carved and crafted using only natural frozen ice from the lakes.
£20 – £35; Half-price concessions; £10 Under-30s
Thu 27 Nov | Hall One 8pm
Ian Shaw sings Stephen Sondheim
Stephensong
With his signature blend of emotional depth, wit, and vocal virtuosity, Ian Shaw reimagines Sondheim’s iconic songs through a jazz lens – infusing them with fresh nuance while honouring their melodic, emotional and theatrical brilliance. From the aching introspection of Children Will Listen and the vocally dexterous Another Hundred People, Shaw’s interpretations are both intimate and grand, capturing the heart of Sondheim’s storytelling.
£30; Half-price concessions; £10 Under-30s
Thu 18 Dec | Hall Two 8pm
MWENSO and The Shakes
funky soulful Christmas
Michael Mwenso’s Soul Assembly
Led by Michael Mwenso, this event promises to bring to life an Afro-Futuristic Winter Wonderland. This show also marks the second year of Michael’s Soulful Funky Christmas show, which premiered last year in London and showcases the work he’s been championing across the U.S. for over a decade. Experience thrilling new arrangements of holiday favourites and some of Mwenso and The Shakes’ original anthemic music. In true Soul Assembly style, the evening of music will be paired with conversation, led by writer, musician and poet Ammar Kalia.
£28; Half-price concessions; £10 Under-30s
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