Anna Chandler-King brings an intimate and deeply emotional set of intricately arranged music written around the passing of her mother, and a nonet comprised of some of her favourite musicians that were there for her when she needed them. Each piece represents a specific moment from that time. She draws on large ensemble, contemporary jazz, avante-garde improvisation and the variety of jazz and improvised music that excites her to bring an eclectic and varied sound that is tied together by the message and incredible musicianship.

Expect compositions that are deeply heartfelt and intense, but also some that are light-hearted and playful, with a selection of amazing improvisers to bring their interpretations to her music.

LINEUP

Anna Chandler-King - Alto & Baritone Saxophones

Riley Stone-Lonergan - Tenor & Soprano Saxophones

Will Howard - Tenor & Alto Saxophones

Laurence Mason - Bass Saxophone & Bassoon

Ellie Whitley -  Trombone

Tom Harris - Piano

Sam Quintana - Double Bass

Steve Hanley - Drums

Kel Àlvaro - Voice

One of the most distinctive voices in jazz and improvised music today, Laura Jurd's unique approach to the trumpet is celebrated in the work that she creates. Laura's love of folk traditions can often be heard in her music, alongside a background in classical composition. The result is a melodic world full of compelling twists and turns, whilst retaining a grounded sense of familiarity.

In the past couple of years, Laura's love of traditional music has deepened having played alongside the likes of Irish fiddle player Ultan O'Brien and English accordionist Martin Green (one third of super-group Lau). This autumn sees Laura returning to the stage, presenting her astonishing new album, "Rites & Revelations" release due October 2025. For this exclusive line-up preview show, Laura is joined by the uniquely dynamic rhythm section of Tara Cunningham - guitar and Corrie Dick - drums.

"Jurd seems unconcerned by transient fashions or enrolment in any kind of scene, and pursues a private muse that draws on jazz, folk traditions from Europe and the Middle East... her work is always spiritedly accessible, and often suggests wordless songs” - John Fordham, The Guardian

LINEUP

Laura Jurd - trumpet

Tara Cunningham - guitar

Corrie Dick - drums

While trapped for several days on a bus with fifty children Mike decided to escape his reality the only way he knew how - by immersing himself in a mathematically torturous rhythmic prison of his own design. Over the following months he attempted to make sense of the relentless polymetric ear-worms which had by now burrowed deep in to his grey matter. An accord was reached, call it Stockholm syndrome if you like, so get ready as he prepares to present the fruits of his tortured psyche, with the help of some of his favourite musicians/inmates - Ivo Neame (Phronesis/Marius Neset), Tom Farmer (Empirical) and Jon Scott (GoGo Penguin).

Romarna Campbell, an Olivier award-winning composer, dynamic drummer, and innovative music educator, proudly hails from Birmingham and is now based in London. With a career spanning continents and genres, Romarna has captivated audiences as the drummer for Fever Ray, Benjamin Clementine, and Courtney Pine. Her extensive touring has taken her across Europe, the USA, and Australia, performing at iconic venues such as the Royal Albert Hall and the Sydney Opera House.

A Berklee College of Music alumna and mentor, Romarna is deeply committed to nurturing the next generation of musicians. She also leads the Frontline Ensemble as part of Tomorrow’s Warriors, a testament to her dedication to music education and community building. Romarna's compositional work has garnered acclaim, including her role as the film composer and sound designer for the National Youth Theatre’s ‘The Ancestors’ and as the composer for the 2023 Bush Theatre production ‘Sleepova’.

Romarna’s mission is to create music that reflects our current reality with artistic integrity, inspiring the next generation, especially those from diverse socioeconomic, racial, and gender backgrounds, to find opportunities and solutions to follow a similar path. Her diverse skill set encompasses drumming, sound design, music direction, film and theatre composition, orchestration, and conducting masterclasses and workshops. Recognised for her talent and vision, she was shortlisted for the Jazz Composition 2024 Arts Foundation Futures Awards and boasts credits with Netflix, Amazon, and Meta. As a professor, she inspires students with her authentic, warm, and unique teaching style, making complex concepts accessible and engaging.

Standing on the shoulders of giants, Romarna is an inspirational force, drawing from her rich heritage and experiences to forge a unique path forward. Her mentors, including Dr. Gary Crosby OBE, Terri Lyne Carrington, Neal Smith, and Billy Kilson, have profoundly influenced her artistic journey.

Romarna Campbell's story is one of passion, creativity, boundless curiosity, and a relentless drive to inspire and uplift through music, resonating deeply with young artists and music enthusiasts.

Noah Stoneman is a pianist and composer from North London. He is adept at a wide range of musical idioms. What binds these different languages together is improvisation; an art which Noah aims to master throughout his career. He regularly performs as a sideman for some of the finest musicians across the UK from all generations.

As a composer, Noah takes influence from all walks of music both contemporary and traditional. He is equally adept at subtly emotive synthesiser world-building as well as classic orchestral/chamber themes inspired by timeless predecessors. Noah’s music has been performed at music festivals and venues around the world, including Brainchild festival, Manchester Jazz Festival, La Petite Halle in Paris and Somersby Festival in Lisbon. Over the last 3 years he has taken up contemporary classical composition tuition with Ruth Byrchmore and Alex Hills at the Royal Academy of Music. Noah has composed and arranged for myriad ensembles ranging from Piano Trio, Big Band, Improvising Octet, String Quartet and recently had 2 original song cycles for piano and Opera Soprano performed at the RAM ‘Students Create’ festival. In 2022 Noah composed the original score for the mini series ‘Life in Love’ directed by Abel Rubinstein, which was broadcast on ITV and went on to be shown at the BFI London Film Festival.

In October 2021, Noah recorded his debut album at Livingston Studios, London, with his trio of Will Sach on bass and Luca Caruso on drums. Comprised of all original material and produced by long-time mentor and ECM recording artist Kit Downes, the record offers a fresh poetic statement that realises Stoneman’s compositional identity.

Rising Piano star Tom Ward brings his debut album to Digbeth Jazz

in//motion is an original project spearheaded by saxophonist and composer Luke Chakrabarti. They effortlessly weave a spellbinding blend of contemporary jazz improvisation with the sounds of folk and post-rock.

The driving philosophy behind the creative processes of in//motion is giving each unique voice within the collective the freedom to express their own musical identity, whilst continually developing the voice of the group.

At its core, in//motion is simultaneously a celebration of community and individuality by way of personal expression and collective communication.

Liberty, an American tap dancer and electronic producer, brings their raw rhythmic energy to Digbeth Jazz alongside long-time friends Xhosa and Josh for a night of jazz, dance, electronics, and free improvisation.

Band Personnel: Liberty Styles (tap + electronics)

Xhosa Cole (sax + electronics)

Josh Vadiveloo (bass + electronics)

BIG BRASS BBQ (LINEUP TBA)

Birmingham Jazz Orchestra are excited to be back, playing all original compositions and arrangements by past and present members of the Birmingham jazz community. The band features some of Birminghams finest musicians and improvisers.

BJO have three albums under their belt recorded throughout the past 10 years featuring compositions by Sean Gibbs, Jacky Naylor and Tom Haines. BJO have also recently worked with UK jazz legends Nikki Iles and Josephine Davies.

Born in Huddersfield, West Yorkshire, Jonny Mansfield grew up surrounded by music. From an early age, influenced by his parents’ work as music educators and performers in the area, he was drawn to the idea of connection through sound—a culture that has softly guided his journey as a musician and composer.

More recently, Jonny has been involved in projects such as Byron Wallen’s 'Hurricane Bells,' performances with Emma Rawicz, and collaborating with Empirical for their 'Wonder is the Beginning' album launch featuring Jason Rebello. 

Jonny is currently developing several exciting projects, collaborating with both close friends and deeply inspiring musicians. These include performing as part of Felix Ambach’s band alongside Emmanuel Michael, Roger Kintopf, and Julius Gawlik, as well as working with longtime collaborators Rory and Dominic Ingham. A forthcoming three-track EP captures the energy of a live performance at The Loft in Cologne with Felix and Roger, and plans are underway for a sequel album to 'The Air In Front Of You' with his quintet. 

Jonny regularly updates his public folder 'PLAYSPACE' with unreleased recordings and evolving ideas. This ongoing project reflects his belief in approaching creativity with openness and adaptability—qualities that have always been at the heart of his relationship with music. 

Jonny has had the huge honour and pleasure of learning from and working with artists such as Chris Potter, Nikki Iles, Stan Sulzmann, Byron Wallen, Kit Downes, Jim Hart, Kaja Draksler, Ivo Neame, Tom Herbert to name a few. His musical journey has taken him around the world to venues including the Bimhuis, the Royal Albert Hall, and SXSW Festival.

In the summer of 2019, Jonny released his debut album with his 11-piece ensemble Elftet and toured the UK with the support of Arts Council England. This project was a milestone, reflecting years of collaboration and experimentation. The same year, he received the Kenny Wheeler Jazz Prize, leading to a release with Edition Records.

During lockdown in August 2020, Jonny set himself the challenge of composing, recording, mixing, and mastering an album in a single day. It was an attempt to capture the strange, introspective atmosphere of the time—a snapshot of creativity under unusual constraints. During this period, Jonny also pursued an MSc in Psychology at Huddersfield University, educating himself to understand connection in many forms and the way we learn from a young age. This exploration of psychology and its connection to creativity culminated in a set of compositions for quintet, which were later released as 'The Air In Front Of You,' an album featuring Dominic Ingham, Midori Jaeger, Will Sach, and James Maddren.

As a composer, Jonny values projects that allow for exploration and new challenges. He was commissioned by Marsden Jazz Festival to write an hour-long suite inspired by Simon Armitage’s poetry, later broadcast on BBC Radio 3’s Jazz Now and nominated for an Ivors Award for Best Large Ensemble Jazz Composition. He also wrote a vibraphone and trombone duo for LSO principals Neil Percy and Peter Moore, which premiered at LSO St. Luke’s.

Jonny enjoys teaching and the opportunity it brings to share ideas and help others develop their own understanding and creativity within music. He currently teaches at the Guildhall School of Music and Drama, Trinity Laban Conservatoire and UCS Junior School.

"Really beautiful music.” - Jorge Rossy

"A musical vision beyond his years.” - Evan Parker

Percy Pursglove brings his new ensemble HYPER LOCAL to DIGBETH JAZZ

Percy Pursglove is a multi-instrumentalist trumpeter, double bassist, educator, improviser and composer, working internationally across a broad spectrum of jazz, contemporary classical and creative musical settings.

“Somehow Pursglove created a completely whole musical world all of his own. That is a rare achievement.” – Jazzwise

Born and raised in London, British/Iranian guitarist Karim Saber is steadily building a profile as both a performer and composer to watch. Known for his instrumental prowess and creativity, he is in demand as a sideman and regularly tours throughout Europe as part of the Lukas De Rungs Quintet/Kosmos Suite project. In 2021, whilst studying at the Royal Academy of Music, Karim established his band, which features some of the most creative and in demand young musicians in London. 

His debut album 'Transmission' was released on UK based label Ubuntu music in January 2024.

‘Amidst the many London guitarists, Karim Saber is one who’s playing I am most excited about. He’s got ferocious chops, a great repertoire and I really enjoy his writing’ - Ant Law

‘Karim is one of the most recognisable and distinctive guitarists to emerge on the UK jazz scene in recent years. His compositions, tone and ideas are unique to him and I absolutely love this new album he has put together. I think he will be a much sought after play once audiences get a chance to hear this beautiful set of original tunes’ - Chris Montague

Known for his international collaborations with visiting musicians to Ireland, Dublin-based Dave Redmond has assembled an all-star cast for this record: George Colligan is one of the world’s leading jazz musicians and pianists; Stéphane Mercier is one of the most in-demand saxophonists on the European jazz scene, and when coupled with Darren Beckett's dynamic drumming, this exciting ensemble create a captivating sonic landscape that transcends traditional jazz boundaries.

Listeners can expect a rich tapestry of sound, where each track unfolds with a perfect
balance of structure and spontaneity. Redmond’s compositions, characterized by
intricate melodies and thoughtful arrangements, provide the perfect canvas for the
quartet’s collective improvisation.

From the pulsating rhythms, jaw dropping piano solos, soulful saxophone solos, and
the deep resonance of the double bass, this quartet takes the audience on a
mesmerizing journey through the realms of contemporary jazz.