LINEUP Q3 2026
JULY 2026
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AUGUST 2026
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SEPTEMBER 2026
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JULY 2026 / AUGUST 2026 / SEPTEMBER 2026 /
7 JULY 2026 - AURUM
14 JULY - MILES MINDLIN QUARTET
21 JULY - IVO NEAME FT TOM FARMER + SHANE FORBES
28 JULY - FRANCIS TULIP FT. MEJEDI OWUSU
4 AUGUST - BIGHEADMODE W/ HORNS
11 AUGUST - JOSH BAILEY TRIO
18 AUGUST - A HOLOGRAM MAZE
25 AUGUST - DIGBETH JAZZ 2ND BIRTHDAY CHARITY FUNDRAISER FT. DISCO MANIFEST
1 SEPTEMBER - TDE X DIGBETH JAZZ: JOHN POPE QUINTET
8 SEPTEMBER - HOMELANDS
15 SEPTEMBER - IN//MOTION ALBUM LAUNCH
22 SEPTEMBER - TOM BARFORD QUINTET
29 SEPTEMBER - GIULIA MARRO QUARTET
LINEUP Q2 2026
APRIL 2026
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MAY 2026
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JUNE 2026
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APRIL 2026 / MAY 2026 / JUNE 2026 /
7 APRIL 2026 - DONOVAN HAFFNER QUINTET
14 APRIL 2026 - TC.KYLIE X THE HOURGLASS
21 APRIL 2026 - DREAMSCAPES
28 APRIL 2026 - TOM FORD
5 MAY 2026 - AIDAN POPE QUINTET
12 MAY 2026 - FELIX AMBACH GROUP
19 MAY 2026 - JANETTE MASON - REWIRED
26 MAY 2026 - TDE PROMOTIONS x DIGBETH JAZZ: PETER EVANS / PETTER ELDH / JIM BLACK
2 JUNE - BECCA WILKINS
9 JUNE 2026 - BIRMINGHAM JAZZ ORCHESTRA
16 JUNE 2026 - OLIVIA CUTTILL
23 JUNE 2026 - ALEX HITCHCOCK QUARTET
LINEUP Q1 2026 / JANUARY / FEBRUARY / MARCH /
LINEUP Q1 2026 / JANUARY / FEBRUARY / MARCH /
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POWERHOUSE DOUBLE TENOR QUARTET
Joe Wright
Josh Arcoleo
Nick Jurd
Jonathan Silk“A wild, muscular delight.”
- London Jazz News
FORJ is an exciting quartet led by drummer Jonathan Silk, featuring the critically acclaimed and long time friend and collaborator, Nick Jurd on double bass alongside the incredible musicianship of two of London’s finest improvisers, Joe Wright and Josh Arcoleo on tenor saxophones. This band promises high octane grooves and expansive improvisation across a whole series of original compositions.
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Alex Merritt is a jazz saxophonist, composer, educator and producer from Cambridge who lives in Bristol. Alex studied with Mike Williams, Julian Siegel, Hans Koller and Mike Gibbs at the Birmingham Conservatoire, where he graduated with 1st class hons in 2009. He found the experience very formative, and it sparked his interest in composition and the integration of techniques, and harmonic devices, from contemporary classical music into jazz.
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Since this time Alex has released two well received albums for the Spanish label Fresh Sound New Talent- Common Threads (2022), Mind-Ear Ladder (2022) as well as his debut recording, ‘Anatta’, on F-ire Records (2015). This album, featuring Jeff Williams, Sam Lasserson and John Turville was critically- praised as “a promising debut, of striking quality” by the Guardian’s John Fordham on its release and was followed by a successful UK tour in 2016. Alex has also been successfully awarded ACE funding for tours with leading UK and European musicians such as the German pianist Pablo Held (2019) and Steve Fishwick, with whom Alex toured Mind-Ear-Ladder’ on a 9 date UK tour in 2022. These tours saw Alex performing at venues such as Ronnie Scott’s Jazz Club, Pizza Express Jazz Club and The Vortex amongst others.
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Further collaborations have seen Alex performing with veteran American guitarist John Stowell (in 2023/2024), Italian drummer Antonio Fusco (2024) as well as top UK musicians Jason Rebello, Iain Ballamy, Dave Smith, Elliot Galvin, Jeremy Stacey, Nick Malcolm and Rebecca Nash, with whom Alex is presently working on a new duo album to be released in 2026.
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Interested in building networks of like minded musicians internationally, Alex had a unique honor to produce and curate a 30th Anniversary album for Fresh Sound New Talent in 2022. This commission from the labels founder Jordi Pujol resulted in ‘Common Threads’; an album that required Alex to build on his abilities to choreograph a large-scale international that featured many leading young voices in European jazz, including Tom Ollendorff, Alex Hitchcock and Adele Sauros. Alex hopes to build on the skills he learnt from this project to seek opportunities to amplify a diverse range of musical personalities from within the UK scene and more widely.
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Alex enjoys a great balance between his performing/ composing work, his educational work at the Royal Welsh College of Music and Drama, family life, his private teaching practice and gig co-curation for the Fringe In The Round in Clifton, Bristol.
FEATURED IN
Mind-Ear-Ladder, The Jazz Man 4* Review
Eddie Myer, Jazz Views M-E-L Review
Mind-Ear-Ladder feature in London Jazz News
Anatta 3* review, The Guardian
Anatta 5* review, Adrian Pallant, AP reviews
**** Ian Mann
“The writing is consistently intelligent, sophisticated and varied, very much within the jazz tradition but subtly pushing at its boundaries”.
Brian Payne, Jazz Journal
“The group played a superb set of straight-ahead and contemporary originals inspired by Strayhorn, Stanley Cowell, Pablo Held and others”.
*** John Fordham, the Guardian
“A promising jazz debut of striking quality”.
**** Stephen Graham, Marlbank News
“It’s one of the best UK jazz recordings I’ve heard this year”.
***** Adrian Pallant, AP reviews
“Merritt’s warm, dry, Getzian fluency is a joy, whether intertwining with Turville’s mysterious, unpredictable chordal shifts or bubbling with controlled fervour....This feels like just the beginning… and what a beginning”.
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Double bill from Brum’s new rising stars - final year students at Royal Birmingham Conservatoire Macy Wright (bass) and Ben Shankland (piano) bring their ensembles to Digbeth Jazz.
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Improvised electronic Drum and Bass. Not featuring Blueman Nelson.
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This gig marks the launch of ‘In Those Remote Stars’, the latest album by pianist/composer Olly Chalk. Assembling five of the most unique emerging voices in improvised music, this bold and cinematic album combines intricate song-writing with deeply imaginative improvising. Releasing on Resonant Postcards, ‘In Those Remote Stars’ is innovative, other-worldly and warmly heartfelt.
Olly Chalk is an improvising pianist and composer based in South-East London. A distinctive and forward-thinking voice in contemporary British improvised music, he combines bold imagination with a deeply expressive approach to the piano. His debut album Scathed Citizens (2019), featuring New York saxophonist John O’Gallagher, received critical acclaim and toured widely across the UK, including performances at Symphony Hall, Birmingham and Philharmonic Hall, Liverpool. Since then, Chalk has developed a range of projects that explore new sonic territory, releasing self-produced albums that blend ethereal textures, voice, brass and synths.
He co-leads the trio Dornbusch/Chalk/Glaser, collaborates with guitarist Daniel Kemshell, and performs regularly with artists such as Olivia Murphy and Sam Eastmond. His forthcoming release In Those Remote Stars (Resonant Postcards, 2026) presents cinematic, emotionally charged compositions, while his quartet Houndsbleat continues to explore the extremes of free improvisation. Chalk also teaches Jazz Piano at Trinity Laban and the Centre for Young Musicians, London.
“Versatile and disciplined” – Jazzwise
“Ferocious and original” – London Jazz News
“A virtuoso pianist with a compelling and unique musical vision” – John O’Gallagher“Super creative and different” – John Escreet
“Channeling the spirit of Cecil Taylor” – The Jazz Mann
Olly Chalk - piano/compositions
Ruta Sipola - flute
Daniel Kemshell - guitar
Hugo Piper - bass
Corrie Dick - drums
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IDEASTHESIA is a quintet project bringing together rising star improvisers led by saxophonist / composer George Garford.
George Garford - Alto Saxophone / Composer / Bandleader
Daniel Kemshell - Guitar
Olly Chalk - Piano
Huw V Williams - Double Bass
Josh Walker-Martin - Drums
Exploring the intersections between contemporary jazz and free improvisation, the quintet has built a reputation for high-energy performances and an imaginative band sound.
Garford's writing seeks to balance the ensemble’s collective freedom with a detailed personal aesthetic; navigating tightly woven structures, expansive textural landscapes and unfolding narratives with a sense of urgency.
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Red Kite is a pan-European Danish / English / Italian quintet that sits at the intersection of jazz, classical, and electronic music. The quintet is led by Danish pianist Esben Tjalve and features bassist Jasper Høiby, guitarist Hannes Riepler, trumpeter Fulvio Sigurta, and drummer Marc Michel.
Red Kite plays acoustic modern jazz with some electronic elements that help create a cinematic undertone in the music.
The quintet creates colorful instrumentation with trumpet, guitar, piano, and keys. The strong rhythm section consisting of Jasper Høiby (Phronesis, Planet B) and Marc Michel (Planet B, John Hollenbeck) provides a strong underlying groove that creates a solid base for both composition and improvisation.
The moods vary from cinematic noir ballads to groovy car chase scenarios, creating a cinematic universe reminiscent of Miles Davis and Arve Henriksen.
Red Kite has previously released the album Theory of Colours, which was recognized with an invitation to play the European showcase at Jazzahead in Bremen in 2021. The quintet has a new album coming out on the German label Berthold Records this fall.
"Pleasingly melodic but also deeply rhythmic, easily digestible yet subtly challenging, and just full of good ideas allied to exemplary playing." The Jazz Mann
"... every track contains an abundance of beauty and originality, with serene melodies and subtle arrangements which give plenty of scope for improvisation." Peter Jones, London Jazz News.
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LIAM BRENNAN RETURNS, BRINGING HIS 4 HORN FRONTLINE ENSEMBLE
ABACUS is a chord-less sextet, featuring musicians from London and Birmingham. The idea for the group was formed back in 2018 after listening to Omer Avital’s Asking No Permission which featured a 4-horn frontline. The music aims to combine music from the small group and Big Band tradition. They have recently recorded in August last year and will be on in the UK in autumn this year.Liam Brennan is a Saxophonist and Composer currently based in Norway. He performs primarily on Alto Saxophone, but also on Soprano, Tenor, Flute and Clarinet. Liam has been fortunate to be mentored by composers Mike Gibbs and Ed Puddick, as well as being taught by Mike Williams and world-renowned New York Saxophonist John ‘O’ Gallagher. He has performed at outstanding performance spaces, such as at the Siena Jazz Festival, The Thailand International Jazz Conference, and Cheltenham Jazz Festival. Other recent performing highlights include Pizza Express, Soho, London, the Karamel Club, Symphony Hall and Birmingham Jazz Festival.
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QOW TRIO is a unique multi-generational jazz band featuring award-winning young firebrand saxophonist Riley Stone-Lonergan, storied British Jazz legend Spike Wells on drums, and multi-genre bassist and bandleader Eddie Myer. The band arose out of a chance meeting at the Verdict Jazz Club in Brighton and, despite the three musicians’ differences in age, it soon became clear that they had much in common - a love of the lineage of big-toned tenor players matched with an appreciation for the wide-open possibilities of the chordless trio, a deep appreciation of the tradition alongside a fearless appetite for exploration, a commitment to the timeless values of melody and swing mixed with a willingness to take risks - all underpinned with a mission to make the music communicate directly to the listener. Spike's time as house drummer at Ronnie Scott's backing many American stars, his tours with Stan Getz and Roland Kirk, together with his years in the seminal British bands of Tubby Hayes, Ronnie Scott, Peter King and Bobby Wellins, give the band deep roots. His fearlessly forward-looking commitment to freedom and swing meet Riley’s contemporary chops and devotion to melody and soul, while Eddie’s bass acts as anchor, providing the centre around which the musical conversation is free to dance at will. Their debut album QOW TRIO was released on Ubuntu Music in 2020. It gained excellent reviews in national press, and extensive radio play and Spotify playlisting, and they’ve spent the intervening time with tours, festival appearances and club dates. The band have grown and developed as a unit: the levels of interplay and empathy are stronger than ever: their second album The Hold Up was released in 2023 and described by BBC Music Magazine as ‘a stunning achievement’. The new release ‘The Rule Of Three’ is due out on Whirlwind Records in January 2026 - also the occasion of Spike’s 80th birthday and a remarkable 60 year career at the forefront of jazz. It marks another leap forward for the band, incorporating fresh original compositions and expanding further out into freedom.
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FIERY INTERNATIONAL COLLABORATION
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Experimental Scottish Folk Duo
Norman Willmore and Corrie Dick
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Birmingham Jazz Orchestra play the music of critically acclaimed composer Olivia Murphy.
"outstanding … fresh, original contemporary music that certainly deserves to be given a much wider audience"
Jazzwise
Olivia Murphy has quickly established herself as an innovative, creative and colourful artist working in large ensemble composition and has developed her own distinct and personal voice. Her music fuses contemporary composition and song-writing with elements of free improvisation, while always keeping story-telling at its core, hailed as “some of the most exciting large ensemble jazz emerging from the London scene today” (UK Jazz News).
Since being awarded the prestigious Peter Whittingham Jazz Development Award in 2021, Murphy has established and performed with her Jazz Orchestra across the UK, from Birmingham Symphony Hall, to Vortex Jazz Club (London) to Cheltenham Jazz Festival. The Orchestra recorded their debut studio album with support from the Help Musicians’ Next Level Award in 2024. The album (expected release in early 2026) features Murphy’s 4-piece Sister Suite and her Eddie Harvey Award-winning arrangement of You Are There.
In March 2025, Murphy premiered Open World Suite, a fifty-minute, eight-movement jazz orchestra saga inspired by world-building in video games, performed by her jazz orchestra at a sold-out Pizza Express Jazz Club (London). Murphy swiftly followed this in May 2025 with Siren Cycle, a sixty-minute, ten-movement suite, inspired by folklore and Greek myth. The work followed an original long form poem also penned by Murphy, which featured four vocalists, strings, woodwinds, brass and rhythm section. Siren Cycle was commissioned by Tony Dudley-Evans for the Cheltenham Jazz Festival, and was celebrated as “an undoubted triumph” (The Jazz Mann) and “A wildly ambitious odyssey… no more impressive event over the whole weekend” (UK Jazz News). Murphy hopes to record both of these ambitious large ensemble works with her Orchestra over the next year.
In 2024, Olivia became a Resident Musical Director for the National Youth Jazz Orchestra, following a successful period as composer-in-residence in 2020-22. As resident MD, she leads weekly rehearsals, mentors young musicians and conducts national performances with the flagship Emerging Professional Band.
Olivia is regularly commissioned and in 2022 was honoured to be invited by the Royal Birmingham Conservatoire to re-arrange the Mike Gibbs' piece The Time Has Come to celebrate the legendary and influential composer's 85th birthday. She has also been commissioned by the ABRSM (2024), Sonorite Saxophone Quartet (2023), University of Birmingham (2021), and Around The Houses Festival (2021).
Olivia loves to be collaborative and diverse in her compositional work, from her 2024 piece Europa, written for GOKUMI large ensemble and improvising vocal chorus, to her commissioned solo vibraphone work (for percussionist Gloria Yehilevsky), to lyrical song-writing for her award-winning Moonrise Trio (clarinet, voice and piano).
LINEUP Q4 2025 / OCTOBER / NOVEMBER / DECEMBER /
LINEUP Q4 2025 / OCTOBER / NOVEMBER / DECEMBER /
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Nick Costley-White is one of the most in-demand jazz guitarists in the UK. Renowned for a deep understanding of the jazz tradition, he combines his virtuoso technique with a uniquely distinctive style of improvisation. Costley-White has performed with many of the UK’s mostcelebrated musicians, and played to audiences across Europe, Asia and Australia.
‘Poncha’ is Costley-White’s highly-anticipated third album; a deeply personal collection of seven original compositions named after the Portuguese drink ‘punch’.
Using a heady brew of cultural influences, his music skilfully blends dance rhythms and playful melodies from Brazil and Cuba with the harmony and swing of American jazz. Within the tunes lie a melodic and highly rhythmic approach to composition, inspired by his travels to South America, which his quartet interprets with style, flair and energy. ‘Poncha’ is set to release on 28th February 2025 on Ubuntu Music.
Nick’s journey in writing ‘Poncha’ has been a deeply personal one, with several compositions dating back several years - each one documenting a moment in his own life - experiences both good and bad.
Reflecting on the set back to performing life that musicians felt during the pandemic, the prospect of venturing back into performing and travelling, collaborating with new musicians, integrating new sounds and relationships; all these experiences and more are felt in both the compositions and the playing.
Though the journey may not always be sweet, the outlook is highly optimistic.
Playing alongside Nick are three of the most sought-after musicians in Europe: Saxophonist Tom Barford, as well as drummer James Maddren and bassist Conor Chaplin.
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Described by The Guardian as eclectic, eccentric and unobtrusively erudite, The W is a newly established London-based contemporary jazz quartet of outstanding musicality creating chamber jazz that is as exciting and inventive, as it is elegant and sophisticated. As vocalist for the Cinematic Orchestra for over 15 years and the go-to vocalist for acts such as Thundercat and Soweto Kinch, Heidi Vogel has long been a critics choice for her extraordinary voice and velvet tone. Her sublime vocals bring a contemporary, stylish sound to The W. On drums is London-based New Yorker Gene Calderazzo, a leading figure on the international jazz scene whose vast portfolio includes performances with Pharoah Sanders, Radiohead and Freddie Hubbard to name a few. On double bass is Italian Andrea Di Biase who has performed with many leading figures in British jazz such as Stan Sultzman, Norma Winstone and Kenny Wheeler. The group is led by composer and improvising pianist, Bruno Heinen, who has worked with the likes of Shabaka Hutchings, ESKA, and the London Symphony Orchestra. The Independent describes him as a consistently intelligent linking voice, a fair summation of the way in which he brings these unique musicians together through his original compositions. Like the four equal lines that make up the letter ‘W’, the four members of the group come together as one to create a perfectly balanced and compelling new sound. They are a band in the true sense of the word. They meet regularly, learning the music by heart and shaping Bruno’s distinctive compositions together.
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Rebecca Wing is a saxophonist, vocalist, and composer based in London. Since graduating from the Royal Birmingham Conservatoire where she was mentored by world-class musicians such as Sara Colman, Mike Williams, and Rebecca Nash, she has continued to develop her project “HERITAGE” expanding the score to big band and recording her debut album that will be released in 2026.
Ever since her arrival to Birmingham in 2020, Rebecca has been an active member of the Birmingham jazz scene, hosting jams and playing gigs in and around Birmingham and London with her own quartet, playing gigs in venues such as The Spotted Dog, Symphony Hall, The Warehouse Café, and supporting mentor Rebecca Nash at the EFG London Jazz Festival 2023.
In addition to HERITAGE, Rebecca has formed a new band “Ephemera” with fellow musician Vato Klemera, following their original project “Songs from Home”, Ephemera have embarked on a new project exploring free-flowing songwriting, bridging ethereal jazz improvisation with granular and tape-emulated looping, adapting and exploring new electronic sounds alongside reflective spoken word.
Debuting at Digbeth Jazz on Tuesday 21st October HERITAGE Jazz Orchestra, led by Rebecca Wing and David Bustos, presents Rebecca’s original suite (debuted at Centrala March 2024) expanded for Jazz Orchestra. Through music, visuals and improvisation Rebecca invites you to immerse yourself in a night of “HERITAGE”. Drawing inspiration from her childhood memories at her grandparents’ house and its surroundings in the Suffolk countryside, this suite of original music will take you through a journey of memory and understanding of what makes us whole.
Woven together with visuals, filmed and edited by Rebecca, this experience is a reflection on the formative years of her life spent visiting her grandparents’ home and how in their unwavering love and support inspired and moulded her into the young creative she is today. -
This international collaboration aims to seamlessly blend traditional jazz with contemporary flair, bringing together pianist Joe Webb, drummer Francesco Ciniglio, saxophonist Alec Harper, and bassist Will Sach. Original compositions inspired by Jelly Roll Morton, Thelonious Monk, Art Tatum, and even Oasis.
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UK guitarist Steve Saunders (Xhosa Cole, Paul Dunmall) and Berlin-based saxophonist Asger Nissen present arche (ar-kay), a bass-less trio featuring legendary New York jazz drummer Jeff Williams. Arche have worked throughout the UK and Europe at venues ranging from the prestigious Birmingham Symphony Hall Stage to Donau115 in Berlin, where Asger and Steve worked with rising German drummer Marius Wankel. The group perform original compositions collaboratively composed by Asger and Steve, exploring contemporary music techniques within an open, improvisatory framework. The result is an original, unified language in which compositions and improvisations blend seamlessly together, demonstrating diverse influences from classical figures such as Pierre Boulez, Elliott Carter and serialists Morton Feldman and Milton Babbitt, all whilst drawing upon the depth of the jazz and improvised music tradition.
An open instrumentation set forth by the great Paul Motian, the group provides a contrasting and contemporary take on this unique ensemble configuration whilst keeping in tradition with its legacy. -
Sam Eastmond plays the music of legendary Downtown composer and alchemist John Zorn.
For the last decade Eastmond has been Zorn’s go-to large ensemble arranger for his recording projects, Eastmond has arranged and recorded critically albums in Zorn’s MASADA Book Two, MASADA Book Three, and the Bagatelles series, the only artist to have done so in all three, and the only UK artist in any of these series.
Zorn composed hisBook of Bagatelles– 300 new tunes, each generally consisting of 3-line melodies – as constructs from which musicians can explore and present vast, free ranges of possibility, lines of thought, complexity, juxtapositions, and extensions.
Through Eastmond’s expansive and highly sophisticated poly- stylistic arrangements that draw from a rich palette of jazz and European improv, avant-rock, and modern classical traditions, Eastmond imaginatively takes Big Band music to unheard places. These pieces are launchpads for a joyful transcendence.
Eastmond’s Big Band more than rises to the challenge posed by these selectedBagatelles. Arranged for 12 musicians, the ensemble features some of Europe’s most celebrated creative musicians and improvisors alongside young rising stars of the UK scene. Across the work, there’s the sense of choreography and the speed with which the players interact and slip in and out of the spotlight, the precision with which they follow the demands of Eastmond’s arrangement and directions, the blurred virtuosic handling of improvised and written material, the way they switch moods and tones, from the ferocious to the mellifluous, is astounding.
“...what they made was a wonderful, innovative music - something that could at any time evoke the power ofMingus' big band, the swoon of Ellingtonian orchestration, the witty non-sequiturs of Sun Ra, the cartoonishirreverence of Spike Jones or the urgent thrash of Zorn's Simulacrum.”
Tony Benjamin, Jazzwiselive review at Cafe Oto.
“..a stunning big band interpretation ofThe Bagatelles. Brilliantly arranged by Sam Eastmond (Spike Orchestra)this is one of the most exhilarating instillments in the series. Sam outdoes himself here with a set of expansive arrangements that touch on jazz, rock, classical, sound-tracks and more. Spine-tingling music from one of the most creative ensembles in the world.”
John Zorn
Conductor & Arranger - Sam Eastmond
Saxophones - Chris Williams, Asha Parkinson, George Garford, Mick Foster
Trumpets - Noel Langley, Charlotte Keeffe
Trombone - Joel Knee
Tuba - Tom Briers
Guitar - Moss Freed
Piano - Olly Chalk
Bass/Toys/Gong - Fergus Quill
Drums - Alasdair Pennington
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Leading UK guitarist Ant is “a game changer” and “an innovator” according to The Guardian. His night album ‘Unified Theories’ was released in June 2025, preceded by ‘Ensconced’ in collaboration with Milan-born British/Turkish singer Brigitte Beraha in August 2024. In 2013 his debut 'Entanglement' was released, followed by 'Zero Sum World' (2015), 'Life I Know' (2018), ‘The Sleeper Wakes’ (2020). Ant is the “L” in Trio HLK who record/tour with Evelyn Glennie. His releases have been awarded 9/10 reviews in guitar magazines which feature him frequently. He was included in a list of “10 Astounding Virtuosos”, and a recent issue of Guitar Techniques features a 2-page spread on Ant.
London-born saxophonist Alex Hitchcock is one of the UK’s most virtuosic young musicians. His 2020 release 'AuB' (Edition) was described as ‘ready to make cataclysmic waves’ Jazzwise. His debut (Fresh Sound - home to debuts by Ambrose Akinmusire/Avishai Cohen) was described by All About Jazz as having 'stratospheric trajectory’. His burgeoning international reputation was confirmed by a major prize at Umbria Jazz Festival and tours in Poland, Spain, Italy, Hungary, performances at Love Supreme Festival, Royal Albert Hall and Ronnie Scott’s.
Acclaimed as composers as well as instrumentalists, sharing multiple awards, an Ivor Novello nomination and seven albums as leaders between them, Hitchcock and Law have created a startlingly vivid and mature soundworld, brought to life by a carefully-curated selection of the world’s most distinctive and virtuosic improvisors.
This band takes its name from a line in Japanese author Haruki Murakami’s 1999 novel Sputnik Sweetheart: “we’re both looking at the same moon in the same world. We’re connected to reality by the same line.” -
Born in London in 1969 to St Lucian parents, Denys began studying music at 13 and trained at Brunel University and the Guildhall School of Music under Jean Toussaint. A standout in the London jazz scene, he was discovered by Gary Crosby and joined Nu Troop, quickly rising as a respected soloist and bandleader. Known for his powerful technique and genre-blending improvisation, Denys delivers performances full of energy and virtuosity. Hailed by Time as “the icon of British jazz,” he has collaborated with top artists across genres and is also an acclaimed composer and arranger with a distinctive, modern sound.
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Defined as “Chance, especially when it results in something good” – the name “Happenstance” points to both the origins and approach of this new European four-piece.
Having discovered an instant connection during a chance jam session towards the end of 2021, the group continued to meet, play, and develop their sound almost every day for the following 6 months. The mutual trust that resulted from this period is essential to their concept of finding freedom and taking risks whenever they play.
Initially united by their love for the music of Wayne Shorter and The Beatles, they carefully assembled a repertoire encompassing their favourite composers in addition to jazz standards and compositions by each band member. They were lucky enough to workshop and refine their music with Mark Turner, Larry Grenadier and Ambrose Akinmusire amongst others, whilst studying at the prestigious Jazzcampus in Basel and have enjoyed a great reception on their premiere U.K. tour in 2023, as well as their 2024 French tour which included an evening set at Jazz en Place - a renowned festival in Dinan.
Happenstance brings together four distinct voices in European jazz, each flavoured by their home nations of France, Spain, Czech Republic, and the U.K. respectively -
The biggest night of the DIGBETH JAZZ year! Come celebrate the festive season with us here at Digbeth Jazz featuring our STACKED Digbeth Jazz Big Band for the final gig of the year! This gig is our FESTIVE FUNDRAISER - with your support we can continue to grow and put on another year of world class music! Featuring all your favourite Xmas Bangers and a whole bunch of new arrangements. Mirth & Merriment guaranteed!
LINEUP Q3 2025 / JULY / AUGUST / SEPTEMBER /
LINEUP Q3 2025 / JULY / AUGUST / SEPTEMBER /
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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
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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
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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).
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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.
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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.
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Rising Piano star Tom Ward brings his debut album to Digbeth Jazz
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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)
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BIG BRASS BBQ (LINEUP TBA)
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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
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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.
LINEUP Q2 2025 / APRIL / MAY / JUNE /
LINEUP Q2 2025 / APRIL / MAY / JUNE /
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Named after a Jean-Michel Basquiat painting and inspired by the artists multi-faceted stylistic approach - known for its raw, expressive, and dynamic qualities, blending street art with neo-expressionism to create bold, thought-provoking work. The Exu make layered, intense, creative & beautiful, thought provoking, genre fluid improvised music.
The trio brazenly draw their musical influences from the worlds of free jazz, grunge, death metal, hip hop, bebop, & experimental music. Kane says ‘we are the sum of our record collections, the films we have seen, the books we have read. It all goes into the mix to make our music.’
Kane & Mainwaring share the compositional duties while young Norwegian drummer Emil Karlsen brings versatile, intricate textures and groove. Mainwaring (of Mercury Prize-nominated Roller Trio) blends fiery and sensitive saxophone approaches with playful edge, while double bassist Dave Kane ignites each performance with cathartic, heartfelt energy that lingers long after the final note.James Mainwaring - Saxophones
Dave Kane - Double Bass
Emil Karlsen - Drums -
Alto saxophonist and composer Alice Leggett brings her highly anticipated debut album, Birdsong, to the UK. Originally from Cardiff and now based in Amsterdam, Alice is a rising star in the European jazz scene. An active performer at venues like the Bimhuis, she collaborates with leading Netherlands based musicians including, Teis Semey, Chaerin Im, and Tijs Klaassen.
Previously based in London, Alice performed regularly with The Calum Gourlay Big Band, Mark Lockheart's Days on Earth, and her own quartet featuring Rick Simpson, Calum Gourlay and Will Glaser. She has appeared at iconic UK stages such as Ronnie Scotts and The Southbank Centre, earning recognition from JazzWise magazine as 'One to Watch' in 2020.
Birdsong captures Alice’s journey across Cardiff, London, New York, and Amsterdam, reflecting on belonging, community, and life’s unpredictable beauty. The album features her quartet—Chaerin Im (piano), Tijs Klaassen (bass), Wouter Kühne (drums)—alongside special guests Alex Hitchcock (tenor saxophone) and Alistair Payne (trumpet). Recorded at Fattoria Musica Studios and released on ZenneZ Records, Birdsong showcases Alice’s lyrical compositions, rich storytelling, and vibrant improvisation. -
'With a technical fluidity on his instrument, and strong connection to various forms of improvised music, James has built a reputation as one of the most in demand bassists in the country, drawing on his many influences to develop a sound that is stylish, virtuosic and captivating. “His tone big and resonant, his time keeping immaculate and his solos highly dexterous and consistently engaging” (The Jazz Mann). His extensive performance CV shows collaborations with notable artists such as Paul Dunmall, Jay Phelps, Mark Lockett, Neil Yates, Roger Manins, Xhosa Cole, Alex Clarke, Greg Abate, and many more.
With firm roots in bebop and the jazz tradition, James is heavily influenced by Ray Brown, Charles Mingus, Oscar Pettiford, Charlie Haden, and other pioneering bassists, as well as current greats including Larry Grenadier and Robert Landferman. He draws inspiration from modern and contemporary music, as well as his experience on the free improv scene, in his approach to improvising and writing music. In 2018, James was a finalist in the BBC Young Jazz Musician Award, performing at the Queen-Elizabeth Hall with Gwilym Simcock and Asaf Sirkis.
The past 2-3 years have seen James step forward as a band leader, composing for a variety of ensembles. After touring with his trio in Autumn 2023, he started focusing on his quartet for which he wrote the suite of music ‘Songs from an Imaginary Childhood’. This music was a commission from the Jazz Central Mentorship Programme and features Alex Western-King (Saxophone), Nick Manz (Piano) and Matthew Holmes (Drums). The compositions took inspiration from the juxtaposition of seeing the world from a child’s perspective and that of an adult’s, focusing on specific examples personal to James. This music was recorded in 2024 and is set to be released as James’s first record as a leader in 2025.'
Bass - James Owston
Sax - Alex Western-King
Piano - Nick Manz
Drums - Matthew Holmes -
Khachapuri – a Georgian dish of baked bread with cheese inside, a household staple often served at a Supra (party or feast).
Vato Klemera’s Khachapuri is a celebration of Georgian folk and film music, colliding songs from his childhood with raucous improvisation, original compositions, and jazz-as-boundary-pushing. You are cordially invited to the Supra, come raise your glasses to long life, health, and happiness!Vato Klemera – Piano + compositions
Harry Brown – Alto Saxophone
Sam Freshwater – Tenor/Soprano Saxophone
Dave Sear – Trombone
Amy Coates – Double Bass
Andrew Duncan – Drums -
Trombonist Dave Sear brings his sextet to Digbeth Jazz
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Tomorrow's New Quartet is quickly gaining a reputation as one of the most exciting jazz bands emerging from the British scene. Taking inspiration from Chick Corea's 'Return To Forever' and Keith Jarrett's 'European Quartet', Tomorrow's New Quartet has been thrilling audiences all over the country with its engaging brand of modern jazz. Led by drummer / composer Rod Oughton, the band released its debut album 'All Together, Now!' on the Ubuntu Music label in 2022. Following a successful launch tour, which culminated in a sold-out show at Pizza Express Dean Street, the album was named 'Editor's Choice' by Jazzwise Magazine, and dubbed 'very fresh' by Jumoké Fashola on BBC Radio 3. The band features several young heavyweights from the next generation of British jazz, namely Tom Smith on Sax, Sam Watts on piano and Flo Moore on electric bass.
"A terrific performance from a hugely talented quartet" The Jazz Mann; "A quartet for today as well as tomorrow" Jazzwise
Rod Oughton - Drums, Vocals
Tom Smith - Sax
Sam Watts - Piano
Flo Moore - Bass -
A dynamic, compact version of Billy Marrows' critically acclaimed 12-piece chamber-jazz ensemble, the Grande Família Sextet features a powerful combination of three horns, guitar and an explosive rhythm section.
This gig is the final date of Grande Família's spring 2025 tour, celebrating the release of their second album 'The Penelope Album Live', out on Discus Music on 28th March. The record captures their emotionally charged 2024 performance at Pizza Express Jazz Club in London, which sold out two months in advance and received a full standing ovation.
Grande Família was formed to record Billy's debut album, ‘Penelope', as a surprise for his mum during her struggle with pancreatic cancer. Released in her memory in early 2024, it has raised over £5,400 for World Child Cancer. This gig will also feature lots of new music, inspired by the likes of Weather Report, Gil Evans and Loose Tubes.
Billy Marrows is an award-winning guitarist and composer, receiving both the small and large ensemble categories of the Dankworth Prize for Jazz Composition. An alumnus of the Royal Academy of Music, he also studied on the Metropole Orkest Arrangers Workshop with Vince Mendoza. The Grande Família Sextet features highly creative outstanding musicians who have worked with artists such as Mark Lockheart, Chelsea Carmichael, Ben van Gelder Corey Wong and Jordan Rakei.
Grande Família Sextet’s recent EP,’ Mount Tibidabo’ received ★★★★ Jazzwise, praising Marrows for playing “with such lyrical melodicism...you can't help but be seduced into his charmed word”.
“A triumph...Marrows has created a spectacular new ensemble” Jazz Views
“An exhilaratingly original sound, at once intimate and expansive” ★★★★ Editor's Choice, Jazzwise (Penelope album)
“Melodic and distinctive” ★★★★ All About JazzMIKE SOPER trumpet
TOM RIDOUT soprano/tenor saxophone/recorder
OLLI MARTIN trombone/bass trombone
BILLY MARROWS guitar
FLO MOORE electric bass
ROD OUGHTON drums
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James and Lewis Borland combine fraternal forces to form BORLAND BROS.
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Matt Cook is a London based Tenor Saxophonist that has been described in JazzJournal Magazine as ‘Spectacular’ as well as likened to maestro saxophonists such as Wayne Shorter (London Jazz News 2020) and Mark Turner (Marlbank 2024).
Matt established his quintet whilst at The Royal Academy of Music in London combining some of the most creative young musicians on the London Jazz Scene. ‘I wanted to bring four very different musical voices together that could each bring their own style and flair to the music.’
Matt’s eclectic compositional influences range from modern jazz contemporaries such as Immanuel Wilkins and Ambrose Akinmusire, to older pioneers such as John Coltrane and Joe Henderson. He is not afraid to bypass genre, with flavours from 20th Century classical composers like Messiaen and Ravel and even nods to alternative rock bands such as Radiohead. Repetition is a key part of Matt’s compositions, a technique he draws from spiritual jazz, creating meditative and transcendent moments.
Expect memorable melodies, expansive improvisations and deeply moving harmonic progressions.
‘A Boundary Pushing Saxophonist’ – Camden New Journal
‘Spectacular contributions from Matt Cook on tenor’-JazzJournal
‘Two sets of Cook’s very strong originals went over very well and further mark this talented pool of musicians as ones to watch!’ – London Jazz Guitar Society
‘Wonderfully understated playing' - JazzwiseMatt Cook - Tenor Sax
Karim Saber - Guitar
Reuben Goldmark - Piano
John Jones - Bass
Kai MacRae - Drums -
Composer and Arranger Ed Puddick brings his Brum Big Band to Digbeth Jazz
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Sixways incorporates elements of small and large-ensemble jazz and combines forward-thinking composition in the mould of Kenny Wheeler, Maria Schneider and John Hollenbeck, free improvisation, and elements from other music beyond jazz such as Radiohead and Adrienne Lenker (Big Thief).
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Young drummer on the move brings his Debut Album band to Digbeth Jazz as part of their Album Tour
- Rasmus Sørensen DK, Piano
- Nico Klöffer DE, Double Bass
- Josh Short UK, Trumpet
- Finn Genockey UK, Drums and Compositions -
TDE Promotions collaborates with Digbeth Jazz to bring you Liam Noble.