The Watford Jazz Junction Festival runs 10-18 May 2025 and is on sale now!

Details below come directly from their superb event organisers:

More about this year’s programme
 
As always, we’re promoting diversity through inclusion, and we’ve created a programme for all tastes blending established professionals with more opportunities than ever to hear up and coming talent across jazz, soul & blues.
 
For soul enthusiasts our Gala Night at the Palace Theatre presents a rare treat to hear one of the UK’s greatest voices with Vanessa Haynes of Incognito. It’s an unabashed tour-de-force to hear Vanessa sing the songs of Aretha Franklin with consummate style, majesty and depth. Joining in support will be local musician Harry T Pope, who we’re thrilled to present on our largest stage with his 7-piece funk & soul band, with wrap-around foyer DJ sets from One Jazz.
 
With singers in mind, we’re delighted that we’ll be joined by bona-fide member of UK jazz royalty, Elaine Delmar for our intimate Jazz Brunch, hosted by our own jazz queen Ruth Fisher. Elaine has been an in-demand professional for decades and we can’t wait to hear her sing and share tales from her story-book.
 
We’ve then taken over the Pump House for a week running 12-17 May. During our residency we’re presenting some seriously top-draw musicians.
 
We kick off with a double-bill featuring visiting US-based bassist & singer Janet Evra, followed by the Ilario Ferrari Trio, who need no introduction to jazz fans in Watford. A melodic and enchanting show to start the week.


 
Grammy-winner and Chick Corea sax-sideman Tim Garland returns after his Gala Performance for us in 2022, alongside NYJO, with a mouth-watering duet show alongside pianist Gwilym Simcock. In support will be the Worshipful Company of Musicians’ Tina May Award 2024 winner, Nico Widdowson. Anyone who saw Nico playing the keys with Fergus Quill last year will already know what a night this will be.
 
As the weekend approaches, we hand over the reins to trumpet supremo, Mark Kavuma. We first heard Mark here in Watford with Sultan Stevenson and the time is well overdue to present a standalone show for him as he brings with him one of London’s hottest quartets. In support will be rising-star pianist Oscar Lyons, whose own quartet features BBC Young Jazz Musician 2024 finalist, saxophonist George Johnson.
 
Friday night has developed a definite party vibe in recent years at the WJJ, so we’re embracing it with our first out and out blues night featuring Errol Linton. Errol is feted in the world of blues, including by friend of the festival Cerys Matthews and as three-time winner of the UK Blues Harmonica Player of the Year. Music journalist Garth Cartwright simply says of them, ‘The finest live band in Britain.’ Bam.
 
With another first on Saturday, you will definitely want to join us for Invented Folklore, a hyper-creative one-off show developed for us and led by violinist and singer Alice Zawadksi. Alice is a very special talent and the band she’s pulling together (including Xhosa Cole and Go Go Penguin’s Jon Scott) promises a musical treat of mythical depths! And in support will be Petra Haller, a dance jazz improviser who’ll be presenting our first official dance performance.
 
As always, all of our ticketed shows, from £20 to £40 (incl. brunch), remain greatly subsidised, giving us all the chance to experience a range of superb musicians across a range of styles, here in Watford. 🙂
 
And then it’s Jazz Steps, with all sorts for all sorts! You’ll be able to hear loads of fabulous live music from old school big bands to nu-skool(!) small bands, across hidden corners and awesome pop-up spaces on Oxhey Village. It’s an afternoon you’ll not want to miss!

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