Jazz at Buxton International Festival 2026 - full jazz programme announced. | News (original) (raw)
Jazz at Buxton International Festival 2026 - full jazz programme announced.
Tuesday, May 12, 2026
Buxton International Festival will present 19 jazz concerts featuring 21 bands from 9th to 25th July 2026. Press release attached.
Programme co-ordinator Wesley Stephenson writes;
In addition to my work in Newcastle, I was recently appointed as Jazz Director for Buxton International Festival 2026 and tasked with putting together 19 concerts for this years festival.
There’s the big Jazz Weekender at The Palace Hotel that climaxes at Buxton Opera House with Sunday night headliner Courtney Pine, followed by a series of standalone concerts at the Pavilion Arts Centre and Clubhouse.
Absolutely delighted to share this inspired programme with you.
Tickets are ON SALE NOW including Individual events, Day Tickets and Weekender Tickets.
https://buxtonfestival.co.uk/whats-on?_event_cat=jazz&_period=current-upcoming
PRESS RELEASE:
Tickets are now on sale for this years Buxton International Festival including the Jazz programme.
CLICK HERE TO VIEW THE FULL JAZZ SCHEDULE
https://buxtonfestival.co.uk/whats-on?_event_cat=jazz&_period=current-upcoming
“We’re living in an incredible period of history for modern jazz and I’m absolutely delighted to present this programme for BIF 2026. With the greatest love and appreciation we’ve put together a series to reflect how the art-form has fully embraced diversity in so many ways. We’ll see jazz encapsulate wider world music, fusing folk from the Gaels of Scotland with Fergus McCreadie and Fraser Fifield, to the Nordic inspirations of Josephine Davies and Satori. There’s some of the best modern Indo Jazz with Arun Ghosh, but still we keep a foot firmly rooted in the highest quality pure jazz to be heard in legacy acts including Denys Baptiste and Tony Kofi playing Coltrane and Cannonball, or Paul Edis and Noa Levy with Portrait in Evans. Then we’re also of course joined by jazz royalty with the brilliant Darius Brubeck and Courtney Pine. And there’s so much more.
Over 19 concerts featuring 21 bands this is truly a programme that sees Buxton International Festival shine bright on the global jazz stage” - Wesley Stephenson (BIF Jazz Director 2026)
Public Booking: http://www.buxtonfestival.co.uk / Box Office Tel: 01298 72190
Laura Jurd - Rites and Revelations
One of the greatest UK trumpeters and jazz artists of her generation, with a background in classical composition and love of folk traditions, BBC New Generation Artist and Mercury nominee Laura Jurd brings her earth-shattering new band to BIF 2026.
Denys Baptise / Tony Kofi - Quintet (Cannonball / Coltrane)
Two of the UK’s most acclaimed saxophonists, Denys Baptiste and Tony Kofi, reunite for a dynamic project celebrating one of the most iconic front-line partnerships in jazz history: Julian “Cannonball” Adderley and John Coltrane.
Andrew McCormack Trio
With undertones of jazz legends including Wayne Shorter and Thelonious Monk, through dazzling interplay, infectious energy, and moments of true emotional brilliance, Andrew McCormack trio deliver performances that resonate with both devoted jazz fans and new audiences. Zoë Gilby with Andy Champion (The Music of Duke Ellington)
Celebrating Duke Ellington, one of the most prominent musical icons of the 20th century,
Parliamentary Jazz Awards Vocalist Zoë Gilby and innovative double bassist Andy Champion present some of the most ecstatic re-arrangements of the Duke you may ever hear.
Johnny Hunter Trio featuring Nat Birchall (The Music of Elvin Jones)
One of the Norths greatest drummers, Johnny Hunter celebrates the music of the late Elvin Jones, a technical virtuoso within jazz who expanded the role of post-bop drummers, and most famously a member of John Coltrane’s quartet, with whom he recorded from 1960 to 1965 including the iconic A Love Supreme, Ascension and My Favourite Things.
Mario Bakuna Band
Capturing the spirit of Brazilian swing and blending it with refined jazz colours, Mario Bakuna and his musicians celebrate one of the richest musical territories on Earth.
Josephine Davies - Satori Quartet featuring Alcyona Mick
Inspired by Josephine Davies Nordic roots in the Shetland Islands, Satori beautifully weaves together the band’s contemporary jazz background with a hauntingly evocative folk influence.
Noa Levy, Alan Barnes and The Paul Edis Trio (Portrait in Evans)
Performing the original music of Bill Evans with new lyrics, vocal interpretations and original arrangements, award winning pianist Paul Edis is joined by rising star vocalist Noa Levy and celebrated British jazz legend Alan Barnes.
Alina Bhezinska HipHarpCollective Quintet
Ukranian harpist Alina Bhezhinska brings her captivating Alice Coltrane-esque spiritual jazz to Buxton, featuring the exceptional multiple award winning and former jazz warrior Tony Kofi on saxophone.
Darius Brubeck Quartet
The pairing of pianist Darius Brubeck and saxophonist Dave O’Higgins is considered among the best piano/sax partnerships in the UK, joined by jazz royalty for our Saturday night we’ll hear Darius Brubeck’s compositions, South African jazz, and some well-loved Dave Brubeck hits.
Fraser Fifield - Secret Path Trio
Fraser Fifields mesmeric and virtuosic low whistle playing has found critical comparison with none other than the great Charlie Parker! Most often associated with Scottish and Irish traditional music, on The Secret Path the low whistle assumes the role of lead instrument voicing bold, fearlessly searching melodies. A truly unique trio fusing Jazz, Folk, Indian, Balkan and more.
Olivia Moore and Adam Fairhall
Olivia Moore and Adam Fairhall’s duo bring Indian classical music, American folk music, Appalachian folk tunes and contemporary jazz together in a highly individual manner. A superb double bill with Fraser Fifield to kick-start our Sunday sessions.
Arun Ghosh Quintet
Twice winner of Jazz Instrumentalist of the Year, and just back from a world tour with international sitarist Anoushka Shankar, British-Asian musician and composer Arun Ghosh is a leading light on the UK jazz scene, and considered a renowned innovator of modern IndoJazz. His Quintet deliver a passionate sound, driven by soaring melodies, hypnotic rhythms and transcendental textures.
Courtney Pine - A Modern Day Jazz Story
Celebrating four decades at the forefront of British jazz, Courtney Pine returns to the stage in 2026 with a powerful retrospective tour. This special live show brings together key moments from Pine’s remarkable catalogue, and previously unreleased work reimagined with the fire and freedom that have always made his live performances legendary.
Gaz Hughes Trio
Rooted in 1950s bebop, Gaz Hughes Trio blend subtlety and energy to create compelling performances, timeless and refreshingly modern, if you like your music swinging, don’t miss your chance to see one of the UK’s finest jazz acts in action.
The Easy Rollers
The Easy Rollers embody the famed spirit and consummate virtuosity of today’s booming British jazz scene and bring it straight back to the music’s roots in 1920s and ‘30s Harlem, Kansas City and New Orleans. Arising from a love of the tradition, the band marry a conscientious approach to authenticity with their mission of ensuring that this effervescent era of jazz is never presented merely as a nostalgic museum piece.
Fergus McCreadie Trio
With a unique blend of Jazz and Scottish folk that evokes his country’s sublime landscapes, Fergus McCreadie has developed a truly distinct voice in piano writing that is capturing the hearts and minds of audiences worldwide. With chart topping albums and internationally sold out performances don’t miss your chance to catch this mesmerising band at Buxton Pavilion. The most celebrated British pianist of his generation.
Hannah Brine with Bim Williams
Following her previous show for BIF Jazz opening for Rumer, Hannah Brine presents an intimate voice and guitar duo ideal for a late night wind-down at the Old Clubhouse.
Dennis Rollins Velocity Trio with special guest Cameron Pierre With Hammond organ virtuoso Ross Stanley, fiery drummer Joel Barford and special guest Cameron Pierre, this distinctive line-up honours the jazz tradition while pushing it forward, driven by Dennis’s trademark funk & rock sensibility. Songs will be taken from the pending album
‘Contours Of Lyricism - The Beatles Book’ planned for release in early 2027. Not to be missed!
Blind Monk Trio
The Liverpool-based Blind Monk are renowned for their original, quirky sound blending the moods of Coltrane and Led Zeppelin. Part of the great history of classic sax/bass/drums trios (Sonny Rollins / Joe Henderson) bringing their vicious brand of fierce, piano-less Jazz to the music of Thelonious Monk.
Pete Roth Trio featuring Bill Bruford
Legendary drummer and founding member of Yes and King Crimson, Bill Bruford performing alongside the electric Pete Roth Trio, a brilliantly unruly and exhilarating ride into jazz and rock fusion, and a superb climax to the BIF Jazz programme for 2026.
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