Durham Jazz Festival runs from Friday, 23rd to Sunday, 25th October. Expect a vibrant programme which will bring multiple Durham City venues alive with the sounds of renowned jazz artists.
Durham Jazz Festival 2026 takes place from Friday 23rd to Sunday 25th October, filling venues across Durham with melody, rhythm and improvisation. Across three days, the festival celebrates the music and performance of North East and national jazz artists, bringing together established names and the next generation talent shaping the scene.
Our programme is designed to appeal to all music lovers, celebrating the greats of jazz and soul, whilst also showcasing exciting new music across a broad spectrum of musical styles.
The programme spans intimate club-style shows, bold headline performances at Gala Theatre and Redhills Durham Miner’s Hall, as well as pop-up gigs in bars and restaurants. Carefully scheduled events make it easy to move between venues, catch multiple shows, and take advantage of multi-show discounts.
Alongside live performances, the festival supports learning, collaboration and discovery through workshops and masterclasses connecting emerging musicians with established professionals. With an inclusive, forward-looking programme and growing partnerships across the city, Durham Jazz Festival is staking its place as a key fixture in Durham’s cultural calendar and the national jazz landscape.
The Ronnie Scott’s All Stars are the ‘house’ band at Ronnie Scott’s and have been playing at the club since 2007. Now, they’re heading to Durham. The quintet features a vocalist and a saxophonist alongside a trio comprising of Piano, Bass and Drums. The Ronnie Scott’s All Stars play regularly at the famous club and tour the UK with their Theatre shows. They also appear on the international stage in festivals and ‘Pop Up’ clubs, sometimes on their own or as a ‘backing’ band for stars such as Rick Astley, Curtis Stigers, Gabrielle, Lisa Stansfield, Vanessa Haynes, Clare Martin and Ian Shaw.
Award-winning Durham photographer John Lyons brings his acclaimed exhibition The Space Between the Notes to the Durham Jazz Festival Gallery. The exhibition held at the Gallery, at 25 High Street, Prince Bishops Centre, will run from 22nd May to 25th October – and is free to attend. Specialising in live music and portrait photography, John has captured performances at iconic venues including Birdland and Blue Note in New York. His style focuses on the emotion, intimacy and energy behind the music rather than simply documenting a performance. His work has been exhibited across the UK, and in 2022 he won the Live Music category at the inaugural Abbey Road Music Photography Awards for his image of jazz drummer David Mrakpor. John’s collection features musicians captured ‘in the moment’ at renowned venues and festivals, including The Jazz Café in London, The Spotted Cat in New Orleans and Love Supreme Festival, alongside portraits of jazz legends such as Ron Carter and Billy Cobham. The exhibition has also been updated to include several artists performing at this year’s Durham Jazz Festival.
Vintage swing meets Gypsy jazz in a high energy celebration of Django Reinhardt and Stéphane Grappelli. Expect dazzling violin, driving rhythm and irresistible 1930s Parisian flair.
Maja Bugge blends jazz, improvisation and contemporary composition in atmospheric and deeply personal performances alongside acclaimed pianist Dave Evans.
World class musicians from London’s iconic jazz club bring the sound of Soho to Durham. Expect big tunes, virtuoso solos and the unmistakable buzz of a true jazz institution.
SwanNek are a Newcastle-based contemporary jazz collective creating bold, emotionally charged music that blends jazz with a wide range of modern influences.
Jo Harrop brings an intimate and deeply expressive performance blending timeless standards with music from her critically acclaimed albums, alongside guitarist Jamie McCredie and pianist Paul Edis.
Seb Rochford is one of the most inventive figures in contemporary British jazz, bringing his powerful new project Finding Ways to Durham Jazz Festival with a bold blend of experimental grooves and raw improvisation.
Vasilis Xenopoulos and Paul Edis reunite with a world-class quartet performance blending lyrical interplay, virtuoso musicianship and deep roots in the jazz tradition.
The Pete Roth Trio brings together guitarist Pete Roth, bassist Mike Pratt and legendary drummer Bill Bruford for an adventurous and deeply interactive blend of jazz, improvisation and contemporary influences.
Durham University Jazz Society presents its annual Evening of Standards, showcasing some of the university’s finest young jazz musicians performing classic jazz favourites in an intimate live setting.
Rivkala blends jazz, soul, funk and klezmer into a theatrical cabaret experience filled with sharp wit, powerful vocals and infectious energy.
Eleonora Kouneni is a London-based jazz vocalist and songwriter whose emotive style blends original music with fresh interpretations of timeless jazz standards.
A thrilling meeting of velvet vocals and full throttle big band swing. Expect classic crooner charm, punchy brass and a show packed with timeless standards.
Knats are a Newcastle-born quintet blending sophisticated arrangements, strong melodies and groove-driven modern jazz, earning acclaim through sold out shows and a critically praised debut album.
Kind of Blu Jazz Jam brings the festival day to a close with a relaxed late-night jam session celebrating spontaneity, collaboration and the joy of live jazz. Free entry, pay as you feel.
Bold, modern jazz led by one of the North East’s most exciting pianists. Expect soaring improvisation, tight interplay and fresh, contemporary energy.
These highly established players deliver top-drawer performance, with deep roots in improvisation, and extraordinarily high-quality musicianship that will be a surprise to no one who knows the work of these artists as individuals.
Tom Atkinson’s Electric Miles celebrates the centenary of Miles Davis with a powerful tribute to his groundbreaking electric jazz era, revisiting music from the iconic Tribute to Jack Johnson and beyond.
As part of Durham Jazz Festival, Andy and Joo-Lee bring a fun and welcoming Lindy Hop session for all abilities, with swing music, social dancing and plenty of vintage jazz spirit.
Marvin Muoneké is one of the UK’s rising jazz stars, known for his rich, smooth vocals and charismatic stage presence. Blending the timeless sounds of classic jazz with modern energy, Marvin brings elegance, storytelling and big band spirit to every performance.
Janette Mason brings her acclaimed trio project ReWired to Durham Jazz Festival, reimagining classic and contemporary songs through bold, inventive jazz arrangements full of groove, creativity and energy.
Tom Waits for No Man is a heartfelt celebration of the music of Tom Waits, with vocalist Lindsay Hannon and an acclaimed North East ensemble bringing fresh arrangements, atmosphere and emotion to songs from across his legendary catalogue.
Zoë Gilby and double bassist Andy Champion create a mesmerising duo performance blending bold improvisation with beautifully reimagined songs and intimate musical interplay.
Durham University Jazz Society brings together some of the city’s most exciting young musicians, hosting regular performances, jam sessions and collaborations throughout the academic year.
Durham Jazz Festival and Durham Brass Festival present a vibrant double bill featuring the soulful modern jazz of Olivia Cuttill and the explosive jump, jive and swing of King Pleasure & The Biscuit Boys.
Discover the musicians shaping the sound of Durham Jazz Festival — from celebrated artists and national names to exciting new voices emerging from the North East, all bringing their own style, energy and creativity to the city this October.
Friday
Ronnie Scott's All Stars
Marvin M and Strictly SBB
Saturday
Sunday
Finn Keeble Group
Durham Jazz Festival is made possible with the help of our sponsors and supporters, in particular our headline sponsor Swinburne Maddison LLP – championing culture, creativity and live music in the city. If you’d like more information on how to become a sponsor, please get in touch.
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