While the history of live jazz has undoubtedly been written around famous residencies in smoky basements and performances in grand concert halls, its many festivals have been equally important. 

From those legendary shows in the 1950s at Newport Jazz Festival, Rhode Island, recorded by Columbia and Verve, to Antibes Jazz [now Jazz à Juan] that became a home-away-from-home for American jazz icons in the sixties, through to London Jazz in more recent years, festivals have provided an important platform for both touring and homegrown musicians. 

Here are some of our favourites to add to your calendar. 

Cheltenham Jazz Festival – 30 April – 5 May 

Started in 1995, Cheltenham Jazz has drawn in such big international names as Jackie McLean alongside its UK focus with everyone from Django Bates to Laura Jurd presenting special projects. This year the international line up is stronger than ever with fusion drum icon Billy Cobham and the trio of New York saxophonist James Brandon Lewis among the highlights. As always the young UK scene is also well represented with Nubya Garcia and Joe Armon Jones starting their busy festival schedule here. 

Manchester Jazz Festival – 16-25 May

Back in 1995, saxophonists Matt Nickson and Phred Farret – who went on to  form Matt & Phred’s Jazz Club – and a collective of musicians gathered to plan the first Manchester Jazz Festival. What began as a one day festival has grown into a 10 day event featuring local, national and international artists at a selection of venues including Matt & Phreds. Highlights of the 30th anniversary include the spiritual jazz of ganavya and a celebration of Alice Coltrane featuring Alina Bzhezhinska’s HipHarp, and special guest Brian Jackson. 

Leeds Jazz Festival – 22 – 27 May 

There’s been quite a buzz on jazz in Leeds of late – thanks largely to folk jazzers Awen Ensemble. They make their first appearance in their hometown since their breakthrough album of 2024 “Cadair Idris”. This year’s festival also shines a light on homegrown acts bubbling under like Nova.Sol, Romy Taylor and Brudenell. Their club conscious jazz is celebrated in a night curated by DJ Lubi who has kept the flame of jazz dance burning in the city since the ‘90s. Other things to catch include Sultan Stevenson and Camilla George, currently making waves on the London scene.  Also check the events at the Japanese style Kissa bar.

Glasgow Jazz Festival – 18-22 June

Glasgow’s Jazz Festival – the city’s longest running festival – is now in its 39th year and has played host to some true superstars: Miles Davis, Sarah Vaughan, Dizzy Gillespie and Oscar Peterson are just a few of the headliners of the past. Today, Scotland’s jazz scene is stronger than ever, and home grown talent such as Matt Carmichael and Tommy Smith share the bill with international names such as Santana, Brian Jackson and Jon Cleary.

Love Supreme Jazz Festival – 4-6 July 

There’s as much soul and R&B as jazz at this East Sussex festival these days but alongside Smokey Robinson and Thee Sacred Souls are Glasgow Mercury nominees corto.alto, plus giants like Branford Marsalis and Stanley Clarke.

For some of the most interesting sounds we suggest the late Jazz in the Round programme curated by Jez Nelson and Chris Phillips and the New Generation Jazz tent where the best of young South Coast talent can be found. 

Brecon Jazz – 8-10 August 

Brecon Jazz Festival was founded in 1984 by a small collective of jazz musicians, fans and promoters. With its strong grass roots focus and mix of global names and rising stars, the festival is spread across various venues every August. This year’s highlights include Sultan Stevenson, Soweto Kinch, Cleveland Watkiss and Saskia Laroo with a Miles Davis tribute. The festival is set right next to the Brecon Beacons National Park making a Welsh holiday add on very tempting. 

We Out Here – 14-17th August 

When Gilles Peterson founded the We Out Here festival in 2019 it was to celebrate the U.K.’s DIY club culture and its intersection with jazz. While the young UK scene is still an integral part of WoH, held in the beautiful grounds of Wimborne St Giles, Dorset, it has grown into a global celebration of jazz in all its forms.

So alongside Kokoroko, Nala Sinephro and Emma-Jean Thackray are the likes of Ibelisse Guardia Ferragutti & Frank Rosaly from Chicago’s International Anthem label and Brazilian legend Hermeto Pascoal. What really makes WoH stand out is the close attention given to the DJs and dance stages with Carl Craig and Theo Parrish just two of the highlights this year. 

EFG London Jazz Festival – 14-23 November 

Celebrating its 33rd year in 2025, London Jazz ranks beside Montreux, North Sea Jazz and Jazz à Juan as one of the world’s most successful and long running jazz festivals. Already announced for 2025’s festival is Dee Dee Bridgwater Quartet with We Exist! a tribute to the great female activists.

_{Watch Samara Joy in conversation with Jumoké Fashola at the 2024 EFG London Jazz Festival}

This year the festival team have also curated a Summer Jazz series in July opening with jazz rock pianist Tigran Hamasyan and closing with Herbie Hancock‘s three night residency at The Barbican.

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Andy Thomas is a London based writer who has contributed regularly to Straight No Chaser, Wax Poetics, We Jazz, Red Bull Music Academy, and Bandcamp Daily. He has also written liner notes for Strut, Soul Jazz and Brownswood Recordings.

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_{Header image: Love Supreme Festival.}