Press room

Today (24 April) the Barbican and Associate Producer Serious announce the first wave of performances for this year’s EFG London Jazz Festival 2024 with more to be announced later this year. Now in its 32nd year, the annual festival returns to the Barbican from 15 – 24 November 2024 as well as taking over 60+ venues across the city. The Barbican is a key venue for the EFG London Jazz Festival, serving as a meeting point, platform and producer for some of the most exciting events each year. In collaboration with Serious, the Barbican helps bring to life unique projects, premieres and performances from some of the world’s greatest emerging and established artists. 

EFG London Jazz Festival 2024 performances at the Barbican announced to date: 

• Pat Metheny - Dream Box (Saturday 16 Nov 2024, Barbican Hall, 7.30pm)  
• Anouar Brahem Quartet (Sunday 17 Nov 2024, Barbican Hall, 7.30pm)
• Tim Garland’s Lighthouse Trio and Britten Sinfonia (Tuesday 19 Nov 2024, Milton Court Concert Hall, 7.30pm)
• London Symphony Orchestra x seed. featuring Cassie Kinoshi (Thursday 21 Nov 2024, Barbican Hall, 7pm)
• Cross Currents Trio: Zakir Hussain, Dave Holland, Chris Potter (Friday 22 Nov 2024, Barbican Hall, 7.30pm) 

On Saturday 16 November, the Barbican welcomes back the legendary guitarist Pat Metheny to the festival stage for the first time since his 2017 appearance. Known for his unparalleled versatility across various musical genres, Metheny has collaborated with a diverse range of artists, from Steve Reich to Ornette Coleman to Herbie Hancock. His upcoming performance is in support of his forthcoming album, ‘MoonDial’, a solo guitar record recorded on baritone guitar without overdubs.

The following day, Sunday 17 November, Anouar Brahem and his quartet grace the Barbican Hall, presenting music from his illustrious nearly forty-year career. Throughout his rich musical journey, Brahem has continually juxtaposed the age-old tradition of Arab music with modern jazz and beyond, creating a unique sonic landscape. 

On Tuesday 19 November, Tim Garland’s Lighthouse Trio will collaborate with Britten Sinfonia at Milton Court Concert Hall with soloists Thomas Gould and Yazz Ahmed. This ambitious project brings together a fusion of classical motifs and Turkish rhythms. 

On Thursday 21 November, saxophonist Cassie Kinoshi leads the Mercury Prize-nominated seed. as they join forces with the Barbican’s Resident Orchestra, the London Symphony Orchestra for an evening of new music and collaboration.

On Friday 22 November, the Barbican Hall hosts Cross Currents Trio with Dave Holland, Zakir Hussain, and Chris Potter for an evening of sophisticated compositions and masterful improvisations, embodying the cultural and musical connections between East and West.

Full listing details can be found below and here. 

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Pat Metheny, 20-time GRAMMY Award-winning guitarist and composer, takes to the Barbican stage to present his latest album, MoonDial. featuring a collection of personal and fan favourites from his illustrious nearly 50-year career.

With a genre-defining catalogue, Metheny brings his solo show to the Hall, offering audiences a unique glimpse into his innovative approach to music. Renowned for his ability to continuously explore new angles and perspectives, Metheny's solo performances are a testament to his creative evolution over the years.

His groundbreaking album New Chautauqua (1979) played a pivotal role in defining an era of instrumental steel-stringed Americana, inspiring countless artists in its wake. Additionally, The Orchestrion Project, a pioneering venture where Metheny composed music and constructed instruments controlled by his guitar, remains a groundbreaking achievement in solo performance years after its inception.

Produced by Serious, part of EFG London Jazz Festival 

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Anouar Brahem, the masterful oud player and leader of a dynamic quartet, takes audiences on a captivating musical journey that seamlessly blends the rich traditions of Arab music with the contemporary allure of modern jazz.

For nearly four decades, Brahem has been renowned for his virtuosity on the oud and his innovative approach to combining diverse musical styles. From his groundbreaking albums like Conte de l'incroyable amour, Madar,Thimar, and Astrakan Café, Brahem has continually pushed the boundaries of musical expression.

Now, with his latest project, Brahem returns to his musical roots, infusing his performances with a fresh energy and creativity. As the leader of this vibrant ensemble, Brahem invites audiences to explore new horizons while honouring the timeless traditions of Arab music.

Produced by Serious, part of EFG London Jazz Festival 

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Tim Garland, a leading figure in the world of jazz improvisation, presents an ambitious collaboration, bringing together his Lighthouse Trio and the orchestra Britten Sinfonia, accompanied by Esra Kizir Gokcen's immersive artwork projections. 

Their recent album, Moment of Departure, reflects a fusion of influences ranging from classical themes to irresistible Turkish rhythms, created in partnership with Britten Sinfonia.

Alongside sets by the Lighthouse Trio, this concert sees the culmination of a longstanding collaboration between Britten Sinfonia's leader Thomas Gould and acclaimed musicians Tim Garland and Gwilym Simcock. Garland conducts his enchanting new orchestral piece The Forever Seed, which features violinist Gould, pianist Simcock, and drummer Asaf Sirkis and trumpeter Yazz Ahmed on flugelhorn as soloists. 

The programme also features a new composition by Simcock, crafted specifically for himself, Britten Sinfonia, and Tim Garland, alongside Jonathan Brigg's tribute to Thelonious Monk, written for Britten Sinfonia’s strings.

Produced by Britten Sinfonia, part of EFG London Jazz Festival

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The London Symphony Orchestra is joined by the Mercury Prize-nominated ensemble seed., led by saxophonist Cassie Kinoshi for an evening of new music and collaboration.

The London Symphony Orchestra regularly collaborates with genre-melding artists as part of the EFG London Jazz Festival and this year the Orchestra are joined by seed. – a dynamic group of musicians pushing the boundaries of contemporary jazz, which merges influences from various musical traditions to create a unique sonic experience. The Hyundai Mercury Award 2019 nominated ten-piece ensemble is led by composer and alto-saxophonist Cassie Kinoshi, an alumna of the LSO Panufnik Composers Scheme.

Produced by the London Symphony Orchestra, part of EFG London Jazz Festival

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On Friday 22 November, the Barbican Hall will host the Cross Currents Trio, comprising three titans of American and Indian music: Dave Holland, Zakir Hussain, and Chris Potter. This collaboration of musical giants represents the epitome of jazz artistry, with each member celebrated for their unparalleled sophistication and mastery of their craft.

Together, the trio creates a transcendent musical experience, weaving together intricate melodies and rhythms that defy categorisation and traverse cultural boundaries. Their collective genius elevates jazz to new heights, showcasing the power of collaboration and innovation in music.

Individually, Holland, Hussain, and Potter have made lasting contributions to the world of music, pushing the boundaries of jazz and fostering connections between Eastern and Western musical traditions. Their pioneering spirit and extraordinary talent have reshaped the landscape of contemporary jazz, earning them acclaim and admiration from critics and fans alike.

‘Their mix of ragas swing and more besides was a highlight of the 2017 EFG London Jazz Festival’ - Financial Times

Produced by Serious, part of EFG London Jazz Festival 

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