Saved events

Press room

Press Reminder: EFG London Jazz Festival events at the Barbican, 15-24 November 2024

EFG London Jazz Festival promotional image

One month today, the EFG London Jazz Festival 2024 returns to the Barbican, bringing 10 days of world-class contemporary jazz to the arts centre’s stages alongside cinema screenings and free-to-attend public performances.

The EFG London Jazz Festival, run by Barbican Associate Producer Serious, comprises hundreds of gigs across the city in November, with some of the world’s best jazz taking over concert halls, jazz clubs and public spaces alike. This year, the Barbican will host seventeen events from 15-24 November 2024 including free performances in the Barbican Foyers, a collaboration with the Barbican’s Resident Orchestra the London Symphony Orchestra, and legends and newcomers alike in the Barbican Hall, Milton Court Concert Hall and on the Barbican FreeStage.

The full programme of EFG London Jazz Festival events at the Barbican follow below:

BARBICAN HALL & MILTON COURT CONCERT HALL

This programme of events features a dynamic and lively mix of international legends and the freshest local talent. Soloists, quartets, trios, orchestras, ensembles, from London to New Orleans to South Africa: this year’s Jazz Festival caters to all tastes and interests. Full listings below and here.
 

  • Pat Metheny, 15/16 Nov: The 20-time GRAMMY Award-winning guitarist and composer, Pat Metheny 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.
     
  • Anouar Brahem, 17 Nov: 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.
     
  • The Joy, 17 Nov: South African a cappella group The Joy make their Barbican debut, bringing their tightly woven harmonies to Milton Court Concert Hall. In less than three years, The Joy have become known for their ability to spread instant euphoria. The five piece, which comprises Pastor (Ntokozo Bright Magcaba), Duzie (Melokuhle Mkhungo), Guduza (Sphelele Hlophe), Sthombe (Phelelani Sithole) and Marcus (Sanele Ngcobo), grew up in a part of South Africa where the Zulu tradition of isicathamiya (a Zulu a cappella singing style) is central to the cultural identity of its people.
     
  • Charles Tolliver celebrates Max Roach @ 100, 18 Nov: Trumpeter Charles Tolliver presents a landmark tribute to bebop pioneer Max Roach in celebration of what would have been the legendary drummer’s 100th birthday. Tolliver will be joined by Darrell Green on drums, Camille Thurman on tenor saxophone and an all-star UK big band led by Tony Kofi.

  • Tim Garland’s Lighthouse Trio, 19 Nov: 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.
     
  • Nature's Heart: LSO x Cassie Kinoshi's seed., 21 Nov: Saxophonist and composer Cassie Kinoshi leads the Mercury Prize-nominated seed. as they join forces with the Barbican’s Resident Orchestra, the London Symphony Orchestra for Nature’s Heart: an evening of new and classic music.
     
  • Crosscurrents Trio: Zakir Hussain, Dave Holland, Chris Potter, 22 Nov: Cross Currents Trio with Dave Holland, Zakir Hussain, and Chris Potter host an evening of sophisticated compositions and masterful improvisations, embodying the cultural and musical connections between East and West.
     
  • Marilyn Mazur’s Shamania, 22 Nov: Percussionist and composer Marilyn Mazur’s tribal band Shamania brings a display of shaman-inspired power and rhythms to Milton Court with their new album REROOTING.
     
  • Take Me to the River: A Celebration of New Orleans Music, 23 Nov: GRAMMY Award-winning project Take Me to The River brings a celebration of the musical legacy of New Orleans and Memphis to the Barbican. A multi-disciplinary project shining a light, through live performance, film and educational programmes, on the cultural impact of music from these two musically historic cities, it will also showcase some of the best contemporary musical talent from New Orleans.
     
  • Sikelela, thirty years on, 24 Nov: In the 30th anniversary year of democracy in South Africa, the Barbican will host Sikelela, a celebration of the country’s avant-garde music. Curated by The Brother Moves On’s Siyabonga Mthembu and pianist, composer, and singer Thandi Ntuli, the evening brings together a line-up including Bokani Dyer, Thandiswa Mazwai, Keenen Myer, Chelsea Carmichael, Soweto Kinch and many more. 


FREESTAGE PEFRORMANCES

Each year, the Barbican FreeStage, our temporary stage on Level G in the Barbican Foyers plays host to a wide variety of jazz musicians - from international stars to emerging talent. The performances take place across both weekends of the EFG London Jazz Festival and are free and non-ticketed.

 

  • Jazz Out Of Norway: LILJA + Nils Økland, 16 Nov, 5pm: Two exceptional artists from Norway’s vibrant jazz scene bring their innovative blend of traditional melodies and modern rhythms to the Barbican FreeStage: Norwegian artist LILJA (Oddrun Lilja), and one of Norway’s most celebrated players of Hardanger fiddle and violin, Nils Økland.
     
  • Melbourne International Jazz Festival presents…, 17 Nov, 5pm: Melbourne International Jazz Festival are proud to showcase three exceptional artists from down under: award-winning composer, vocalist and Noongar woman Bumpy; vocalist Kristin Berardi, joined by double bassist Lukas Traxel; and drummer Alexander Flood who mines the depths of nu-jazz, house, broken beat, drum ‘n’ bass, funk and experimental sounds to create a rousing live set.
     
  • London Louisiana presents…, 23 Nov: To accompany Take Me To The River All-Stars Live! in the Barbican Hall, the FreeStage will play host to an evening of New Orleans-inspired music played through the lens of two London-based groups, Whiskey Moonface and Ten Bells Rag Band.
     
  • ‘Round Midnight, 24 Nov: BBC Radio 3’s ‘Round Midnight and presenter and saxophonist Soweto Kinch curate and host a special edition of their live radio show, featuring exciting artists in town for the EFG London Jazz Festival.

 

JAZZ ON SCREEN

This programme celebrates the rich legacy of jazz as portrayed through British television in the 1970s and beyond. Through rare archival footage and thought-provoking discussions, So Watt: Jazz and Improvisation on British TV revisits the groundbreaking moments when jazz innovators boldly redefined the genre's boundaries on screen. Complementing this exploration are screenings that honour jazz legends like Max Roach and Duke Ellington, whose powerful music continues to resonate globally. Join us for a journey through the sights and sounds that have shaped jazz's enduring influence on culture and media.
 

 

THE JAZZ SOCIAL, Ropemaker Street

For the first time in its history, this November EFG London Jazz Festival presents The Jazz Social, a jazz pop-up open from 11-24 November. The Jazz Social is a new pop-up home for music lovers and locals alike with intimate live performances, artist signings, a record store and family events alongside live radio broadcasts and more. Located a stone's throw away from the Barbican, and open for two weeks across the festival, The Jazz Social is vibrant social hub for festival-goers heading to and from performances at in the Barbican Hall, Milton Court Concert Hall, and on the Barbican's FreeStage.

Location: Ropemaker St, London EC2Y 9AW. You can locate the entrance door for the event using What3Words - /// voice.earth.lace

 

FULL EFG LONDON JAZZ FESTIVAL 2024 LINE UP AT THE BARBICAN
 

 

GUILDHALL JAZZ FESTIVAL IN ASSOCIATION WITH EFG LONDON JAZZ FESTIVAL

20–24 NOVEMBER 2024

A stone’s throw from the Barbican, the creativity and originality of the Guildhall Jazz community is celebrated in the School’s annual Jazz Festival at Milton Court, presented in partnership with EFG London Jazz Festival. Four afternoons and evenings of performances in Milton Court Concert Hall will be headlined by Helena Kay (20 Nov), Giacomo Smith & Mozes Rosenberg (21 Nov), Junior Guildhall Big Band and Jazz Choir (23 Nov) and NYJO & Cleveland Watkiss (23 Nov) and Sultan Stevenson (24 Nov) with a wealth of performances by Guildhall Jazz students, alumni and special guests including the Junior Guildhall Big Band being showcased throughout the days.

All events in the Guildhall Jazz Festival are free, with further details available here

Contacts

Ed Maitland Smith, Communications Manager for Music : e e – [email protected] t – 0203 834 1115

Lucy Thraves, Communications Officer for Music : e – [email protected]

Simone Gibbs, Communications Assistant for Music : e – [email protected]

Documents
Full Press Release PDF 528.89 kb