Orun, led by Karl Onibuje, presents a dynamic Afro Jazz experience. Blending West African rhythms with contemporary jazz improvisation, Orun creates a sound that is both rooted in tradition and boldly forward-looking. Expect infectious grooves, dazzling horn lines, and storytelling that celebrates community and rhythm.
Hailing from the Basque Country, Bea Asurmendi brings a vibrant, soulful voice to the festival. Performing at Alfie’s Soho, her set blends jazz, folk, and contemporary sensibilities, reworking the traditions of swing and blues for today’s audience. Bea’s artistry captures both the warmth of her roots and a fresh, modern approach, making her a standout performer for those seeking emotional depth and intricate musicality.
Franz Von brings a unique fusion of Jamaican musical heritage and Sheffield’s vibrant hip-hop, afro, and soundsystem culture. His performances are full of energy and innovation, blending Caribbean rhythms with UK underground textures. Franz Von exemplifies how local and global influences can merge to create an exciting, forward-thinking jazz experience.
Launching her new album “Tunes to be Swingin’” at Alfie’s Soho, Olivia Cuttill champions the rich traditions of jazz, swing, and blues, reimagining them with a contemporary edge. Her music bridges past and present, combining timeless melodies with inventive arrangements, making her set a perfect example of how classic jazz forms can resonate with modern audiences.
At Karma Sanctum, Kourosh Kanani teams up with Matt Davies to craft a cross-cultural sonic adventure, blending Middle Eastern motifs with UK underground jazz. Their intricate melodies, rich textures, and experimental rhythms offer a fresh take on jazz fusion and genre-bending creativity.
These artists exemplify the festival’s ethos of honouring tradition while pushing boundaries, showing that jazz is alive, global, and ever-evolving. From the Basque soul of Bea Asurmendi, the swinging reinterpretations of Olivia Cuttill, the Afro-jazz grooves of Orun, the Jamaican x Sheffield fusion of Franz Von, to the cross-cultural experiments of Kanani and Davies, this year’s festival lineup is not to be missed.
