Samara Joy, Kyoto Jazz Massive and Manchester Jazz Fest nights for Band on the Wall

Manchester’s legendary live music venue, Band on the Wall, has a packed few months ahead with a huge number of UK-based and international jazz names set to perform. Highlights include the genre-defying project, Kyoto Jazz Massive (19 March), who were founded by the Okino brothers, finally returns to European stages after a 15 year hiatus, to celebrate its 30th birthday with some new material and a brand-new line up. Led by Shuya Okino and featuring Vanessa Freeman on lead vocals, KJM is now backed by the powerful Echoes Of A New Dawn Orchestra, spreading their unique cross-over vision from jazz-funk, broken beat to soulful house, cosmic grooves and everything in-between.

Further notable shows include a visit from rising US piano star Sean Mason (26 March); multi award-winning “Afrobeat Ambassador” Deli Sosimi and his talented band of UK jazz and Afrobeat players under the moniker Afrobeat Vibration (30 March); plus Brooklyn-based producer, composer, arranger, and multi-instrumentalist Sly5thAve who presents his solo live show, fresh from a North American tour with Alfa Mist (31 March).

Triple Grammy Award-winning US jazz singer Samara Joy will stop off at Band on the Wall as part of her UK tour for what’s sure to be a dazzling vocal display (22 April); the hugely charismatic Cuban pianist Omar Sosa brings his rhythmically-charged Suba Trio to town (9 May) with kora maestro Seckou Keita and percussionist Gustavo Ovalles joining the key master for a melting pot of global jazz sounds.

Mercury nominated Scottish pianist Fergus McCreadie performs with his hugely acclaimed Trio of David Bowden (double bass) and Stephen Henderson (drums), as they release their latest album Stream (19 May), while May closes out with a bang with a weeklong run of gigs presented by the Manchester Jazz Festival. This bumper packed week features Courtney Pine, Nubiyan Twist + corto.alto, Adam Ben Ezra, Nu Genea x Mr Scruff take over x Me Gusta, Laura Misch, Laura Jurd’s Big Friendly Band, Sarāb, Close Counters, Fallen Flags, D’Accord!, Awen Ensemble, Bianca Gannon Ensemble and Carole Nelson Trio (23-26 May).

For full listings including the weekly jam sessions visit bandonthewall.org/whats-on/