Jazz club nights and Southbank/Barbican freestage shows complete EFG London Jazz Festival line-up

Final preparations are underway for this year’s edition of the 2024 EFG London Jazz Festival, with 10 packed days of performances taking place at venues large and small across the capital from 15 to 24 November. Last minute additions include a brand new pop-up venue dubbed ‘The Jazz Social’ and located at Citypoint near the Barbican, which will serve as a festival hub and hangout for the duration of the festival. The space will include a jazz cafe and bar and host in-store live music, exclusive merchandise, records, live radio broadcasts and more.

The festival’s club programme is also in full swing with a mind-boggling array of artists appearing in some of the capital’s most iconic jazz venues. These include Chelsea’s 606 with their traditionally strong LJF line-up including The Peter King Memorial Sax Summit with Mornington Lockett, Binker Golding, Allison Neale and Alec Harper (16 Nov); singer Susanna Aleksandra’s Tribute to Sarah Vaughan with special guest Quentin Collins (17 Nov); Alina Bzhezhinska & Tony Kofi Duo feat. Joel Prime (20 Nov) and Shez Raja feat. Guthrie Govan (22 Nov). Ronnie Scott’s packs in the likes of Kenny Barron (15 Nov), Carmen Lundy (16 Nov), Mica Millar (19 Nov), Shai Maestro (21 Nov) and a special Late Show with Nikki Yeoh’s Nucleus Sessions with bassist Ewan Hastie’s Trio, the latter is part of an exciting late night LJF strand at the club (see feature on page 17).

Soho’s Pizza Express Jazz Club has Avery Sharpe’s McCoy Tyner Legends featuring Steve Turre (16 Nov), Tammy Weis saluting the poetry of Fernando Pessoa with Brit jazz piano don Julian Joseph (17 Nov), contemporary jazz sounds from Beware of the Bear with saxophonist Phil Meadows (19 Nov) and renowned pianist Kirk Lightsey’s Quartet featuring prodigious UK saxophonist Alex Hitchcock (20 Nov). Camden’s Jazz Cafe’s weeklong festival line-up includes shows from award-winning singer Zara McFarlane (17 Nov), leading US trumpeter Keyon Harrold (20 Nov) and funky US fusioneers Butcher Brown (23 Nov).

Brit jazz piano great Django Bates performs his spellbinding ‘Distilled’ solo show (16 Nov) as part of The Vortex, Dalston’s festival week with other highlights including John Escreet’s Seismic Shift with Eric Revis and Damion Reid (two shows, 17 Nov), Tim Berne’s Oceans Band with accordionist Aurora Nealand and cellist Hank Roberts (19 Nov), Nikki Iles Jazz Orchestra (22 Nov) and a starry final weekend Jam Session with drummer Jas Kayser, pianist Rick Simpson and tenor saxophonists Helena Kay and Riley Stone-Lonergan all taking turns to lead the music making (24 Nov).

Free shows at the Southbank’s Clore Ballroom across the week and closing weekend feature sets from African ManiFest: Sounds of South Africa (23 Nov) plus Orphy Robinson’s Big Easy Big Band, Joli Blon Cajun Band and DJ Lil’ Koko (all from 1.15pm to 4pm, on 24 Nov). While the Barbican freestage packs in a Norwegian jazz showcase on Saturday 16 Nov, 3-6pm ; a  Melbourne Jazz Fest showcase (17 Nov) and a live recording of Soweto Kinch’s Radio 3 Show, ‘Round Midnight (24 Nov).

The guest singers for the opening night Jazz Voice gala at the Royal Festival Hall (RFH) on Friday 15 November will include Brazilian vocal star Marisa Monte; virtuosic US singer Veronica Swift, Leeds rising star Lucy Anne Daniels; Sade/Incognito affiliated singer Tony Momrelle; Homeland and Once Upon A Time In Hollywood actor turned singer Damian Lewis and singer, songwriter, producer IAMTHELIVING.Banger Factory Records label boss Mark Kavuma will launch his new album Magnum Opus with an all-star band of David Mrakpor, Ruben Fox, Sahra Gure, Rachael Cohen and Artie Zaitz all at the QEH (17 Nov). A big band of some of London’s finest musicians directed by revered US trumpeter Charles Tolliver join the line-up for the Max Roach tribute at the Barbican and includes Jean Toussaint, Denys Baptiste, Byron Wallen and Josh Short. Led by Tolliver, the evening will celebrate what would have been the legendary jazz drummer’s 100th birthday (18 November).

There’s also a special show at Union Chapel in Islington with George Nelson presenting an all-star edition of his ‘Moment’s Notice’ series with Brit jazz sax don Courtney Pine, Ezra Collective drummer Femi Koleoso and top Swiss bassist Peter Eldh already confirmed for a memorable closing weekend improv summit on 24 November. Jazzwise is festival media partner.

For the full programme and tickets visit www.efglondonjazzfestival.org.uk