How To Do The London Jazz Festival In Style: These Are The Acts To Visit In 2026
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26 minutes ago
From Goldie’s orchestra to late-night Soho sets there’s jazz fun to be had over all 10 nights
The EFG London Jazz Festival is back with a bang, from 13–22 November 2026 for its 34th year, with 10 days of live music at more than 60 venues across the capital. Jazz, soul, electronic music and orchestral collaborations fill the programme, with established names alongside newbie musicians making their festival debuts. For those making a weekend of it, there are London hotels that are close to the venues and have music of their own (more on that below…).
Goldie, Asha Puthli and Lizz Wright are among this year’s leading names, alongside concerts marking the centenaries of John Coltrane and Miles Davis, new commissions, Japanese jazz ensembles and late-night sets.
Nnamdi Nnachi Cole
How to Do the London Jazz Festival in Style
What to Book
Opening Gala: Jazz Voice
Royal Festival Hall hosts the opening gala on 13 November, with singers including Lizz Wright, Emma Smith, Marvin Muoneké, Liv Warfield, Rita Wilson and James Emmanuel. Broadcaster Jumoké Fashola hosts, alongside conductor and arranger Guy Barker leading the EFG London Jazz Festival Orchestra.
Details: Friday 13 November at 7:30pm, at Southbank Centre / Royal Festival Hall, London SE1 8XX
Goldie: Dare to Dream
Goldie’s Dare to Dream on 14 November is one for anyone who grew up listening to Timeless. Created especially for the festival, the two performances feature Elysian Collective, a choir, his live band and guests including anaiis, Yussef Dayes, Natalie Williams and Cleveland Watkiss. Breakbeats, orchestral arrangements and vocals have been part of his music since that 1995 debut and here he has the musicians to explore them on stage.
Details: Saturday 14 November at 5pm and 8pm, at Southbank Centre / Royal Festival Hall, London SE1 8XX
Asha Puthli: The Cosmic Voyager
Asha Puthli appears at Barbican Hall on 14 November for a rare standalone UK performance. The Mumbai-born singer’s career spans everything from avant-garde jazz, Indian musical influences and cosmic disco, to her recordings with Ornette Coleman and The Devil Is Loose. She performs with her band and special guests, with 50 years of recordings to draw from.
Details: Saturday 14 November at 7:30pm, at Barbican, Silk Street, London EC2Y 8DS
Soweto Kinch & The London Symphony Orchestra
On 19 November, saxophonist, rapper and composer Soweto Kinch returns to the Barbican with the London Symphony Orchestra. The concert features music from three works they have created together since 2019: The Black Peril, White Juju and Soundtrack to the Apocalypse. Kinch looks at history, race and contemporary politics through orchestral writing, jazz and spoken word.
Details: Thursday 19 November at 7:30pm, at Barbican, Silk Street, London EC2Y 8DS
Church of Sound: British Jazz Songbook
East London’s Church of Sound celebrates its 10th birthday with its Barbican debut on 20 November. Its British Jazz Songbook starts with music by figures such as Ian Carr, Stan Tracey and Mike Westbrook, before moving through subsequent generations. The line-up includes Norma Winstone, Cassie Kinoshi, Jas Kayser, Daniel Casimir, Tamar Osborn, Oscar Jerome and musical director Byron Wallen.
Details: Friday 20 November at 7:30pm, at Barbican, Silk Street, London EC2Y 8DS
Haruki Murakami’s Jazz At Peter Cat
From 1974 to 1981, author Haruki Murakami ran Peter Cat, a Tokyo jazz club named after his pet cat and on 21 November, the Barbican revisits the club with performances by Junko Onishi Trio, Sachi Hayasaka / TReS and Yoshio Suzuki’s The Blend. The musicians will play interpretations of American jazz alongside their own compositions – Murakami has given the project his blessing, although he’ll not appear in person. Readers who know the records mentioned throughout his novels may find this one hard to resist.
Details: Saturday 21 November at 5pm and 8:30pm, and Sunday 22 November at 2pm, at Barbican, Silk Street, EC2Y 8DS
EFG London Jazz Festival x Colour Factory: Summer Pearl, Marla Kether (DJ Set) & Ri Mistry
The festival’s first after-party at Colour Factory takes place on 20 November, with Summer Pearl performing live and DJ sets from Marla Kether and Ri Mistry. Summer Pearl incorporates jazz, soul, dub and hip-hop, plus bassist, producer and DJ Kether’s selections include Afro house, kuduro and dembow. Mistry is also the venue’s programmer, and Shortlist Sound supplies the sound system. Ronnie Scott’s Late Late Shows are another option for anyone whose evening is still young when the main concert finishes.
Details: Friday 20 November at 10pm, at Colour Factory, Unit 8a Queens Yard, Hackney Wick, E9 5EN
The Jazz Social
The Jazz Social is back from 9–22 November as the festival’s pop-up hub near the Barbican. Expect live performances, workshops, talks and radio broadcasts, with a record shop and bar to browse between events.
Details: Find the full programme at efglondonjazzfestival.org.uk
The Free & Family Programme
The Barbican’s free foyer performances are worth leaving time for between bookings. The family programme includes Tarana on 14 November, Sound Lines: Voice and Percussion on 15 November and Mix & Move on 20 November, all listed as free. Baby Jazz Club with SAHRA, also on 15 November, is another option for younger listeners, be sure to check its separate ticket details.
Details: Find the full programme at efglondonjazzfestival.org.uk
Ricky Ford Quartet
Where to Stay
The Hoxton, Southwark
The Hoxton, Southwark has a good reason to stay on a Sunday. Ronnie Scott’s takes over Seabird, its 14th-floor restaurant, for a separate series with Grey Goose running from until 6 December. During the festival, pianist and vocalist Natalie Duncan performs on 15 November, followed by the Alec Harper Trio on 22 November. thehoxton.com
The Londoner
The Londoner on Leicester Square is part of Edwardian Hotels London, one of the festival’s supporters. Its location suits West End evenings and late sets at Ronnie Scott’s in Soho, followed by a short stroll back to your room. thelondoner.com
The Wellesley, Knightsbridge
The Wellesley’s Jazz Lounge pairs live performances with Italian dining, and for those staying in Knightsbridge it’s an option for hearing more music without another journey across London. Check the performance schedule when booking the room. marriott.com
Hazlitt’s
Hazlitt’s puts you right in Soho, so it’s handy for Ronnie Scott’s late sets. Named after essayist William Hazlitt, the hotel occupies Georgian houses on Frith Street, with antique beds, paintings and individually decorated rooms – stay here if your plans favour small clubs and late finishes. hazlittshotel.com
