Liverpool will play host to some of the biggest names in jazz music when the Liverpool International Jazz Festival returns in February.
The four-day event, which runs from 22 February – 25 February at the Capstone Theatre, is set to welcome some of the most exciting figures in contemporary jazz, including the internationally renowned bassist and songwriter, Yolanda Charles, MOBO award-winning Denys Baptiste and Tommy Smith, one of the world’s leading saxophonists.
Now in its 11th year, the festival is organised and hosted by Liverpool Hope University.
Smith, who received an OBE for services to jazz in the 2019 New Year’s honours list, kicks off the 2024 instalment when he takes to the stage alongside acclaimed composer and pianist, Gwilym Simcock on Thursday 22 February.
They are followed by the David Helbock Austrian Syndicate, featuring American pianist Peter Madsen and Helbock himself, who is a multiple winner of the world’s biggest jazz piano solo competition in Montreux.
The Attuned Quartet include leading violinist, Omar Puente, and will be providing their unique take on Indian classical fusion, before Charles takes to the stage with her latest project, pH Instra-mentals.
She has worked with some of music’s biggest stars over the course of her 30 year career, including Hans Zimmer, Paul Weller, Eric Clapton, Van Morrison, Mick Jagger and Michael Jackson. pH Instra-mentals cover a diverse range of musical styles and have a long-running residency at Ronnie Scott’s Jazz Club in London.
The festival concludes with saxophonist Baptiste and his powerful and commanding concert, The Late Trane, which reimagines and reworks ten compositions from jazz legend John Coltrane.
A MOBO Award winner in 1999, when he also received a Mercury Music Prize nomination, Baptiste has been described as an ‘icon of British jazz’ by Time Magazine and his tribute to Coltrane has been well reviewed since its 2017 release.
Liverpool International Jazz Festival 2024: Concert programme
- Tommy Smith & Gwilym Simcock Duo – 7.30pm, Thursday 22nd February 2024
- David Helbock Austrian Syndicate- 7.30pm, Friday 23 February 2024
- Milap and LIJF presents The Attuned Quartet – 1pm, Saturday 24 February 2024
- Yolanda Charles Project pH Instra-mentals – 7.30pm, Saturday 24 February 2024
- Denys Baptiste: Late Trane – 7.30pm, Sunday 25 February
A series of other events championing local artists will be announced in due course and will run alongside the concert programme.
Neil Campbell, Liverpool International Jazz Festival Creative Director, said: “This year’s concert programme is really strong and we’re delighted we’ve been able to bring some of the leading lights in contemporary jazz to Liverpool.
“Our aim is always to deliver a line-up with an international flavour that can be enjoyed by everyone, whether they are a jazz aficionado or music fan looking to explore a new genre.”
Tickets for the festival will be on sale from 10am on Friday 3 November and are available to buy from Ticket Quarter.
A weekend pass, providing access to all five performances, is priced at £60, whilst tickets for individual shows are £15.