EFG London Jazz Festival share their Free and Family programme.

Friday, November 01, 2024

EFG London Jazz Festival 2024 is thrilled to present an expanded line-up of free and family-focused events. Press release attached.

We have received the following press release;

EFG London Jazz Festival share their Free and Family programme.

EFG London Jazz Festival share their Free and Family Programme
15-24 November 2024
View the Free and Family Lineup Here
https://efglondonjazzfestival.org.uk/whats-on?page=1&limit=24&listingtype=full&dates=&venues=&searchquery=&eventtype=590132,34088

This year, the EFG London Jazz Festival is thrilled to present an expanded lineup of free and family-focused events, where there is something for everyone to enjoy. As The Jazz Social is opening ahead of the festival (from Monday, 11 November), there’s even more free and family events for Londoners, families, and festival-goers to discover. There is more potential than ever for new collaborations, connections with artists, and unique engagements with the vibrant world of jazz across iconic venues in London. There will be drop-in events and concerts held at spaces like the Barbican FreeStage, and the Southbank Centre’s Clore Ballroom, as well as a plethora of events at the festival’s new pop-up venue, The Jazz Social. For 10 days (and longer!), the festival is open to the public, offering the chance to experience jazz in welcoming and inclusive settings.

Located just around the corner from the Barbican Centre, The Jazz Social will feature a range of free, accessible events and experiences open to all. It’s the perfect spot for festival-goers, locals, and families to gather, whether on lunch breaks or winding down after work. There will be free concerts from Cuban pianist Roberto Fonseca, the GRAMMY award winning, New Orleans based Dirty Dozen Brass Band, alt folk/jazz artist Gigi Wilde and dynamic rising star Ashaine White, as well as incredible showcases from LCCM’s Gospel and RnB singers, and LCCM’s Vera Bohl and the Lunar Collective. Not only this, but the Guildhall School Lunchtime Concerts will bring a range of performances by Lucy Joy, Thomas Sladden, Lior Solomons-Wise, George Johnson, and Sam Plackett, making it easy for everyone to drop in and enjoy high-calibre jazz at no cost. Most days during the festival will feature live radio broadcasts from Jazz FM and One Jazz, with interviews, sessions and the very best music the backdrop to your morning coffee. The Jazz Social will also be hosting free DJ sets, radio events, and mixers, a special Japanese jazz vinyl set by Tony Higgins, and a mixer hosted by Women in Jazz.

For families, The Jazz Social offers engaging and interactive events designed to introduce young listeners to jazz. The Baby Jazz Club provides an environment where children aged 0-3 can experience concerts in a setting that encourages freedom and participation.There will be performances by award-winning British Neo-Jazz singer Ni Maxine, known for her soulful, socially conscious lyrics, and SAHRA, an artist celebrated for her authentic jazz voice and innovative compositions. Families with slightly older children can also attend Becoming Brave, a storytelling and drama workshop helping children to navigate their emotions through interactive stories.

At the heart of the free and family programming are weekend highlights taking place at the Barbican FreeStage and the Southbank Centre’s Clore Ballroom, both buzzing with energy and open to the public at no charge. The first and final weekends of the festival transform these spaces into lively drop-in venues where attendees can enjoy interactive performances, workshops, and performances from rising talents and established jazz stars alike.

At the Clore Ballroom, across the first weekend of the festival there will be a free concert celebrating a new generation of talent with London College of Contemporary Music Presents: Emergings Sounds of London and their depictions of the multifaceted sounds of London from jazz, neo-soul, Latin, reggae, and indie music – the line up demonstrates everything London has to offer. Next, the venue will host Get Your Groove On, a day curated by Milestones participants, for an unmissable event featuring DJ sets from Habibti Nation and live performances from Mangorata, David Kayode, Diddy Sweg and AfroXh’ero, who perform alongside live dancers from London Waacking Movement. On Sunday, 17 November, there will also be an afternoon of London’s emerging artists and youth jazz ensembles for an afternoon of jazz and beyond.

For the second weekend, the Clore Ballroom will host the annual African ManiFest on Saturday, 23 November, an opportunity to take in the sounds of South Africa, featuring dancing workshops, choirs, marbima bands and South African jazz legends with performances from Imbube UK Singers, Chanty 74, Otto and the Mutapa Calling and Claude Deppa & Clare Hirst Band.

In the Clore Ballroom on Sunday, 24 November, you are invited to celebrate the music of Louisiana, from early-jazz big bands and cajun dance music to brass bands and carnival music. The event kicks off with the mass-participation project Orphy Robinson’s Big Easy Big Band, in which all levels of musicians are invited to join in for rehearsals and a performance; more details are available here. The rest of the lineup is completed by the Joli Blon Cajun Band, DJ Lil’ Koko, The Brass Funkeys and Kinetika Bloco. This free event is in partnership with Explore Louisiana and Visit the USA, inspired by the energy and culture of New Orleans and the state of Louisiana and celebrating its musical heritage, which has been central to the development of jazz.

Over at the Barbican, there will be two weekends full of free and family events. On Saturday 16 November, Jazz Out Of Norway will take over the Freestage, featuring LILJA + Nils Økland, where audiences can discover the unique charm of Norway’s vibrant jazz scene. The following day, join Melbourne International Jazz Festival as they celebrate the unique and diverse sounds of the Australian jazz scene with performances from BUMPY,  Kristin Berardi and Alexander Flood. The following weekend will be London Louisiana presents Whiskey Moonface + 10 Bells Rag Band as well as a second event where Round Midnight & Soweto Kinch curate and host a special edition of their BBC Radio 3 show, featuring some exciting artists who are in town for the EFG London Jazz Festival. Throughout the festival there is an incredible array of performances that are free to attend, from lunch time shows at Pizza Express to foyer events at Cadogan Hall

With so many events free and open to the public, EFG London Jazz Festival invites Londoners and visitors alike to drop in, experience something new, and maybe discover a new favourite artist along the way. This year’s focus on inclusivity ensures that jazz lovers and newcomers can find joy and inspiration, making the festival an unmissable cultural celebration for all.

The UK’s biggest celebration of jazz music, EFG London Jazz Festival, is just around the corner. For 10 days in November, hundreds of the best jazz musicians in the world flock to the capital to perform at a whole host of venues across the city. From esteemed concert halls to grassroot venues, and global icons through to emerging young musicians, EFG London Jazz Festival shines a light on, and celebrates, the wide and diverse world of jazz and beyond.

Serious would like to extend their heartfelt thanks to all of their partners, particularly the extended support of title sponsors EFG International, which helps to support the breadth and diversity of the festival. The EFG London Jazz Festival is made possible thanks to the support of many key sponsors and funders, including Arts Council England, PRS foundation, Serious Trust, My Louisiana, Visit the USA, BBC Radio 3, Champagne Thienot, Jazzwise Magazine and Jazz FM UK.

Praise for EFG London Jazz Festival 2023

“Outstanding” - The Times, ★★★★

“It’s a delight to be caught up in it, swept up in a wave with the simple pleasure of synchrony, community and great music” - The Guardian, ★★★★★

“The world’s coolest.” - Evening Standard, ★★★★★

“The character of a main festival and several mini-festivals rolled into one” - The Arts Desk, ★★★★

“From jazz icons to exciting new talent and virtuosos to boundary breakers, this London event has it all” - Evening Standard

“A stellar line-up of both established jazz virtuosos and a cadre of emerging stars on the horizon” - Notion

“You’d be a fool to miss” - The Quietus

“International in outlook but with strong local roots, the festival provides a snapshot of current jazz as well as a showcase for homegrown talent” - Financial Times

“Not to missed by jazz-heads” - Time Out

Serious is one of the UK’s leading producers of live jazz, international and new music through concerts, festivals, tours, digital shows, talent development schemes, learning and participation programmes, and bespoke events for all.

EFG International is a global private banking group offering private banking and asset management services and is headquartered in Zurich. EFG International’s group of private banking businesses operates in around 40 locations worldwide. Its registered shares (EFGN) are listed on the SIX Swiss Exchange.