“Benet McLean pushes the boundaries of the violin in jazz with unparalleled modernism.”— Julian Joseph

Violinist and pianist Benet McLean is one of the most highly regarded contemporary musicians in British jazz. His musical depth and exploration of the boundaries between musical genres make him a unique and constantly evolving artist. Inspired in his teens by the great bebop artists of the 1940s, Benet’s playing today reflects his early inspirations while also embracing many other musical influences.

Lift Your Feet are proud to present Coco Maria as they return for another Jazz Dance DJ Session at Hyde Park Book Club. One of the most unique and uncompromising DJs in the world : Coco María is a selector, curator and radio host with impeccable taste.

Hailing originally from Mexico and now based in Europe, she specializes in Brazilian, South American, Central American, and Caribbean wax and will be unearthing the finest Jazz gems in her crate for this special dance.

Lift Your Feet residents plus Leeds own super hot Latin selectors El Caspete join.

The UK's biggest and best cult 26-piece music ensemble Ferg’s Imaginary Big Band, bring their cosmic jazz x punk & noise vibes to the Howard Assembly Room for the very first time.

Not a thing events are happy to announce the return of Alt-Jazz X Breaks, the high bpm danceable jazz/whatever night at Hyde Park Book Club – for a special one off night as part of Leeds Jazz Festival 25

This time there are  7 bands, playing 20 minute sets – with big tunes in between to keep you dancing as much as we can.

As always, a ridiculous mix up of noisy high speed jazz and adjacents.

DEFF60 – @deff60collective

Fake Scenario – @kende_sarlos2001

Glass Frogs – @glassfrogsband

Opening a weekend of Japanese listening culture, Club 15 and With Egg Records DJ’s are going back to back on the all vinyl Club 15 x Echelon Coffee Roasters audiophile Jazz Kissa System. 

Featuring custom built horn speakers, audiophile decks and a custom rotary mixer; expect to hear rare jazz, world and boogie that will get you grooving. 

With Egg will be selling records from their pop-up vinyl store, and food will be available from Galleria’s wood-fired kitchen.

Leeds' favourite genre-bending sextet to return to the Whistle for their ever popular 'Flat Friday'!

Calling the youngest Jazz lovers of Leeds! 

Join the PLAY tent at Leeds Art Gallery in this creative immersive workshop. Your young ones will be invited to express themselves creatively with paint whilst listening to the gentle sounds of 'Sketches of Spain' by Miles Davis. 

Linked to the forthcoming Lynette Yiadom- Boakye exhibition 'To improvise a mountain', the session will start in the gallery and continue in the Studio.  

Suitable for all under 5s the Early Years Atelier of Jazz will be relaxed, friendly and welcoming. 

Camilla George is a visionary saxophonist, composer, bandleader and innovator.

Her strong cultural roots and love of fusing African and Western Music has informed her own unique style, a key reason why she is a firm fixture on the new London Jazz scene, alongside peers such as Nubya Garcia and Shabaka Hutchings. Her music is a hypnotising blend of Afrofuturism, hip hop and jazz, with a politically minded subtext that has a powerful connection to her Nigerian identity, lineage and heritage, reflecting African history, culture and slavery.

Sultan Stevenson is one of the most exciting young jazz musicians in the UK today. He is a product of both the Julian Joseph Jazz Academy and Tomorrow’s Warriors, from a young age under the tuition of renowned jazz musicians such as Julian Joseph, Gary Crosby, Simon Purcell and Robert Mitchell.

Fermented Films is delighted to present: VOYAGE OF THE ROCK ALIENS!

A weird and wonderful sci-fi, rock musical coming at you straight from the 80's! It's got aliens, its got robots, it's got a chainsaw wielding maniac, and it's even got a giant tentacle monster! You'll laugh, you'll cry, and maybe you'll even dance! A joy from start to finish, we really can't recommend this film enough.