Transport yourself to the vibrant streets of Havana, but without leaving Leeds! This dynamic HAR evening blends authentic Cuban music, dance, and culture into one unforgettable night of pure rhythm and energy.

The night kicks off with a salsa dance class led by renowned instructor Yersin Rivas, welcoming both seasoned dancers and curious beginners. Whether you're looking to polish your moves or take your first steps, this is your chance to dive into the world of Cuban dance.

The Gypsy Swing Collective are a fresh and exciting group of seasoned Jazz musicians offering dynamic and charismatic renditions of songs and tunes from the Django ‘Gypsy Jazz’ repertoire.

Big Bamboo play Rumba, Choro, Mento, Beguine and Merengue – in an acoustic and improvised style reminiscent of New Orleans jazz. Clarinettist Richard Ormrod grew up with the rich, lyrical sound of early Caribbean music and has been playing in this style for thirty five years. Trombonist Will Osborne is passionate about early calypso and beguine and, together, they lead Big Bamboo on a tour through the first half of the 20th Century, across several seas, and through multiple musical traditions rooted in early jazz and hot dance.

Sextet ¡Ritmo Caliente!, formed from the rhythm section of northern Salsa powerhouse Orchestra Mambo International, present a 100th birthday tribute to Latin Jazz pioneer, vibist Cal Tjader.

Led by JazzLeeds regular John Settle on vibes, ¡Ritmo Caliente! honour Tjader’s extensive repertoire from a successful career lasting almost 40 years.

These top Latin jazz musicians from northern England and South America have played with a plethora of Latin music’s greatest, including Joe Bataan, Los Van Van, Grupo X, Jimmy Bosch and many more.

In the realm where Scottish wilderness meets musical innovation, pianist Fergus McCreadie crafts soundscapes that transcend traditional genre boundaries. His compositions are living, breathing interpretations of landscape - each note a brushstroke painting the rugged terrains and fluid seascapes of his homeland.

Jean Toussaint is undoubtedly one of the great tenors in recent jazz history. First coming to prominence with Art Blakey’s Jazz Messengers in the 80s, Jean’s blistering technique and lyrical sound have graced the bands led by such as Wynton Marsalis and Gil Evans as well as leading his own excellent line-ups.

A stalwart of the Leeds music scene for the best part of four decades, Tony Burkill has maintained a low profile nationally, choosing to favour continued study and development of the instrument over the attainment of success or recognition within the music industry. He has impressed audiences with his powerful and gutsy approach to improvisation and has been a well-kept secret amongst both musicians and audiences in the north of England since the 1980s.

All jazz styles and levels are welcome – vocals and instrumentals – it’s all about the vibe. We are back at Northlight on Potternewton Lane. The jazz Leeds trio will be there to support all performers. Phil Green will be your MC

Antifolk pioneer and New York underground legend Lach is bringing his raw, unfiltered energy to Hyde Park Book Club as part of a bold UK summer tour that’s turning heads, not through social media hype, but entirely without it.

In a deliberate move away from platforms like Facebook and Instagram, Lach is relying on a radical old-school approach: word of mouth, genuine press, and the passion of people who believe in art that exists outside the algorithm. Leeds fans get the rare opportunity to be part of this cultural experiment firsthand.