The fourth annual Watford Jazz Junction runs 10-18 May 2025 across venues and spaces in Watford, north west of London. The festival begins with a gala night featuring Vanessa Haynes presents Aretha Franklin plus Elaine Delmar, Janet Evra + Ilario Ferrari Trio, Tim Garland & Gwilym Simcock, Mark Kavuma, blues man Errol Linton, Alice Zawadzki and the famous Jazz Steps marathon on the final day. One Jazz is pleased to be a media partner, hosting and presenting three nights of world class music at Watford’s Pump House Theatre.
Tim Garland & Gwilym Simcock – 14 May 2025
Grammy-winning saxophonist Tim Garland and pianist Gwilym Simcock are both known internationally as band-leaders and fine composers, sharing a deep love of contemporary, melodic jazz. Garland’s near 20-year association with Chick Corea and Simcock’s collaborations with Pat Metheny have made the pair amongst the most experienced and respected improvising musicians on the European scene. Support on the night will be the Nico Widdowson Trio.
Tickets £30 available here.
Mark Kavuma Quartet – 15 May 2025
Over the last decade composer, trumpeter and bandleader Mark Kavuma has established a reputation as an influential figure, performing at the cutting edge of the vibrant London nu-jazz scene. As a performer, Kavuma is renowned for his lyricism, soulful tone and graceful technique. He has released eight albums as leader featuring his original compositions. His latest, Mark Kavuma & The Banger Factory’s Magnum Opus, is released on his own Banger Factory imprint and has received great support from One Jazz and Jazz FM.
Mark Kavuma has also received a new nomination as Instrumentalist Of The Year at this year’s Jazz FM Awards.
Tickets £27.50 available here.
Alice Zawadzki presents Imagined Folklore – 17 May 2025
Acclaimed violinist, composer and singer Alice Zawadzki presents a unique exploration of musical junctions through the stories of folklore, alongside a bespoke band assembled especially for the Watford Jazz Junction Festival. Curated and performed by Alice Zawadzki, Invented Folklore brings us vignettes that re-imagine the world of the fairy tale, crashing into the Pumphouse Theatre Watford for one very special night. Support on the night is from cutting-edge tap dancer Petra Haller.
Alice Zawadzki is also nominated at this year’s Jazz FM Awards for both Vocalist Of The Year and Album Of The Year for Za Górami, featuring Fred Thomas and Misha Mullov-Abbado, released in September 2024 via ECM Records.
Tickets £30 available here.
All three events, presented by One Jazz, will take place at Watford’s Pump House Theatre, Local Board Rd, Watford WD17 2JP. All tickets and information are at watfordjazzjunction.com.