Durham set to hit the right notes with jazz festival

A new music festival is set to bring the sound of jazz to venues across Durham as the historic city prepares to host a three-day celebration of the genre.

The inaugural Durham Jazz Festival will take place from October 23 to 25, transforming venues across the city with a programme featuring national and northern jazz artists.

Founded by Alan Patrickson, John Lyons and Richard Turner, the event will combine intimate club-style performances with larger headline shows, aiming to showcase both established musicians and emerging talent.

John, a renowned music photographer and jazz aficionado, said: “We are an emerging festival and have big ambitions to put Durham City on the map for showcasing the very best of talent from the national jazz scene. 

“At the same time, we also aim to provide performance opportunities for up and coming local and regional talent – working in partnership with education establishments, grassroots promoter networks and music-focused arts organisations to develop our programme.”

Key venues include Gala Theatre and Redhills Durham Miners’ Hall, alongside smaller performance spaces across the city.

Opening the festival will be Emma Fisk’s Hot Club du Nord in Gala Studio, bringing vintage swing and Gypsy jazz influences. 

The first evening’s headline performance will feature musicians from Ronnie Scott’s Jazz Club presenting the Ronnie Scott’s Soho Songbook.

The weekend programme also includes pianist Dean Stockdale, jazz vocalist Marvin Muoneké performing with the Strictly Smokin’ Big Band, and the Abbie Finn Quintet.

Alan added: “This is one unique show that is not to be missed. 

“The festival has been designed to bring together major artists with the best of the region’s thriving jazz scene. 

“We are really excited about the programme we are curating for the 2026 festival – and many more artists are set to be announced. 

“The long-term ambition is to establish the event as an accessible annual festival for audiences across the region.”

Organisers are also planning pop-up performances in bars, restaurants and businesses, creating a festival atmosphere across Durham.

Richard, a well-known North East music promoter and curator of events at the Old Cinema Launderette, in Gilesgate, Durham, added: “Our focus is on creating a welcoming festival that appeals to a broad audience. 

“We want to bring the joy of live music to people who might not otherwise experience jazz, while also exciting seasoned fans of the genre.” 

Further programme announcements will be made soon, along with the launch of ticket sales, which will be available at durhamjazzfestival.co.uk.

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