Cambridge Jazz Festival (9-23 Nov) is returning for its 11th edition – with 40 events (all listed day-by-day below, plus a link for timings, details and bookings), 15 venues, and “a lineup that blends legends, future stars, and global talent.”
OFFICIAL FESTIVAL HEADLINERS
* Courtney Pine CBE (Saffron Hall, 21 Nov)
*Tanita Tikaram (Saffron Hall, 16 Nov)
*Theon Cross – (9 Nov) – his concert will “launch a brand-new venue”, Arts Club Cambridge Bridge House, (entrance between 16A/17 Bridge Street CB2 1UF) – there is also a pre-festival event there.
ARTIST IN RESIDENCE – ORPHY ROBINSON
Orphy Robinson MBE who is a visiting fellow at Jesus College has a first time role as Artist in Residence and will be hosting an improvisation workshop, and a concert with CUJO at West Road
Official blurb: “ At the heart of this year’s festival is Orphy Robinson MBE, a trailblazing multi-instrumentalist, composer and one of the few British musicians to record with the legendary Blue Note Records. Orphy brings decades of influence and innovation to Cambridge in a multifaceted role as Artist-in-Residence and Visiting Fellow of Jesus College Cambridge. His appearance includes an exclusive headline show with the Cambridge University Jazz Orchestra (CUJO), a high-level improvisation workshop, and contributions throughout the festival, ensuring an artistic thread that weaves through the entire 2025 programme. “This year’s festival promises an unforgettable journey through the vibrant heart of the UK music scene,” says Orphy Robinson MBE. “Expect a thrilling 360° experience, bursting with layers of artistry and creativity that capture the true spirit of our times.” (ends)
PROMOTING FEMALE MUSICIANS
The festival also has a specific mission to promote female artists and bandleaders. Blurb: “Female headliners redefining jazz stardom. The festival proudly continues its commitment to showcasing exceptional women in jazz”
Note a rare UK appearance by Alex Ridout (see recent in-depth feature by Morgan Enos), the visit of Stella Cole to Saffron Hall as part of a European tour, and an appearance by Shirley Smart, who has just taken up a new role of Jazz Musician in Residence at St John’s College.
STATEMENT:
Roslin Russell, whose dynamism has been a major driving force behind the festival for more than a decade, says: “This is more than a festival. It’s a movement to bridge communities, generations and genres, placing jazz in conversation with the world today.”
A DAY-BY-DAY GUIDE TO CAMBRIDGE JAZZ FESTIVAL 2025
(for timings/bookings follow link below)
(Press pre-opening)Wednesday 5th Nov Phil Stevenson Trio – The LAB Cambridge
Sunday 9th Nov – Theon Cross x NYJO – Arts Club Cambridge
Wednesday 12th Nov – Heart of Noise – Cambridge Junction J3
Thursday 13th Nov – John Etheridge Blue Spirits Trio – Cambridge Modern Jazz, Hidden Rooms, Jesus Lane
Thursday 13th Nov Cambridge Funk Jam at La Raza
Thursday 13th Nov Sam Miles & Tim Boniface’s Hard Bop Hang – The LAB Cambridge
Thursday 13th Nov – Vij Prakash / Phil Stevenson Duo – The Architect
Friday 14th Nov J.A.M. String Collective – Hot Numbers, Gwydir Street
Friday 14th Nov – Shirley Smart & Robert Mitchell – The Kellaway Concert Series St Catharine’s College Chapel
Friday 14th Nov – Little North, Hidden Rooms, Jesus Lane
Saturday 15th Nov “Freedom – the art of improvisation” Orphy Robinson Frankopan Theatre, Jesus College
Saturday 15th Nov Evan Parker – Queens College Chapel
Saturday 15th Nov The Brass Funkeys – Cambridge Junction J2
Saturday 15th Nov Stella Cole – Saffron Hall
Sunday 16th Nov Chora Cambridge – The Devonshire Arms
Sunday 16th Nov Orphy Robinson & CUJO West Road Concert Hall
Sunday 16th Nov – Andy Bowie Quartet plays ‘Wayne & Trane’ – The Tram Depot
Sunday 16th Nov Downpipe – Elm Tree
Sunday 16th Nov – Offbeat Science – Cambridge Junction J
Sunday 16th Nov – Tanita Tikaram – Saffron Hall
Tuesday 18th Nov Cambridge Jazz Jam – The Tram Depot
Tuesday 18th Nov – Ted Morcaldi’s Celestial Stranger – The Geldart
Wednesday 19th Nov – Popup Speakeasy – Newnham Social Club
Wednesday 19th Nov Q3 – The Tram Depot
Wednesday 19th Nov – Tim Boniface & James Pearson Quartet ‘Oscar at 100: Oscar Peterson and the Saxes part 2’ Old Hall, Girton College
Thursday 20th Nov Cong-Fusion – The Portland Arms
Thursday 20th Nov – Robin Phillips’ ‘Harry, New Orleans, & Me’ – Gonville Hotel
Thursday 20th Nov Cambridge Funk Jam La Raza
Thursday 20th Nov – Alexandra Ridout Quartet – Cambridge Modern Jazz, Hidden Rooms
Friday 21st Nov – Flanagan/Creese/Brown – Hot Numbers, Gwydir Street
Friday 21st Nov – Nigel Price Trio – The Roastery, Shepreth
Friday 21st Nov – oreglo + support – Clare College Cellars
Friday 21st Nov Courtney Pine – Saffron Hall
Saturday 22nd Nov – Phil Meadows Cambridge Jazz Coop, William Collyn Community Centre
Saturday 22nd Nov – Upbeat Big Band + Linton Jazz Orchestra – Storey’s Field Centre
Saturday 22nd Nov – Schools Jazz Concert – Storey’s Field Centre
Saturday 22nd Nov Cores Do Samba – Newnham Social Club
Sunday 23rd Nov Choir Workshop with Andi Hopgood – Storey’s Field Centre
Sunday 23rd Nov – Andy Bowie Quartet plays ‘The Sax Tradition’ – The Tram Depot
Sunday 23rd Nov The Geldart Jazz Sessions The Geldart
Sunday 23rd Nov Fergus McCreadie Churchill College Chapel
Cambridge Jazz Festival is supported by: Cambridge BID