artists
Ian Shaw & Tony Kofi Quartet
Northern Swing Orchestra
Alligator Gumbo
We welcome back this amazing band for another great night at LJF. If you’ve not yet seen them, Alligator Gumbo is an exciting 7-piece band based in Leeds, inspired by the sights and sounds of New Orleans jazz and blues. Performing extensively around the UK since 2011, the band continues to wow audiences far and wide with their good-natured mix of foot-stomping rhythms and toe-tapping tunes.
Paul Edis & Vasilis Xenopoulos Quartet
Two of the UK’s most exciting jazz musicians, saxophonist Vasilis Xenopoulos and pianist Paul Edis, began playing together 20 years ago, when they had both relocated to West London to study. Originally from Greece, Vasilis had just finished studying at Berklee College in the US, whilst Paul had moved South from the Northeast of England. In the intervening years they’ve played numerous gigs together. Their latest recording , ‘Feels Like Home’ has received glowing reviews from around the world. “World-class” Los Angeles Jazz Scene
Hot Club du Nord
Festival favourites Emma Fisk and Hot Club du Nord are back for another year! Expect a feelgood selection of popular songs, jazz standards and originals as performed by Reinhardt & Grappelli’s Hot Club de France during the 1930s and 40s. You can expect fresh, inspired interpretations of the material as well as recreations of some of the delightful arrangements from the original recordings. A treat for connoisseurs of swinging, string jazz and lovers of all things vintage!
Alexia Gardner Quintet
Alexia Gardner, international jazz vocalist and recording artist, returned to the UK in the Summer of 2023 after years of performing and recording in South East Asia, Europe and United States. Grammy Award nominated as ‘Best Newcomer’ and ‘Best Vocal Jazz Album’ in 2011, she leads a dynamic and swinging quintet based in the North East, making a name for themselves playing Great American Songbook standards and popular tunes.
Pedigree Jazz Band
We are delighted to welcome back this superb trad jazz outfit. Their performance at the first LJF is still fondly remembered! The Pedigree Jazz band is a traditional jazz group that has toured their ‘Salute to Trad Show‘ for the last 10 years. For their 2025 tours the band are broadening the selection of numbers to include jazz, jive and swing.
Nicola Farnon Trio
A huge hit at LJF last year, and widely recognised as one of the classiest jazz and swing singers and double bassists in the UK. Nicola Farnon is a class act with a passionate and swinging style, outstanding personality and a charismatic stage presence to match – with an uncanny ability to adapt her performance to captivate and embrace any audience
Jack Pearce Quintet
The Jack Pearce Quintet showcases Jack’s original compositions that pay homage to jazz traditions while injecting a fresh, inventive spirit. A band of Leeds Conservatoire Alumni, the Jack Pearce Quintet focuses on melodic and technical excellence. Strong rhythms underpin vibrant, playful melodies creating a fusion complimentary to both traditional and modern jazz.
Joseph Carville Trio
The Trio has been performing together since 2019, blending Joseph’s piano with Allan Peat on upright bass and Mark Rayner on drums, delivering the melodies of the Great American Songbook with energy. All three are North East natives. After six years of growth, they remain committed to their music and their journey together.
Jazz Eucharist with Light My Choir
The exciting Light My Choir – Wensleydale Community Gospel Choir, present popular and traditional gospel tunes as part of a Jazz Eucharist.
There is no charge for tickets for the service or concert, but donations are requested towards the choir and festival expenses.