Take a moment to get to know some of this year’s performers, and click the links to see them in action!
Hejira: Celebrating Joni Mitchell
Hejira is a 7-piece band set up to celebrate and honour the ‘Shadows and Light’ jazz period of Joni Mitchell’s illustrious career.
After recording her classic jazz-infused albums of the late ‘70s, ‘The Hissing of Summer Lawns’, ‘Hejira’, ‘Don Juan’s Reckless Daughter’ and ‘Mingus’ (regarded as her ‘jazz period’), Joni toured with a band formed from the crème de la crème of jazz musicians of that time – Metheny, Mays, Brecker, Pastorius and Alias.
The tour was recorded, producing the outstanding live album, ‘Shadows And Light’; it is from this album that the band Hejira draws the body of its repertoire. With an acclaimed performance at London Jazz Festival in 2023, we can’t wait for them to be in Leyburn!
Jim Mullen Organ Trio
We’re delighted to welcome UK jazz royalty to Leyburn! Jim is widely regarded as one of the finest jazz guitarists in Europe, and his organ trio is not to be missed!
Glasgow born, multi award-winning guitarist Jim has worked and recorded in a 60 year career with top US and UK artists including Jimmy Smith, Mose Allison, Terry Callier, Georgie Fame, Claire Martin, Van Morrison.
Jim shared a 15 year partnership with saxophonist Dick Morrissey in much loved UK band Morrissey Mullen throughout the late 70’s and 80’s and played with The Average White Band.
Alligator Gumbo
Click to watch Alligator Gumbo
It simply wouldn’t be Leyburn Jazz Festival without these guys! Back for a 4th time, they get better and better every time.
Tickets are sure to sell out quickly, so don’t delay booking for this exciting 7-piece band, based in Leeds and 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.
Zoe Gilby & Andy Champion
Parliamentary Awards Jazz Vocalist of the Year 2019, Zoe Gilby brings her amazing talent to Leyburn in 2024, in an innovative vocals and bass duo with her double bassist husband Andy Champion.
This exceptional pairing create an electrifying soundscape in this beautifully integrated music. Breathing fresh life into the familiar as well as heading off to the uncharted. Their approach is bold, hypnotic and mesmerizing. Interacting and infiltrating one another’s sound. Removing the boundaries, exploring space and time with just voice and double bass. This exciting project has been taking audiences by storm throughout the UK and Europe.
Nicola Farnon Trio
Widely recognised as one of the classiest Jazz and Swing singers and double bassists in the UK, songwriter and multi-instrumentalist Nicola has played and recorded with such jazz luminaries as Digby Fairweather, Jim Mullen, Bruce Adams and Alan Barnes. On stage Nicola 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
Worth Valley Hot 7 plus Ruth Gardziel
Featuring vocalist Ruth Gardziel, this classic trad jazz group are guaranteed to put a smile on your face and get your toes tapping!
Regulars at clubs and festivals all across the country, we’re looking forward to the Hot 7 closing the festival in our now traditional Sunday afternoon trad finale!
Yorkshire Gypsy Swing Collective
We’re delighted to have this wonderful band with us for their second appearance at Leyburn! Featuring some of the region’s hottest gypsy jazz and swing players, playing music inspired from legendary musicians Django Reinhardt and Stephane Grappelli of the “Quintette du Hot Club de France”, and more!
Expect fiery solos, foot-stomping rhythms, burning ballads and even some jazz standards to sing along to. The collective remains in the spirit of Django and Stephane, whilst pushing the genre of “gypsy jazz” forward into the modern sphere.
Edison Herbert Trio
Edison is a Leyburn favourite and we’re delighted he’s back in 2024. He’s played solo, duo and as a quartet and this time it’s a trio! He plays from the heart, likes to mix things up, blending standards with his own compositions.
Mentored by George Benson, he’s got a growing reputation for engaging grooves, sensitive ballads and for shedding fresh light on the familiar.
Simon O'Byrne
Simon is a virtuoso guitarist and singer who will be performing music and songs from the golden age of jazz, inspired by the style and finesse of the great Django Reinhardt and the music of the Hot Club de Paris and by the spirit and verve of Jazz Manouche and Gypsy Jazz.
Jack Pearce Quartet
Since appearing at the first LJF, saxophonist Jack has graduated from Leeds Conservatoire and is starting to make waves on the UK jazz scene. With a style heavily influenced by post bop and modern players, he’s bringing a talented quartet to Leyburn.
Having gigged extensively in the UK and around Eastern Europe, Jack returns to Leyburn Jazz Festival with a new band playing a mix of classic standards and original compositions.