Celebrate 35 years of jazz in Swanage 10-12th July
Celebrate 35 years of Jazz in Swanage with another wide ranging programme featuring everything from New Orleans Jazz to contemporary. The programme includes a mix of Jazz legends and rising stars.
Marking the 100th birthdays of Jazz legends
Part of the programme celebrates three major jazz anniversaries, including the 100th birthdays of legends Miles Davis and John Coltrane. Organiser Paul Kelly says it would have been impossible not to mark the occasion. Swanage will feature two Miles Davis concerts – one exploring his electric jazz era led by trumpeter Andy Urquhart, and another focusing on his orchestral work with Steve Waterman and his Octet.
John Coltrane is honoured with a quintet recreating his album with vocalist Johnny Hartman, featuring acclaimed singer Marvin Muoneké (see photo above) and festival favourite Mark Lockhart on tenor sax.
2026 also marks the centenary of celebrated British pianist Stan Tracey with a performance of his iconic ‘Under Milk Wood’, led by his drummer son Clark Tracey and featuring two narrators. Expect theatrics.
Poll Winners abound!
The Festival features several recent Poll Winners.
The extraordinary guitarist Rob Luft, winner of Jazz Instrumentalist of the Year in the UK All Party Parliamentary Jazz Award appears twice, once with trumpeter Chris Batchelor and once with his own ‘Dahab Days’ Quartet.
Saxist Donovan Haffner winner of the Jazz Newcomer of the Year in the same awards and nominee in Jazz FM’s Breakthrough Act of the Year appears in the swinging Jazz-soul outfit Asa Parkinson and The Outlet.
The delightful trumpeter and vocalist Olivia Cuttill, winner of the APPJA Martin Hummel award appears with her quintet.
Jazz FM vocalist of the year nominee Marvin Muoneké is featured.
And former Mercury Prize nominee Joe Webb also appears with his trio – you may have seen his extraordinary piano playing on ‘Later with Jools’.
Full programme at Swanage Jazz Festival
The 2026 Swanage Jazz Festival once again features a packed programme of favourites and returning stars. American saxophonist Greg Abate (ex-Ray Charles) returns alongside crowd favourite Craig Milverton, whose Oscar Peterson-style piano earned a standing ovation last year. Guitarist Nigel Price is back with his Hammond organ-driven hard bop trio, while singer Jo Harrop returns to The Mowlem Theatre following her successful tour with Gregory Porter. Soft Machine guitarist John Etheridge also returns with violinist Christian Garrick for an evening of Hot Club swing.
Other highlights include prog-rock drummer Bill Bruford performing with the Pete Roth Trio, and saxophonist Alex Clarke’s tribute to Phil Woods featuring David Newton and legendary bassist Dave Green. Alan Barnes also returns with an unusual drum-free line-up featuring fellow saxophonist Robert Fowler.
The festival’s New Orleans programme returns to a marquee on Sandpit Field, featuring The Bateman Brothers’ tribute to Louis Armstrong, John Maddocks Jazzmen, Riviera Ramblers, Roger Marks’ Riviera Five and The Hot House Combo. The programme closes with The Pete Allen Big Jazz Band.
Friday night sees festival debut performances from saxophonist Kim Cypher and soul-jazz group Asa Martinson and The Outlet, while Steely Jazz bring their distinctive take on the music of Steely Dan to The Mowlem Theatre.
