Lincoln Jazz Festival 2024

Friday 19 July, 7.30pm – 9.45pm. Two sets with an interval.

James Taylor Quartet

Nave

For nearly four decades, the James Taylor Quartet has set the standard for the coolest sounds in live, funky Hammond organ-driven jazz, through dozens of albums and legendary live gigs. In a career embracing jazz, soul, rock, funk, classical orchestration and cathedral organs James’s fascination for classic detective and action movie soundtracks saw him contribute ‘Austin’s Theme’ for the Austin Powers film franchise, while their ‘Starsky & Hutch’ theme treatment was a club hit. Appearing with everyone from the Pogues, U2 and Manic Street Preachers to Tom Jones, James still sings in his local Rochester Choral Society and has a separate life as a psychotherapist! Expect a treat from this scintillating band.

James Taylor (organ), Mark Cox (guitar), Andrew McKinney (bass), and Pat Illingworth (drums)

Gig sponsored by White Hart Hotel

Saturday 20 July, 12.30pm – 1.15pm FREE

Jazz Carnival Parade with Kinetika Bloco

Cathedral grounds and Dean’s Green

London-based performance group Kinetika Bloco’s exuberant mix of young brass and woodwind players, drummers, steel pannists and dancers, all in costume, will create a Jazz Carnival in Lincoln! Following workshops, students from Caistor Yarborough Academy and William Farr Welton schools will be part of the parade – some playing instruments for the first time! – creating a celebratory explosion of rhythm and joy! After appearances at Notting Hill Carnival, the London Marathon, the Beijing Olympics and for Nelson Mandela, as well as in Brazil, Cape Town, Oslo and New Orleans, Kinetika Bloco bring their world to Lincoln!

Saturday 20 July, 2.00pm – 3.15pm

Kinetika Bloco ‘Legacy’ Band

Chapter House 

Kinetika Bloco’s ‘Legacy’ album was created and produced in 2021 by its alumni, members of the Kinetika Bloco ‘family’ who now lead the way on the UK jazz scene (they have included 2023 Mercury Prize Winners Ezra Collective). This exciting ‘Legacy’ performance is by a current ensemble of professional working musicians.

Saturday 20 July, 3.45pm – 5.00pm

Antonio Forcione Trio

Chapter House

From the moment Antonio walks on stage, smile on his face, guitar in hand, you sense the magic. The Italian guitarist plays a vibrant and original blend of jazz, Latin, African and flamenco sounds, with ferocious, rampaging and controlled power, precision and clarity. Laugh and be moved as this trio, with Matheus Nova on bass and percussionist Jansen Santana, celebrates life with delicacy, humour and no little passion. Astonishing musical personality.

Saturday 20 July, 5.15pm – 7.00pm. Booking required

Festival Dinner at the Cathedral Café

Cathedral Café 

Complete your Jazz Festival experience with a delicious meal in Lincoln Cathedral Café. Great food, good company and a friendly atmosphere combine to create the perfect evening between concerts. Full menu details to follow.

Booking is essential, for enquiries and to reserve your place please contact the café on 01522 561654 or kieran@meadowbrownrestaurants.com

Saturday 20 July, 7.00pm – 8.15pm

Ian Shaw

Chapter House

We are delighted to welcome the talented, many-faceted and multi-award-winning jazz vocalist Ian Shaw. His intimate and highly entertaining solo performances at the piano are funny and beguiling, but always heartfelt, featuring great songs. From his Alternative Cabaret circuit beginnings, to international success as a jazz musician in richly varied company to radio presenter, stand-up comedian and more, Ian brings a rich repertoire and broad references!

Saturday 20 July, 8.45pm – 10.30pm

Joe Locke Quartet

Chapter House

From New York, and widely recognised as the finest living vibes player, Joe is backed today by the talented Scottish trio of Peter Johnstone (piano), Calum Gourlay (bass) and Alyn Cosker (drums). He’s a versatile and charismatic soloist capable of stunning physical power and emotional range with the technique and feel to play cool and funky or heady and relaxed, with a pristine tone, delightful ideas and huge enthusiasm. Quite a treat!

Sunday 21 July, 10.30am – 11.45am FREE

Jazz Eucharist Service

St Hugh’s Choir

Featuring Tom Cawley, Gareth Lockrane, Andrew Wood and Martyn Spencer with the Lincoln Cathedral Consort and members of the Cathedral Choir under Musical Director Aric Prentice. This popular and successful collaboration brings a jazz feel to the service, featuring these top jazz musicians.

All Cathedral services are free to enter and there is no need to book a ticket for the Jazz Eucharist.

Sunday 21 July, 12noon – 1.15pm

Nicola Farnon Trio

Chapter House

A remarkably warm and engaging presence, Nicola is a fine singer, natural entertainer and an outstanding swinging, propulsive bass player who has played with many jazz luminaries. Her versatile trio, featuring pianist Piero Tucci and Phil Johnson on drums, packs a mighty punch. Relax and enjoy!

Sunday 21 July, 1.45pm – 3.00pm

Andrew Baker Quartet, featuring Dennis Rollins

Chapter House 

Saxophonist and composer Andrew studied at the Royal Conservatoire of Scotland under Tommy Smith and Julian Arguelles. Embracing straight-ahead, modern styles and vibrant, fearless, ensemble improvisation he has played with the who’s who of jazz musicians. The festival’s Artistic Director trombonist Dennis Rollins MBE will guest with the band.

Sunday 21 July, 3.30pm – 4.45pm

Lighthouse Trio

Chapter House

Tim Garland and Jason Rebello closed our 2023 festival to a standing ovation. Now we welcome saxophonist and composer Garland back with Lighthouse Trio. Featuring pianist Gwilym Simcock and drummer Asaf Sirkis, they are celebrating the trio’s 20^th anniversary and ambitious new project ‘Moment of Departure’. Exploring the boundaries between composition and improvisation the trio “creates music that is absorbing, profound and rewarding,” says broadcaster Alyn Shipton. A gig to savour.

Sunday 21 July, 5.15pm – 6.30pm

Jay Phelps Sextet

Chapter House 

London-based Canadian trumpeter Jay Phelps presents an exceptional show that brings together the best of Miles Davis from 1958 and 1959. Prior to the 1959 release of the groundbreaking Kind of Blue album, Miles was already busy in the studio with the same extraordinary line-up: Cannonball Adderley, John Coltrane, Bill Evans, Wynton Kelly, Paul Chambers and Jimmy Cobb. The year before Kind of Blue, he released ’58 Miles, setting the stage for the best-selling jazz album of all time the following year.

Sunday 21 July, 7.00pm – 8.15pm

Tom Cawley and Gareth Lockrane

Chapter House 

Regular collaborators since 1997, leading pianist Tom Cawley is reunited with flautist extraordinaire Gareth Lockrane, a busy freelancer on the London scene, big band leader and exciting and inventive soloist bringing the flute back in fashion. Lincoln-born Tom’s CV is as long as your arm, and we look forward to a dazzling and unpredictable show, with a sense of fun.

Sunday 21 July, 8.45pm–10.30pm

Hejira – Celebrating Joni Mitchell

The Chapter House 

This seven-piece band celebrates and honours Joni Mitchell’s masterpieces from her late ‘70s ‘jazz period’ – to rave reviews! After ‘The Hissing of Sumer Lawns’, ‘Hejira’, ‘Don Juan’s Reckless Daughter’ and ‘Mingus’, Joni toured with a band featuring the best contemporary jazz musicians, including Metheny, Pastorius and Brecker, producing a live album of that outstanding tour ‘Shadows and Light’ which underpins this show. The brilliant vocalist Hattie Whitehead assimilates Mitchell’s distinctive vocal and guitar-playing but in her own style, supported by guitarist Pete Oxley and a superb band for an emotional festival finale.