Mercury nominees, big band legends and UK debuts: Full lineup announced for Marsden Jazz Festival

(Press release - Image © David Preston)

The full lineup has been announced for one of the jazz circuit’s best-loved festivals and, as ever, it’s a heady mix of classic and cutting edge, world-class and family friendly (often all at the same time).

Marsden Jazz Festival, which earlier this year made it through to the final of the prestigious Parliamentary Jazz Awards, celebrates its 28th year and takes place on 11-13 October 2019 in the beautiful Pennine village of Marsden. 

The Mercury Prize-nominated SEED Ensemble prove the festival’s nose for an up-and-comer (it also booked Mercury-nominee Dinosaur in 2017). Combining jazz with inner-city London, West African and Caribbean influenced groove, the SEED Ensemble (Sun 13 Oct) is led by alto saxophonist and composer Cassie Kinoshi and celebrates the vibrant and distinctive diversity that has influenced British culture and is something the festival is delighted to celebrate. 

The festival takes place across more than 20 venues and more than 60 free events. Other highlights include Snake Davis (Sun 13 Oct), one of the most in-demand rock, jazz and soul sax players in the world, (known for solos on Lisa Stansfield’s Change and M-People’s Search For A Hero). He appears with the Snake Davis Trio on the final day of the festival on the main concert stage at Marsden Parochial Hall. 

The New Stream programme features gigs from acts such as improvisational jazz trio Taupe (Sat 12 Oct) and the UK debut for Dutch trombonist Wolter Wierbos (Sat 12 Oct) and there are free gigs from the likes of Nishla Smith (Sat 12 Oct), one of Manchester’s finest young contemporary improvisers, and the vibrant, infectious grooves of Martin Speake’s Charukesi . 

“This year we’ve programmed artists who are making waves in the jazz world,” says artistic director Barney Stevenson, “but we have also spent a lot of time ensuring the festival is as accessible as possible to everyone.”

To this end, the festival has its own special blend of ticketed and free events, featuring a wide range of local talent, the ever-popular market in the park and a brand-new street food venue at St Bartholomew's Church. 

The entire digital programme is available here.