The Birchfield Jazz Festival is a celebratory weekend of free live music based at the popular St Mary’s Church in Handsworth Birmingham in the month of July. Following a successful launch in 2017, the festival returns in 2018, and you’re invited!

Make space in your calendar for two fun-filled, jazz inspired days where you’ll be presented with an array of talented, awe inspiring, compelling, award winning musicians and artists, ready to bring this popular genre of music to your doorstep!

Friday 27th July and Saturday 28th of July should take pride of place in your diaries this year as you secure a place at Birmingham’s first festival dedicated to the Birchfield area and beyond.

Last year’s event gave us unforgettable performances from the amazing Birmingham Conservatoire Jazz Group, the funky African Roots Fusion band, Scottish trumpeter Christo’s Stylianides, the melodic Italian double bassist and composer Sebastiano Dessana and much much more.

This year’s event is going to be just as big. Acts already announced include the acclaimed musician Milton Godfrey, local girl Melody Madurie Jones, the impressive Jim Bashford Trio, the fun loving Heavy Beat Brass Band and a special performance from a group of young performers, who will be re-telling a selection of stories from elders within the Birchfield community – a compelling project not to be missed.

Founded by and award-winning musicians Lekan Babalola and Kate Luxmoore through the Ifa Yoruba Contemporary Arts Trust, this jazz inspired weekend aims to showcase accomplished musicians and the diversity they represent as well as giving us an opportunity to join in and celebrate their musical roots and Jazz influences.

As professional musicians themselves who have worked across many genres of music, with Lekan receiving two Grammy Awards for his work with Jazz Diva Cassandra Wilson and Blues Legend Ali Farka Toure, both Kate and Lekan want the festival to champion Jazz in its broadest sense and encourage access to its different styles and genres.

The talented duo also want to showcase local talent and help to nurture the next generation, which they have begun to do through their programme of holiday arts activities for young people in Birchfield in association with the Birchfield Big Local.

2018 will see the incarnation of the Birchfield Jazz Festival Ensemble which provides an opportunity for young musicians in the city of Birmingham to learn the intricacies of Jazz and its various genres, culminating in a performance at the festival itself. This aims to give young musicians a unique chance to work with seasoned artists from a variety of musically diverse backgrounds.

Ready to book your FREE tickets? Great! Visit our ‘Ticket’ page and grab yourself a spot before they’re all gone.

For more information on this year’s extraordinary performers, visit our dedicated ‘Line-up’ page.

We’re always happy to answer any questions you have, so either visit our ‘FAQ’ page or get in touch directly via our ‘Contact’ page.