Jazz at The Lescar, Sheffield updated Autumn schedule.

The Lescar Hotel in Sheffield is set to be a vibrant hub for jazz enthusiasts this autumn, with an updated slate of performances running from October to December 2026. The venue's schedule showcases a broad spectrum of jazz styles and innovative collaborations, highlighting both emerging talents and established artists from the UK jazz scene.

Kicking off on October 14, the programme features a double bill with London-based duo Balladeste and the ensemble baleine. Balladeste, comprising violinist Preetha Narayanan and cellist Tara Franks, are known for their intricate fusion of contemporary and Indian classical motifs alongside baroque and folk elements. Their music, blending improvisation with composed structures, is poised to preview material from their forthcoming fourth album, 'Imprints,' scheduled for release in November.

Joining them, baleine presents a quartet melding electronic and acoustic textures. The group, integrating pedal harp, drums, saxophones, clarinets, piano, and electronics, explores layered soundscapes that oscillate between ambient sound design and dynamic improvisation, offering a sonic experience that evolves through loops and rhythmic variations.

The following week, on October 21, the Magpie Trio brings a fresh perspective to jazz standards. This London-based group—featuring drummer Sam Jesson, bassist Tom Farmer, and saxophonist George Crowley—delivers interpretations infused with rhythmic vitality and inventive arrangements inspired by jazz legends such as Ahmad Jamal, Sonny Rollins, and Duke Ellington.

October 28 spotlights an intimate set by Martin Pyne and Michael Bardon, joined by pianist Laura Cole. Pyne’s expertise on vibraphone and balafon complements Bardon’s double bass, while Cole’s piano enriches the trio’s interplay. Their music emphasizes subtle tonalities and spacious arrangements, creating an atmosphere ripe with lyrical depth and textured counterpoints.

November opens with guitarist Harry Christelis leading a quartet that blends jazz with folk influences and ambient electronics. Alongside saxophonist George Crowley, double bassist Andrea Di Biase, and drummer Dave Storey, Christelis crafts immersive soundscapes characterized by hypnotic drones, intricate textures, and shifting dynamics that balance tranquility with energetic bursts.

On November 11, a highly anticipated duo performance features pianist Robert Mitchell and vibraphonist Corey Mwamba. With a collaborative history spanning three decades, the pair is renowned for their deep improvisational dialogue, combining poetic composition and virtuosic expression. The concert precedes their upcoming album release, promising a richly layered and compelling sonic exploration.

The schedule continues with a November 18 double bill including Sylvie and Ursula, though specific details about the acts remain limited. Later in the month, on November 25, a trio of Maddalena Ghezzi, Ruth Goller, and Maria Chiara Argirò offers another opportunity to engage with contemporary jazz voices.

December’s programme includes performances by LEDLEY and balo on the 9th, with additional gigs slated for December 2 and 16, though those lineups have not been disclosed. The Lescar Hotel’s address at 303 Sharrow Vale Road situates it within Sheffield’s cultural fabric, providing an accessible venue for jazz aficionados to experience a curated autumn season.

This carefully curated autumn lineup not only celebrates a variety of jazz idioms—from classical-infused duos and electronic improvisations to reinterpretations of jazz standards and original compositions—but also underscores The Lescar Hotel’s commitment to fostering a dynamic live music environment. Audiences can anticipate a rich tapestry of sound and creativity reflective of the evolving British jazz landscape.