Cambridge Jazz Festival 2026 - Line-up announced.

The Cambridge Jazz Festival is scheduled to return in November 2026, spanning two weeks of performances across multiple venues throughout the city. Running from the 12th to the 25th, the festival promises a broad showcase of jazz styles, highlighting both emerging talents and established artists from the UK scene.

Kicking off the festival, the innovative trio Quanta, led by cellist Shirley Smart, performs on November 13 at Jazz at Johns in All Saints Passage. The group is notable for its fusion of classical repertoire with improvisational elements across jazz and folk, blending original compositions with a modern piano trio format. Violinist Dominic Ingham and pianist Ben Smith join Smart to create an ensemble recognized for pushing genre boundaries.

The festival continues with a trio of performances on November 15, also at Jazz at Johns. Pianist Olivia Trummer will present a morning set showcasing her distinct style. Later that day, the José Almarcha Trio features guitarist José Almarcha alongside pianist Andre JahJah and percussionist Demi García Sabat, promising a dynamic exploration of jazz guitar-led compositions.

That evening, Josephine Davies, appointed the festival’s Artist in Residence, will collaborate with the Cambridge University Jazz Orchestra (CUJO) at the West Road Concert Hall. This partnership blends Davies’s vocal artistry with the orchestra’s orchestral jazz arrangements, adding an academic and creative depth to the event.

The midweek program includes the Andy Sheppard Trio performing on November 17 at the Howard Theatre in Downing College. With Sheppard on tenor and soprano saxophones, Italian pianist Rita Marcotulli, and double bassist Michel Benita, the trio represents a refined, melodic approach to modern jazz.

Community engagement is evident with the Eleventh Hour Jazz Orchestra appearing on November 20 at Storeys Field Centre. This grassroots ensemble showcases young, rising musicians, signaling the festival’s commitment to nurturing new talent alongside its headline acts.

A highlight of the festival is the return of Ferg’s Imaginary Big Band on November 21 at Junction J2. Known for its 32-piece lineup, the band is celebrated for its energetic performances and genre-defying arrangements, making it one of the festival’s highly anticipated shows.

The penultimate day features Emma Rawicz’s Cloudwalker project at Storeys Field Centre on November 22. Rawicz, who served as the festival’s Artist in Residence in 2023, brings a reflective and expressive voice to the Cambridge stage once more.

Concluding the festival on November 25 is the acclaimed UK jazz musician Corto.Alto, performing at Junction J1. His appearance marks the finale of the festival, underscoring the event’s dedication to showcasing leading voices in contemporary jazz.

Tickets for all performances are available through the official Cambridge Jazz Festival website. While the full schedule illustrates a rich cross-section of jazz traditions and innovations, further details on supporting events and workshops have yet to be disclosed. The festival’s diverse program underscores Cambridge’s growing reputation as a vibrant hub for jazz culture, bringing together established artists, scholars, and emerging musicians in a city-wide celebration.

Taken together, the 2026 Cambridge Jazz Festival’s lineup reflects a balanced blend of classical influences, contemporary improvisation, and large ensemble excitement. This positions the event as a significant date on the UK jazz calendar, promising audiences an immersive and varied musical journey across one of England’s historic university towns.