Guildford Jazz & Soul Festival promises a vibrant celebration of community and culture

Is jazz your jam or is soul more your scene? Let the music move you at this year’s Guildford Jazz & Soul Festival running throughout September 2026.

From Guildford Castle to local cafes and bars, the smooth, sultry sounds of Guildford Jazz & Soul Festival will play out in the vibrant town-wide showcase of world-class music when it returns for another year.

Opening up the festival on Thursday 3 September are The Steve Waterman Octet who are celebrating Miles (Davis), one of the most iconic and acclaimed figures in the history of jazz. Join the all-star line-up at Guildford Pavilion to celebrate this legend.

Salsa and Latin jazz comes from The Mantecas on Saturday 5, who’ll be entertaining with their high-energy performance in the surroundings of Guildford Castle. Take along your favourite tipple and a picnic and join the party.

Alan Barnes and David Newton serve up a very special lunchtime concert on Monday 7 at The Guildford Institute, before on Friday 11, there’s a change in tempo at The Boileroom from Dele Sosimi who is at the heart of the global Afrobeat scene, combining a blend of complex funk grooves, traditional Nigerian music and African percussion with an underlying sense of jazz.

Hejira, a seven-piece band fronted by vocalist Hattie Whitehead, are Celebrating Joni Mitchell at the University of Surrey on Friday 18, while there’s a welcome return for Guildford-born saxophonist Iain Ballamy to Guildford Pavilion on Wednesday 23.

The final main event of the festival comes at St Nicholas Church on Friday 25 when the CK Gospel Choir entertain with their outstanding close harmonies and infectious energy.

The festival also includes several free events at various local venues, a particular highlight being the return of the Alvar Tree Frogs on Saturday 19 for an afternoon of joyous New Orleans jazz in the historic courtyard of Abbots Hospital in Guildford High Street.

There’s also a jazz cocktail hour to enjoy with Jo Fooks and Deirdre Cartwright at Guildford Townhouse, on Sunday 6, the Debby Bracknell Quarter at Cosy Club on Thursday 10, a night at Shardana Italian restaurant with the Varley Parker Quintet on Monday 21 and acoustic soul and jazz from Emily Windham Quartet at Roges Bar on Saturday 26 September 2026.

The Guildford Jazz and Soul Festival brings the joy of live music to new listeners and old friends while supporting local venues across town in this celebration of community and culture.

For more details or to book tickets for paid-for events, visit guildfordjazz.org.uk.

Share