The EFG London Jazz Festival kicks off in spectacular style on Friday, 10 November at the Royal Festival Hall with Jazz Voice. This year’s Jazz Voice promises to be very special, as to celebrate the 15th anniversary milestone, arranger and composer Guy Barker has invited back some of his favourite vocalists from the show’s 15-year history. The star-studded line-up includes China Moses, Omar, Brendan Reilly, Judi Jackson, Naomi Banks and Vanessa Haynes. Emeli Sandé will also make an exclusive guest appearance ahead of her debut headline show at the Festival.
The opening night gala evening Jazz Voice is always the first show in the EFG Elements Series, four shows we handpick every year in conjunction with the organisers Serious, to reflect the richness and diversity of the Festival programme.
The other shows in the EFG Elements Series include influential American artist Marcus Miller, who is joined by the talented young London based saxophonist Camilla George on Sunday, 12 November at the Royal Festival Hall; in addition, one of the most successful Brazilian legends of all time, Sérgio Mendes, brings his joyful style of music to the Barbican on Wednesday, 15 November. The series closes with a salute to the life and musical legacy of the great jazz visionary Wayne Shorter in ‘The Symphonic Music of Wayne Shorter’ on Sunday, 19 November at the Royal Festival Hall.
In 2023, the EFG London Jazz Festival programme celebrates the timeless influence of some of the most iconic global jazz stars whilst simultaneously looking to the future and the next generation of aspiring young artists. Highlights include nine-time GRAMMY award winner Norah Jones, legendary jazz bassist Ron Carter, young singing sensation Samara Joy, renowned American drummer Makaya McCraven together with the London Contemporary Orchestra, vocalist and storyteller Cécile McLorin Salvant, the Avishai Cohen Quartet who join forces with Emma Rawicz, a finalist in the BBC Young Jazz Musician competition and Bill Laurance and Michael League from the globally acclaimed jazz collective, Snarky Puppy.
Over the course of our 15-year partnership we have seen the Festival play host to some legendary jazz performers from around the world, as well as evolve into a vital stage on which the next generation of artists can shine. Gabrielle Branson, Deputy CEO, EFG Private Bank Limited, said: “We are delighted to celebrate the 15th anniversary of EFG’s partnership with the Festival. Over the years, it has flourished and grown into a much-loved meeting place where the past, present and future of jazz come together, leaving behind some incredible memories and a valuable legacy that reinforces our ongoing commitment to talent development and the creation of new music.”
Pelin Opcin, Director of the EFG London Jazz Festival added: “The EFG London Jazz Festival reaches new heights in 2023, celebrating another significant milestone in its history: the 15th year of our title sponsor EFG’s support. Partnerships of this nature are long journeys and the Festival showcases what great things can be achieved with our wonderful synergy. EFG’s long-term support not only enables us to design the Festival with confidence, but also encourages us to imagine new possibilities.”
For a taste of what lies in store at this year’s EFG London Jazz Festival, you can watch the 2023 trailer: