Jazz Gigs in Bristol

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Bristol's Jazz Scene

There are two distinct sides to Bristol's jazz scene and in the middle a line that's rarely crossed...

Jazz in Bristol's Large Venues
On one side are the (usually larger) international jazz events, typically at venues like Colston Hall and St Georges. These are great venues to see contemporary jazz in Bristol with recent (2009 - 2010) highlights including Portico Quartet, Cinematic Orchestra and the Neil Cowley Trio. Live jazz in these Bristol venues has more of a concert feel, almost always seated and usually around the £15 mark depending on the seats. Bristol is fortunate to be a key stop over in most UK jazz tours and it is always worth keeping an eye on who's playing when and where and get jazz tickets early for decent seats.

Jazz in Bristol's Small Venues
The otherside of Bristol's live jazz scene couldn't be more different. Bristol is home to some awesome jazz musicians, many of international standard playing international gigs. What's great about Bristol is you can often catch these artists while they're at home often for free. Notable examples include Daisy Palmer (drummer - Goldfrapp), James Bateman (sax - Badbone & Co, Ronnie Scotts) and James Morton (sax - Pee Wee Ellis, The Herbaliser). Unlike the large tours at the bigger venues jazz gigs in Bristol pubs are more organic and unpredictable. With so many quality musicians playing in so many different bands or improvising with different artists, live jazz in Bristol is constantly evolving. When looking for whats on jazz in Bristol it's often more important to consider which individual musicians are playing where, rather than browsing by band or headliner. At live music events in Bristol pubs for the best views you'll need to stand but sometimes tables if you're lucky enough to get one.. ***** Where to see live jazz in Bristol
The whats on listings to the left show all upcoming jazz gigs in Bristol but it's still worth mentioning some consistent venues. Always check whats on at the Coronation Tap on Tuesdays and Sundays, (usually jazz or blues, always free). Other key jazz venues in Bristol include the Old Duke (live music every night, always free) and the Grain Barge (gigs every Friday, around £3).

We also have whats on info and listings for gypsy jazz, which we have decided to keep separate.

Is there a new generation of jazz?

Many people who lived through the golden era of jazz will tell you it's dead. But many international publications say jazz is having a new dawn in the UK and that the genre is evolving because of multiculturalism. Some of this can be seen in the Bristol jazz scene, the non-purist outlook of Worm Disco Club and Bristol Jazz and Blues Fest. With a new generation of jazz fans, comes a new outlook on jazz - Bristol has always had young and adventurous music makers from it’s local community and insurgent student population. Will Bristol be the new centre of a new kind of jazz in the UK? Only time will tell.

Buy tickets for jazz events in Bristol

Our recent jazz recommendations

Another year, another audiovisual Halloween spectacular from Cellar Door, with twisted rockabilly punks Honk helming the hoedown – a prime slice of swampy, country-fried Mancunian garage FFO: The Gun Club, Country Teasers, early Jay Reatard etc. Stacked support from new synth-addled psych oddities Ya Hablo, Brighton glam punks Austen Showers and moody indie folkers Dogsbody. HOTFOOT - Geological Dancer at The Louisiana.

Sell out warning! Not jazz nor rock nor film music, fans just call it ‘Necks music’: that spine-tingling unwinding of instrumental textures and improvised magic. A once in a lifetime gig for those who’ve never witnessed; for those that have, you can never see the same set twice…. The Necks at Strange Brew.

Middle Eastern nay reed-flute master and global jazz flautist Faris Ishaq celebrates the spiritual, searching, unstoppable work of John Coltrane alongside the British European Jazz Ensemble. Inspired by the soul-baring style of the iconic saxophonist and infused with Ishaq’s Arabic folk and classical influences, this is one for seekers of true cosmic envelopment. FARIS ISHAQ X BEJE at Cotham Parish Church, Cotham Road, Cotham, Bristol, BS6 6DR.

Sell out warning! Inventive jazz fusion ensemble melding afrofunk, afrobeat, gnawa and rumba into a fire-breathing 9-headed psychedelic beast. Muito Kaballa are a force to be reckoned with FFO: Fela Kuti, Tenderlonious, L'éclair, Surprise Chef, the Pyramids. Muito Kaballa + Plantfood at The Jam Jar.

More Photos of Jazz Gigs in Bristol

What our editors say

“Formed in Bristol in 2009, surfing the early wave of the resurgence of interest in Colombian music styles. Baila La Cumbia have performed at many of our country’s great festivals & have filled the dancefloors at many special occasions. In fact, any cumbia band would be expected to bring the party to anywhere it’s needed. Porro (Colombian big band cumbia) and salsa tunes are woven into the repertoire and with Colombian vocalist Juan Carlos Arenas and his guitar some Chicha Vibes are suggested as well.”
From: Baila La Cumbia

“In 2016 he appeared as part of the Pee Wee Ellis and Fred Wesley Back To Jazz Big Band, performing at Bristol Jazz and Blues Festival and Ronnie Scott’s Club. 2017 saw repeat appearances at both venues as part of a big band backing USA trumpet legend Bobby Shew in a programme celebrating the centenary of Dizzy Gillespie’s birth. In 2019 Andy played for the first time with legendary UK jazz composer Mike Westbrook as part of his Uncommon Orchestra, and post-Covid the band has appeared at Cheltenham and Cambridge Jazz Festivals, the Rossini Festival in Lugo, Italy and Ronnie Scott’s 2022 and 2023.”
From: Andy Hague Quintet

“Based somewhere in between Brighton and Portsmouth, Beatroot have been taking their special brew of dirty funk across the UK and winning over audiences with high-energy performances, unique instrumental arrangements and a surprising ability to fit onto stages that should really be much too small for them. A big band with a big sound: brass in your face, a relentless rhythm section, artery popping trumpets and a baritone that hits you where it hurts. This is dirty funk- order up!”
From: Beatroot

“Curated by renowned jazz vocalist Karolina Griškutė, Karolina’s Jazz Club celebrates Bristol’s rich jazz talent while offering a platform for rising stars. Whether you're a jazz lover or exploring the genre for the first time, this is your chance to immerse yourself in the magic of live jazz and become part of Bristol's thriving music community.”
From: Robert Brian Quartet at Karolina's Jazz Club

“Described as “a breath of fresh air on the swing scene” (Twinwood Festival) Down for the Count’s 10-piece mini big band is regularly found in jazz clubs across the UK and abroad (Ronnie Scott’s London, Le Caveau de la Huchette Paris), at festivals including London Jazz Festival, and on BBC Radio. Now they are bringing the sounds and feels of the best jazz clubs to theatres around the country – with an electrifying show full of incredible energy, musicianship, and their own signature wry wit and humour.”
From: Swing That Music with the Down for the Count All-Stars