Bristol’s month(s) in jazz – June/July 2026

Yes – it’s a BOGOF edition of the monthly round-up as, due to technical issues, it won’t be possible to get one ready for July. Which means that there may well be as-yet unannounced things happening that are missed here so don’t forget to keep your eye on the invaluable Bristol Jazz Live calendar of gigs hereabouts.And of course July is when many Bristolian jazzers head down to the Swanage Jazz Festival (Fri 10 – Sun 12) which features (among many others) John Etheridge’s longstanding duo with Christian Garrick, Clarke Tracey reviving his dad Stan’s iconic Under Milk Wood suite, top rising saxophone star Alex Clarke’s quartet and the fine combination of Laura Jurd‘s trumpet and Rob Luft’s guitar. Plus a splendid beach and all the seafood you could wish for.

So, first: June, and Bristol’s month has a few splendid highlights starting with saxophonist Rachel Musson’s new improvisatory quartet that includes bass clarinet iconoclast Chris Cundy (Fringe In The Round, Tue 2). There’s an annoying clash of dates (Sun 21) when the Bristol Jazz Festival’s Jazz In The Loft gig featuring the Iain Ballamy Trio (Tobacco Factory) coincides with Buena Bristol Social Club’s Cuban trumpeter Michel Padron’s new Afro Cuban Project (The Lantern). Both top prospects, albeit in very different ways. Happily less contested will be Dudu Kouate’s appearance at Strange Brew (Mon 22). An established member of the Art Ensemble of Chicago Dudu restlessly explores the possibilities of traditional African instruments  and sounds.

The Bebop Club rounds off its Summer season in style, starting with guitarist Steve Banks’ Quintet (Thur 4) no doubt exploring his highly acclaimed Emboldened album. They’re followed by the interestingly complex music of Liam Brennan’s Abacus (Thur 11), a sextet whose four-horn front line will also feature local hero Nick Malcolm depping on trumpet. Then it’s up to Bebop main man Andy Hague’s all-star Quintet to bring things to a close for the summer (Thur 18). Over at the Stag & Hounds sessions the guest stars will be versatile trumpeter Jonny Bruce (Sun 7), cool swing vocalist Elly Hopkins (Sun 14), hard-bopping tenor sax player Martin Kern (Sun 21) and the fine contemporary pianist Rebecca Nash (Sun 28) who is also part of Steve Banks’ aforementioned fivesome.

Expressive tenor player John Lloyd’s Scandi-influenced Quartet are the latest Ppianissimo performers at Bristol Music Club (Fri 5), well suited to the reflective ambience of that room, while pianist Jon Baggott’s Invisible Apples duo with trumpeter Pete Judge gains drummer Matt Stockham Brown for a tightly squeezed gig at El Rincon (Sat 6). Pianist Eddie Gripper showcases Americana, a project created while hitching across the USA (Grain Barge, Tue 9) – happily he has not abandoned the piano for the banjo, however. More spaciously, guitarist Dan Waldman’s Hammond Trio (Old Fishmarket, Sun 21) brings Anders Olinder’s famed keyboards and drummer ‘Dr’ Toby Perrett for some grooving. And it’s good to see Kevin Figes remarkably off-beat Wallpaper Music collective coming to The Bell (Mon 22) to on the heels of their third great album.

The popular Sunday sessions at Spirited Bristol have a fine set of June gigs, starting with bass player Chris Jones’ trio (7th) and saxophonist Sophie Stockham’s threesome (14th) – both feature in the somewhat noisy video of Orfic. Jake McMurchie joins Riaan Vosloo and Matt Stockham Brown for an all-star workout (21st) and drummer Matt also joins Los Gusanos guitarist Mark Goudswaard and bass player Chris Axe (28th).

June’s groove’s have the usual quota of funky stuff, with Mr Wolf’s hosting venue faves Brass Junkies (Fri 5) Nu Orleans energy followed by The Bear Minimum (Fri 12) and lively young Irish funk-hoppers Groove-line (Sat 20). US showman and sax player Sam Greenfield’s more classic jazz-funk sound (Jam Jar, Mon 15) comes with a great reputation reputation for audience-pleasing vivacity.

Swing vocals on offer include Champagne Chateau, an interesting new project from Bristol-based South African singer Sisanda Myataza making its debut at The Architect (Wed 3), while the Great American Songbook pops up twice at the Fringe – firstly with Marvin Muoneke (Thur 4), then followed by John Prescott (Sun 7), the same day as Ruby Jazz appear at Tobacco Factory and the Hen & Chicken have their Sunday Social swing dance session.

That night (Sun 7) also sees the Vocal Works Gospel Choir come to St George’s with a mix of classic Gospel and soul hits and the next night (Mon 8) singer Natalie Davis and her Small Days guitar accompanist Dave Merrick showcase Classic Women’s Blues at the Folk House. Then over at Totterdown’s The Harbour (Sun 21) their Swing Sunday! afternoon event features the Yard Dogs Jazz Orchestra and (equally important, apparently) cake.

June’s musical fringes start with a bang (among other sounds) at the monthly free improvisation SWIG session (Star & Dove, Mon 1) and then The Cube has a Silent Sirens night (Wed 3) featuring improvising electronics from Drew McDowell among others. The Cube also has Improvisations Greatest Hits alumni Paling (Sun 12) at an ETN night headlined by Aloisius (aka life is beautiful).

Not to be outdone Kino has an experimental night (Thur 4) topped by international duo Lisa’s famed ‘hyper-physical feral beat abstractions’. The Slate Trio launch their life-affirming post-post-rock debut album at Kino (Thur 25) with support from My Octopus Mind composer Liam O’Connell’s Leeem Quartet of three clarinets, double bass and ‘live effects’. Then there’s a night of electronic experimentation at L’Etoile Studio (Fri 26) with top Liquid Library trio Rebecca Sneddon, Robin Foster and Matthew Grigg followed by experimental ambient duo of electro-percussionist Luigi Merino and David Birchall (who brings his banjo, plus e-bows and effects).

Then over at The Beacon they’re launching a new theme of live interdisciplinary interaction with Kuribo Jams (Tue 16) with vocalists and dancers working with an improvising band including Waldo’s Gift bass behemoth Harry Stoneham.

June’s contemporary classical events include an evening at St Annes Church, Easton (Fri 5) featuring experimental cellist Khabat Abas in a duo with sound artist Hardi Kurda and Bristol-based improvisers Jo Kelly, Robin Foster and Matt Davis. JOW, the more studied duo of cellist James Gow and trumpeter Pete Judge, has a lunchtime performance in the Bristol Cathedral Chapter House (Fri 12) and the Beacon has the collaboration of South Asian ambient vocal artist Arooj Aftab with the ever-exploratory London Contemporary Orchestra (Sun 21).

Now – July … and most welcome is the visit of longtime Welsh jazz band Burum (Lantern, Sun 26) who take traditional music and music by Welsh composers for their starting point and blend folk and jazz textures in a mix that can even include Welsh bagpipes – yes, that’s a tradition in Wales too. Then the Stag & Hounds has a feast of top saxophonists for their Sunday sessions – Luke Annesley (Sun 5), Ben Waghorn (Sun 12) and Sophie Stockham (Sun 19) – rounding off the month with trombonist Joe Bradford (Sun 26).

And July has another eclectic line-up over at Spirited Bristol’s Sunday sessions with popular drummer Paolo Adamo leading things off (5th) followed by some intense grooving from guitarist Dan Waldman and Hammond star Jonny Henderson with Matt Stockham Brown on drums (12th). Then Paris-based US vocalist Angela Grey joins talented pianist Eddie Gripper (19th) and the month rounds off with Stone Cold Hustle guitarist Martin Mexme’s trio (26) – funky stuff, for sure.

July’s upbeat grooving action starts with the Senna Weeks Organ Trio (Fringe, Thur 9) swiftly followed by Funk Dungeon at Mr Wolf’s (Fri 10) warming you up for the ultra-funky Shez Raja (Strange Brew, Sat 11). His horn-and-bass-led sound sharing influences of Weather Report and Headhunters with Jingu Bang (The Bell, Mon 20).

If swing’s your thing then Marvin Muoneke’s your man, whether at his regular Fringe residency (Thur 2) or with the Down For The Count Swing Orchestra celebrating the great Nat King Cole should appeal (St Georges, Sun 5). The Fringe also has clarinettist Jack Calloway and his Midnight Creepers (Thur 30).

Jams! Two months’ worth … (there may be more that weren’t listed when this was put together, mind)

Fringe: Hot Club Jam (Jun 1, Jul 6), Peanut Butter Jam (Jun 8, Jul 13), Let’s Talk Jam (Jun 29, Jul 27), Jazz Rapport Jam (Jun 14), Jazz Rendezvous Jam (Mon 15)

Canteen: Canteen Jazz Session (Jun 9, Jul 14), Canteen Latin  Descarga (Jun 16)

Mr Wolf’s: Beat Cleaver- Cypher Space (weekly, Tues), Donut Filler (weekly, Weds)

Old England: Community Jam Collective: (Weekly, Tues)

Star & Dove: Community Jam Night: (Fortnightly, Jun 3, 17, Jul 8)

Cafe Grounded Fishponds: Hot Jazz Jam (Jul 30)