Not sure what to see at BIF Jazz this year? Our handy guide is here to help you!
View Our Upcoming Jazz Performances
Love folk and rich musical storytelling? Artists including Laura Jurd, Fergus McCreadie Trio and Fraser Fifield bring together jazz with folk traditions and evocative soundscapes inspired by landscapes and heritage.
Looking for global sounds and rhythms? From the Mario Bakuna Quartet’s vibrant Brazilian swing and the Arun Ghosh Quintets’s hypnotic IndoJazz, to the Alina Bzhezhinska Quintets’s spiritual jazz influences, this year’s programme explores a rich variety of sounds.
You’ll also find celebrations of some of jazz’s greatest icons, with Denys Baptiste & Tony Kofi revisiting Cannonball Adderley and John Coltrane, Zoë Gilby and Andy Champion reimagining Duke Ellington, and the Johnny Hunter Trio featuring Natt Birchall honouring the legendary Elvin Jones.
For lovers of timeless swing and bebop, The Easy Rollers, the Gaz Hughes Trio and the Darius Brubeck Quartet keep the classic spirit of jazz alive, while Courtney Pine, Dennis Rollins & the Velocity Trio, the Blind Monk Trio and the Pete Roth Trio featuring Bill Bruford offer something different for fans of funk, rock and fusion.
We also have Noa Levy, Alan Barnes and the Paul Edis Trio, Andrew McCormack Trio, Hannah Brine with Bim Williams and Josephine Davies with Satori and Alcyona Mick joining us, making it a very special year for jazz at BIF.
Book your tickets by clicking the links of above or by clicking here: What’s on: JAZZ
General jazz FAQs
Where did jazz originate?
Jazz originated in the southern United States, particularly in New Orleans. The city’s mix of African, Caribbean, European, and American musical traditions helped shape the sound that became jazz.
Where did jazz start?
Jazz started in New Orleans in the late 19th and early 20th centuries. Musicians blended blues, ragtime, marching band music, spirituals, and improvisation into a completely new style.
When did jazz start?
Jazz began developing in the late 1800s and became widely recognised in the early 1900s, particularly around the 1910s and 1920s.
Where was jazz born?
Jazz is often described as being “born” in New Orleans because of the city’s unique musical culture and history.
How did jazz start?
Jazz developed from a combination of African American musical traditions, blues, ragtime, gospel music, brass band music, and improvisation. Early musicians experimented with rhythm, harmony, and spontaneous performance to create something entirely new.
Is “jazz” capitalised?
The word “jazz” is usually written in lowercase unless it appears at the beginning of a sentence or is part of a title.
Is jazz dying?
Not at all. While jazz may not dominate mainstream charts in the way it once did, it continues to evolve and influence modern music. Contemporary artists regularly blend jazz with hip-hop, electronic music, soul, funk, and pop, helping introduce it to new audiences.
Are jazz and blues the same?
No, but they are closely connected. Blues and jazz both grew from African American musical traditions and share similar roots, but jazz tends to focus more heavily on improvisation, complex harmonies, and instrumental interplay.
Was jazz popular in the 1920s?
Yes. The 1920s are often called the “Jazz Age” because jazz became hugely popular across the United States and beyond during that decade.
Did jazz start in New Orleans?
Yes. Most historians agree that jazz began in New Orleans, where different musical cultures blended together to create the foundations of jazz.
How would you describe jazz music?
Jazz is a musical genre known for improvisation, syncopated rhythms, expressive melodies, and creative freedom. It can range from energetic and lively to intimate and reflective, with musicians often responding to each other in the moment.
Was jazz born in New Orleans?
Yes. New Orleans is widely recognised as the birthplace of jazz.
Was jazz made by Black people?
Jazz was created primarily by African American musicians and communities in the southern United States. Their musical traditions, creativity, and innovation formed the foundations of the genre.
Was jazz popular in the 1950s?
Yes. Jazz remained extremely influential in the 1950s, with styles such as bebop, cool jazz, and hard bop becoming popular through artists like Miles Davis and John Coltrane.
Can jazz have lyrics?
Yes. Many jazz songs include vocals and lyrics, particularly in styles such as vocal jazz and jazz standards.
How would you describe jazz?
Jazz is expressive, improvisational, and constantly evolving. It often combines technical skill with emotional storytelling, allowing musicians to interpret pieces in their own unique way.
Are jazz and blues similar?
Yes. Jazz and blues share common roots and musical influences, especially within African American history and culture. However, jazz often features more complex arrangements and improvisation.
Do jazz guitarists use picks?
Some do and some do not. Many jazz guitarists use picks for precision and clarity, while others prefer fingerstyle playing for a softer, warmer sound.
Do jazz songs have lyrics?
Some do. Instrumental jazz is very common, but many famous jazz standards feature lyrics performed by vocalists.
How has jazz influenced modern music?
Jazz has influenced countless genres including rock, pop, hip-hop, R&B, funk, soul, and electronic music. Elements such as improvisation, rhythm, harmony, and swing can still be heard throughout modern music today.
How did jazz music start?
Jazz music developed through the blending of blues, ragtime, gospel, brass bands, and African musical traditions, particularly within African American communities in New Orleans.
Was jazz invented in New Orleans?
Jazz was not “invented” by one single person, but it did emerge and develop in New Orleans through the collaboration and creativity of many musicians and communities.