As part of Buxton International Festival’s return with another summer of world class performances, the Festival is delighted to welcome back the ever popular Jazz Weekender for 2026, curated by new Jazz Director, Wesley Stephenson. Now firmly established as one of the most anticipated parts of the jazz programme, this special package offers audiences the chance to immerse themselves in an entire weekend of exceptional live music at an unbeatable price. One weekend ticket provides access to 12 gigs across the opening weekend, making it one of the best value ways to experience the Festival’s vibrant offering. Day passes are also available.
Wesley Stephenson says: “Jazz Weekender is all about bringing people right up close to the music. Twelve gigs across one weekend, intimate spaces and some of the UK’s most exciting musicians coming together. It’s a brilliant way to discover new sounds, revisit the classics and feel the real energy of live jazz.”
Across the weekend audiences will step into the intimate atmosphere of the Festival’s own jazz club at The Palace Hotel, right in the heart of Buxton. It is a setting that brings listeners incredibly close to the music, creating the kind of energy and connection that jazz thrives on. The programme features 11 performances in this dedicated space, with one special event taking place in the Buxton Opera House. Whether a long time jazz enthusiast or someone curious to explore the genre, the Weekender offers space to discover new sounds, revisit classics and encounter some of the UK’s most exciting musicians up close.
Now in its fifth year, the jazz programme continues to evolve, bringing together artists whose styles range from soulful and reflective to bold, inventive and rhythmically electric. The Jazz Weekender programme is shaped by world class musicianship, improvisation, storytelling and that unmistakable sense of spontaneity that only live jazz can deliver.
Whether joining for a single day or settling in for the full weekend, audiences will find an atmosphere filled with warmth, creativity and the buzzing joy of live performance. It is a chance to hear music that moves, surprises and celebrates the breadth of the UK jazz scene, all in a unique Buxton setting.
This year’s Weekender features an impressive collection of artists and ensembles:
Palace Hotel: Thursday 9th July 2026
Laura Jurd – Rites and Revelations
Doors 6.00pm / Performance 6.30pm – 8.15pm
Denys Baptise / Tony Kofi – Quintet (Cannonball / Coltrane)
Doors 8.30pm / Performance 9.00pm – 10.45pm / Curfew 11.00pm
Palace Hotel: Friday 10th July 2026
Andrew McCormack Trio (Confirmed)
Doors 11.30am / Performance 12.00pm – 1.45pm
Zoë Gilby with Andy Champion (The Music of Duke Ellington) + Johnny Hunter Trio featuring Nat Birchall (The Music of Elvin Jones)
Doors 2.00pm / Performances 2.30pm – 4.45pm
Mario Bakuna Band
Doors 7.30pm / Performance 8.00pm – 9.15pm
Josephine Davies – Satori Quartet featuring Alcyona Mick
Doors 9.45pm / Performance 10.15pm / Curfew 12.00am
Palace Hotel: Saturday 11th July 2026
Noa Levy, Alan Barnes and The Paul Edis Trio (Portrait in Evans)
Doors 12.30pm / Performance 1.00pm – 2.45pm
Alina Bzhezhinska HipHarpCollective Quintet
Doors 6.30pm / Performance 7.00pm – 8.45pm
Darius Brubeck Quartet
Doors 9.30pm / Performance 10.00pm / Curfew 12.00am
Palace Hotel: Sunday 12th July
Fraser Fifield – Secret Path Trio + Olivia Moore and Adam Fairhall
Doors 12.30pm / Performance 1.00pm – 3.00pm
Arun Ghosh Quintet
Doors 3.30pm / Performance 4.00pm – 5.45pm
Buxton Opera House: Sunday 12th July
Courtney Pine – Modern Day Jazz Story
Doors 8.30pm / Performance 9.00pm / Set Length and Curfew TBC
