It started as a pop-up two years ago; now it’s grown to a four-day affair. Jazz Leeds Festival founder Steve Crocker shares details of the 2019 festival:

Shai Maestro (Publicity photo)

“After its successful debut in 2017, the Jazz Leeds Festival returns for four days from 18 to 21 July with an ambitious programme centred in the Leeds Arts quarter around the College of Music and the Wardrobe. Festival headliners include Andy Sheppard with Espen Eriksen Trio, Trevor Watkiss with Windrush: A Jazz Celebration of Dizzy Reece, and the Electric Lady Big Band, an all-star British jazz big band playing guitarist Denny Illett’s arrangements of Hendrix’s classics.

“Also appearing will be acclaimed New York pianist Shai Maestro with his trio, rising star gyil player Bex Burch with her progressive world-jazz group Vula Viel, who also feature exciting bassist Ruth Goller and leading drummer/percussionist Dave Smith.

“Events with a Leeds connection include MOBO shortlisters Roller Trio, a jazz film about the life of Leeds’ late young trumpeter Richard Turner, the premiere of a new album from Leeds trombonist Kevin Holbrough and an afternoon of local student and community bands at the Wardrobe which include rated bands on the Leeds scene Yaatri, Mondo Bizarre and Chapel FM Collective.”

LINK: Full details and booking on the Jazz Leeds Festival website