Photo Exhibition Launch | Story of Leeds Jazz through the lens of Denis Dalby

Join us this creative Wednesday for the opening of our NEW photography Exhibition. The ‘Story of Leeds Jazz through the lens of Denis Dalby’ photo exhibition delves deep into the musical history of Leeds through pictures captured by Denis Dalby. This exhibition is running in conjunction with Leeds Jazz Festival 2023.

Denis Dalby was a founder member of the original Leeds Jazz, who were key in developing the jazz scene in Leeds from the mid 80s to 2010. Born from the dissatisfaction of travelling to other towns and cities to see live jazz, Leeds Jazz quickly found a home in the thriving alternative scene at the time, bringing the likes of Art Blakey, Sam Rivers, Archie Shepp, Dudu Pukwana and John Etheride to the city.

Denis, a keen creative on his days off, was known within the city for having the best fish and chip shop in Leeds; but he was known to Leeds Jazz and the musicians they brought to town as the man behind the camera. Few probably realised that in the basement of that very chippy you would find a dark room where Denis would perfectly develop his own photos - the very ones that will be on display at this photo exhibition!

Audiences and jazz fans are invited to come and relieve fond memories of these events, or discover some of the greats who have played in Leeds previously through the lens of this truly Leeds character - Denis Dalby.

The photo exhibition is completely free to attend and will be in situ in the porch area of Left Bank Leeds from Wednesday 24th May for the exhibition launch, OR,  If you cant make it down this exhibition will be up until Sunday 18th June 2023 (We do close occasionally for private events so please check via our website prior to coming down!)

Leeds Jazz Festival runs from 25th - 30th May 2023. Free activity across the festival includes the Welcome to Leeds stage on Cookridge Street, a family friendly, open air, free stage with live music and DJs running across the the bank holiday weekend, Lara Jones Ensō+ immersive, cinematic audio visual dome in Leeds Train Station, DJ workshops with NikNak at Canned Heat, TANG talks w/ Jasmine Myra, Fergus Quill, Ben Haskins and Olivia Cuttill at Headrow House.

Tickets are on sale now, with details of the full programme available through the Leeds Jazz Festival website. Follow @leedsjazzfest on social media, for the latest updates and announcements as the programme develops.

Leeds Jazz Festival aims to unite and celebrate the musicians, venues, promoters, audiences and organisations who are part of the Leeds Jazz tapestry - whilst showcasing the best of local, national and international music.