Gala Dinner Festival Launch with Ian Shaw

Southport Jazz Festival

Gala Dinner Launch Night

*Please note that this event is not part of the weekender ticket. It is a stand alone event*

*Last year's launch night sold out within 20 days*


Welcome to the 2026 Southport Jazz Festival!
We have decided to mark the new festival in the same way as last year with our exclusive gala dinner and this year we are honoured to welcome    Ian Shaw to celebrate with us!

Ian Shaw is one of the most recognisable names on the UK jazz scene, performing in the UK and worldwide both solo and in collaboration with an array of first-class musicians and ensembles. His career of over thirty-five years encompasses not only music but also broadcasting, comedy and acting.

“The leading male jazz singer of his generation in the UK” (Jazzwise, 2008), 

Ian delivers “shades of Mark Murphy and Jon Hendricks, artists in whose company Shaw very much belongs.” (All About Jazz, 2025) 

Ian is the recipient of two BBC Jazz Awards and a Parliamentary Jazz Award.

Expect music drawn from the Great American Songbook alongside re-workings of more contemporary songs and Shaw’s own pithy originals.

*Please note that this event is not part of the weekender ticket*              

*Tickets must be purchased separately*

Auberge Brasserie

Auberge Brasserie is one of Southport's longest established and favourite eateries with an amazing reputation built up over may years. One look at tripadvisor tells you all you need to know. They have created a special 3 course menu for this event for you to enjoy. This will be forwarded to you upon booking for you to order in advance. This will make service much easier on the night for what will be a full house. Please advise of any special dietary requirements and these can of course be catered for.