Southport Jazz festival 2026 - Weekender Pass

It's Here!! Southport Jazz Festival 2026

Come and join us for 10 amazing shows over 3 days in our beautiful venue.

Following on from the brilliant 2025 festival we are bringing you more of the same for 2026 with some of the UK's top jazz performers. This makes for a weekend of superb jazz, swing and funk all under one roof, the stunning Grand on Southport's Lord Street.

Our weekender pass allows you to enjoy all 10 shows for an incredible £16.50 per show! When you look at ticket prices these days we're sure you'll agree that this represents superb value for money!

So here's the weekend line up in full for you to enjoy:

Friday 30th January:

1.30pm - 2.45pm  Trio JDM

4.00pm - 5.15pm  Bryan Corbett

8.30pm -  11pm    Swingtime with Liane Carroll and Emma Holcroft

Saturday 31st January:

11.45am - 1.00pm The Shirley Smart Trio

2.00pm - 3.15pm   Dave O'Higgins and Tom Smith - Coltrane and Dolphy

4.30pm - 5.45pm   Malcolm Strachan Septet  

8.30pm - 10.30pm The Clare Teal 5

Sunday 1st February:

12.00pm - 1.15pm   Wigan Youth Jazz Orchestra in Concert

3.00pm  - 4.15pm    Baiana featuring Snowboy and The Haggis Horns

8.00pm - 10pm         iG4 with Claire Martin, Nikki Iles, Karen Sharp and Ewan Hastie

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Friday 30th January

1.30pm - 2.45pm Trio JDM

Trio JDM is a contemporary organ trio led by Dave Walsh, known for his superlative drumming with countless jazz greats, award-winning singer-songwriters, and chart-topping pop acts alike (e.g. Enrico Pieranunzi, Arun Ghosh, Tom McRae, Matt Bianco). 

Guitarist Jamie Taylor has likewise been heard with some of the finest jazz musicians from either side of the Atlantic (e.g. Wayne Escoffery, John Stowell, Judy Carmichael, Baptiste Herbin, John Goldsby), having appeared many times at legendary London venues like Ronnie Scott’s and The Troubadour. 

Last but very definitely not least: at the console is the wonderful organist Martin Longhawn, perhaps best known to jazz audiences for his work with the excellent Svarc/Hanley/Longhawn group. Amongst the trio's many influences are Goldings/Bernstein/Stewart, Delvon Lamarr, and The Tony Williams Lifetime.

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4.00pm - 5.15pm Bryan Corbett presents The Instrumental Groove Unit

Renowned Birmingham-based trumpeter and flugelhorn player Bryan Corbett presents a new original project full of improvisation, hip grooves, beautiful melodies, unique musicianship, interplay and virtuosity.

This exciting new project introduces original material and a repertoire with emphasis on the ‘pocket’ of groove and freedom of improvisation.
Bryan introduces the project as “A chance to play some original tunes and
ideas coming to it from a different angle than I normally would”.

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8.30pm - 11.00pm Swingtime Big Band Featuring Liane Carroll and Emma Holcroft

Finally, we round Friday off in blockbuster style with the powerhouse that is the Swingtime Big Band with special guests Liane Carroll and Emma Holcroft.

Liane Carroll is a vocalist, pianist, jazz icon and all round good egg! She performed with Swingtime Big Band in our first festival in 2023 to a sell out crowd and again with her own band in 2025. Her virtuosity and warmth are legendary and her interpretation of jazz classics is inspired.

Liane became the patron of the Southport Jazz Festival in 2023.

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Saturday 31st January

11.45am - 1.15pm The Shirley Smart Trio

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Acknowledged as one of the UK’s most versatile and creative cellists, trailblazing cellist and composer Shirley Smart is equally at home and well versed in jazz, folk, Middle Eastern and World Music, as well as classical, and her music draws upon this rich tapestry of influences.

Drawing on a background of 10 years living in Jerusalem and working with the overlapping worlds of jazz, Arabic, Turkish and North African music, her trio brings these influences together in a performance of vibrant melodies, grooves, swing and lively improvisation. Showcasing her unique ability to explore the potential of the cello in a jazz context, performing multiple roles as bassist, lead and soloist on the instrument, and featuring also some of the UK's leading lights in world-influenced jazz - John Crawford on piano, and Demi Garcia Sabat on percussion, this dynamic group promises and evening of inspired music-making.

Their debut album ‘Long Story Short’ received critical acclaim, and their 2nd album is currently in production for release in 2026.

2.00pm - 3.15pm Dave O'Higgins and Tom Smith - Coltrane & Dolphy

Dave O’Higgins & Tom Smith (two of the UK’s greatest exponents of tenor, alto, soprano saxophones, flute and bass clarinet) reinterpret the music from the 1960’s of the US great jazz combination of John Coltrane and Eric Dolphy.

Tom Smith is an award-winning saxophonist, composer, and arranger, firmly

established within London’s vibrant jazz scene. A graduate of the Royal Academy of Music and a two-time finalist in the BBC Young Jazz Musician of the Year competition (2014, 2016), Smith is recognised for his innovative projects, dynamic compositions, and commitment to pushing the boundaries of jazz.

Dave O’Higgins now has 26 albums as leader to his credit. His sax sound is very personal and recognisable, with a clear sense of melodic development and adventure. A popular performer with the public, with an excellent sense of pacing and presentation, he has a wide palette from Charlie Parker, Dexter Gordon, John Coltrane and Joe Henderson through to Stanley Turrentine and Michael Brecker. He has relentlessly pursued artistic exploration and development with a deep respect for the tradition of the music. His latest project is Monkin’ Around, a co-operative with Greek drummer, Billy Pod & Aussie bassist, Luke Fowler, exploring the music of Thelonious Monk.

Dave O’Higgins - tenor & soprano sax

Tom Smith - alto sax & bass clarinet

Graham Harvey - piano

Jeremy Brown - bass

Matt Skelton - drums

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4.30pm - 5.45pm Malcolm Strachan Septet

Expect to hear a full set of original compositions by Malcolm and featuring material covering a broad spectrum of jazz styles. From modal jazz grooves to Brazilian samba beats, Latin rhythms to cinematic soundtrack vibes, and along the way, some beautiful ballads.

Malcolm's last album Point of No Return was launched at Ronnie Scott's Jazz Club in London in late February to a standing ovation.

Malcolm has recorded and toured with the likes of Mark Ronson, Amy Winehouse, Corinne Bailey Rae, Jamiroquai, Martha Reeves and The Vandellas, Jess Glynne, The Craig Charles Fantasy Funk Band, Black Honey, The New Mastersounds, Abstract Orchestra and Blue Note Records jazz saxophone legend Lou Donaldson. Of course, he's also a founder and existing band member of the UK funk kings The Haggis Horns

This band features;

Malcolm Strachan - Trumpet/Flugelhorn

Atholl Ransome - Tenor Sax

Tom White - Trombone

George Cooper - Piano

Sam Quintana - Upright Bass

Pat Illingworth - Drums

Sam Bell - Percussion

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8.30pm - 11.00pm The Clare Teal 5

The Clare Teal 5 is an exciting collaboration between award winning jazz vocalist and long-time Radio 2, Jazz FM and Radio 3 broadcaster Clare Teal and her magnificent band, featuring the UK’s finest jazz musicians.

Clare continues her 25th anniversary of touring , celebrating the occasion with further delves into her 22 album back catalogue with new arrangements of old favourites, including her breakthrough album Orsino’s Songs (2002) featuring California Dreamin’, plus material from her major label debut album Don’t Talk (2004) which reached the top 20.

Teal’s live shows are constantly evolving, and always interspersed with Clare’s warm and witty storytelling. A magical world where the talents of Cole Porter, Van Morrison, Sam Smith, Duke Ellington, Ella Fitzgerald, Blossom Dearie, Peggy Lee, Sarah Vaughan are heralded by Clare and her band, in addition to Clare’s own original songs. Brought to life using her unique swing jazz palette providing an evening of rich sounds and stories – always engaging – always uplifting. As one of the UK’s greatest interpreters of popular song and much-loved performers, Clare and her band guarantee an evening of inspirational, uplifting music and unbridled entertainment, performed by the very best.

Clare Teal - Vocals

Jim Watson – Piano

Dave Archer – Guitar

Simon Little – Bass

Will Cleasby – Drums

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Sunday 1st February

12.00 - 1.15pm Wigan Youth Jazz Orchestra

We are delighted to present the ever popular and hugely entertaining Wigan Youth Jazz Orchestra. WYJO is celebrating their 50th Anniversity this year and they continue to go from strength to strength as the North West's premier youth big band. The British jazz scene has a lot to thank this band for as WYJO continue to produce highly skilled musicians many of whom go on to have incredibly successful music careers at the very top level. Under the direction of David Little expect a high energy performance, tight ensemble playing and superb soloists from this 18 piece outfit. Dave is assisted by dedicated members of the Wigan Music Service team, who continue to inspire and guide these young musicians. The show starts at 12.00pm.

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3.00pm - 4.15pm Baiana feat Snowboy and The Haggis Horns

Baiana is the Brazilian-inspired project of Liverpool-born singer-songwriter Laura Doyle.

Refreshingly joyful and charismatic, the show will feature internationally acclaimed percussionist Snowboy, (Lisa Stansfield, Imelda May, Amy Winehouse, Rod Temperton, Airto Morreira) who produced their stunning debut album along with the trio from The Haggis Horns (John Legend, Mark Ronson, Corinne Bailey Rae, Amy Winehouse)

Dubbed “the band we are all obsessed about” (Deb Grant, BBC 6 Music), Baiana’s thrilling live shows have been described as “Outstanding” (Robbie Vincent Jazz FM) and having “a proper wow factor” (John Osbourne Solar Radio).

A hugely popular draw at Love Supreme, Buxton and Jazz Festival, Baiana also supported Brazilian mega-star Gilberto Gil on his UK tour.
It promises a heady mix of infectious rhythm, superb musicianship and beautiful song. Not to be missed!

So Good” Gilles Peterson, BBC 6 Music

“Homegrown Jazz Gem” Daily Mail

“Lush and Sophisticated” RnR Magazine

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8.00pm - 10.00pm iG4

iG4 is a new intergenerational band of 4 of the UK's finest jazz talent sharing their love of great songs and composers.

Vocalist Claire Martin OBE joins multi-award-winning pianist and composer Nikki Iles, much-in-demand saxophonist Karen Sharp and rising star bassist Ewan Hastie who won the BBC's Young Jazz Musician of the Year in 2022. Brand new arrangements written for this project by Nikki will shine a light on classic repertoire from Tom Waits to Burch Bacharach, Anthony Newly and Joni Mitchell as well as stylish reworkings from the great writers of the American songbook including Cole Porter and Johnny Mandel.

Claire Martin has to worldwide critical acclaim established herself as a tour de force on the UK jazz scene gaining many awards, including winning the British Jazz Awards eight times during her career which spans over three decades.

Nikki's recent work has taken her across the world as a member of the Julian Arguelles Octet, The Kenny Wheeler Big Band, Claire Martin and “The North “, a Scandinavian/Anglo/Canadian collaboration featuring Percy Pursglove and Anders Morgensen.

Karen is well known and admired for her melodic, full-toned saxophone playing, winning the British Jazz Awards for best tenor saxophonist on numerous occasions. She has worked alongside musicians such as John and Jacqui Dankworth, Ken Peplowski, Alan Barnes, Tina May, Nikki Iles, Esther Miller, Jeremy Pelt, Howard Alden, Scott Hamilton, Warren Vache, Scott Robinson and Harry Allen.

Ewan Hastie is a multi-award-winning bassist and composer, already making his mark on the UK music scene. Just recently graduating from the Royal Conservatoire of Scotland receiving a Bachelor of Music degree in jazz, he won the coveted BBC Young Jazz Musician of the Year 2022 title.