Southport Jazz Festival 2026 - Saturday - All Day Pass

Welcome to Super Saturday at Southport Jazz Festival - 4 amazing shows in one day!

Your Saturday Day Pass gives you the chance to see all of these amazing shows at a discounted price!

11.45am - The Shirley Smart Trio

2.00pm -  Dave o' Higgins and Tom Smith play the music on Coltrane and Dolphy

4.00pm -  Malcolm Strachan Septet

8.30pm -  The Clare Teal 5

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                                                                                                     The Shirley Smart Trio

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.

She is in demand as a workshop leader, having given workshops for the National Youth Jazz Collective, Jazzlines, Trinity Laban and Huddersfield, Manchester, Kent Leeds and Surrey Universities.

She was an adjudicator at the 2025 David Geringas Cello Competition Junior Division in Lithuania, where she also ran a seminar on Improvisation for teachers and students.

Line Up Shirley Smart - cello

John Crawford - Piano

Demi Garcia Sabat - Drums/Percussion

Dave O'Higgins and Tom Smith - 

  Coltrane and 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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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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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