Liverpool’s annual international celebration of jazz is set to be the biggest yet in 2026.
Liverpool is set to be transformed into the jazz capital of the UK this February as Liverpool International Jazz Festival takes over the city once again. This festival, now in its 13th year, will be the biggest yet — with no less than 14 events showcasing both international and local talent in a week-long programme.
The festival’s main events featuring international stars are taking place at The Capstone Theatre from Thursday 26th February until Sunday 1st March, whilst the Fringe Festival is running from 21st February at various venues across the city.
Audiences seeking out the best value and experience can purchase a Festival Bundle Ticket that covers 12 events for just £72. This package includes entry to every event apart from the Improvised Art Jazz and Jazz & Cake events and is available until 13th February.
The festival kicks off with an incredible FREE afternoon event at The Baltic Market courtesy of Parrjazz om Saturday 21st February. The showcase will feature Jack Taylor Ensemble an all female five-piece who play jaunty, jazz-age tunes and DJs Copious Notes & Jabjazz.
The second free event on the line-up is a private viewing of Liverpool photographer William Ellis’ fine jazz musician captures on Thursday 26th February. Visitors can enjoy striking images of the likes of Clark Terry, Dee Dee Bridgewater, Dizzy Gillespie, Herbie Hancock, Miles Davis, Tony Bennett and many more.
Also on the 26th February, Grammy award-winning musicians Tim Garland (saxophone) and Geoffrey Keezer (piano) perform songs from their brand-new duet album, Mezzo. Both seasoned players have globe-trotted with some of the most famous players in music and show their crystalline lyrical maturity as well as incendiary virtuosity in a set that features one new and rare instrument after which the album is named.
The Thursday line-up closes with Improvised Art Jazz at Hobo Pub, in The Baltic Triangle, featuring Weirdo jazz-spectrum DJ and Ensemble ft. Jack Lewis (Guitar), Nick Branton (Reeds) and Joel Howley (Drums). Improvising music triggered by the Hobo Pub art installations, Art Films and audience postcard suggestions.
A free lunchtime concert will take place on Friday 27th February with Liverpool Hope University Big Band under the direction of Dr Tom Sykes. The varied programme will see talented students from local secondary schools performing joint items with the Big Band.
The Capstone Theatre will welcome David Helbock on the 27th – a prominent figure in Austrian jazz, captivates audiences worldwide with his projects at festivals across all continents. His virtuosity and creativity have earned him numerous awards, including several prizes at the world’s largest jazz piano solo competition in Montreux. In his latest project, Helbock has teamed up with the versatile electric bassist and cellist Julia Hofer from Vienna as his duo partner.
The Friday will be rounded off with Mutant Jazz at Quarry on Hardman Street from 9pm until late, featuring the Chinese dub jazz psych fusion of Tian Qiyi amongst many others.
On Saturday 28th February, the festival teams up with Milap to present a unique collaboration between two of the brightest stars on the contemporary jazz scene. MOBO award winning Zoe Rahman is a vibrant and highly individual pianist and composer. Her style is deeply rooted in jazz yet it reflects her classical background, British-Bengali heritage and her very broad musical taste.
Meanwhile, Arun Ghosh is an award-winning clarinettist and composer, and a charismatic performer. His lyrical and sonorous musical style draws together jazz, folk and South Asian influences.
A fascinating Fringe concept follows this collabroation, as Jazz & Cake collide at Commune on Constance Street. Featuring In-house vinyl Jazz DJ, Frank Griffith Ensemble session ft. Frank Griffith (Sax/Clarinet), Viktor Nordberg (Drums) and Dan Barreto (Bass) — all whilst enjoying vegan friendly cakes.
Drawing inspiration from the heavy fusion of Chick Corea and Allan Holdsworth, the psychedelic bluesy swagger of Jimi Hendrix, and the fearless multi-media explorations of Cecil Taylor, Little Black Book – performing on 28th Feb – brings together three bravura players in an uplifting celebration to the Capstone Theatre on the Saturday evening. Diversity is at the heart of Robert Mitchell’s remarkable career.
His recent tenure as Artist in Residence at Morley College provided the setting for a new venture that builds on all his previous legacy while sounding quite unlike any of it. Laurie Lowe on drums and Zayn Mohammed on guitar bring the exact combination of power, accuracy and unbounded imagination to make the project come alive.
The Saturday evening’s Fringe event sees Secret Jazz Explosion with Jam, coming to Quarry, featuring grassroots jazz ensemble Finite Experience, Vinyl DJs, featured artists Elmss and Blueprint, MC Motormouf hosting and massive live jam led by Finite Experience.
The final day of the festival on Sunday 1st March welcomes award winning guitarist Martin Taylor MBE. Martin has established a unique musical career as an internationally acclaimed musician, and his inimitable style has seen him recognised as the world’s foremost exponent of solo jazz guitar playing.
As well as being a true guitar innovator, he is also a master concert performer, dazzling audiences with his solo shows, which combine virtuosity, emotion, humour, with a strong stage presence. He has also collaborated with the likes of George Harrison, Dionne Warwick and Jamie Cullum.
The festival will then host one of the best saxophonists of his generation at The Capstone Theatre on Sunday night – Marius Neset. Marius made an astonishingly powerful impression when he first emerged onto the European jazz scene as a young saxophonist of protean gifts more than a decade ago, with The Telegraph stating: “Marius Neset is a marvel. He makes his instrument dance like a gazelle and soar like an eagle.”
The LIJF Fringe Festival’s huge Closing Party will then take place at Quarry until lat, featuring Mutant Jazz DJs, Lydia Reece (Jazz/Soul composer and singer), La Jiba (Hi-Energy contemporary Jazz grooves), long format live jam session with Piraya Quintet and MC Motormouf hosting.
Creative Director of the festival, Neil Campbell said: “In 1919, Liverpool became the first city to welcome jazz onto UK shores and in 2026 it’s thriving more than ever thanks to this incredible extravaganza. The city will be able to experience top drawer local and international acts over multiple events for a fantastic price.“
The festival was founded in 2013 by Liverpool Hope University, and the Creative Campus continues to host this eclectic event each year. Whether you are a jazz enthusiast or newcomer, the diverse programme promises something for everyone.
Liverpool international Jazz Festival takes place from Friday 21st February til Sunday 1st March 2026 at The Capstone Theatre and across Liverpool venues.
Full details of LIJF 2026 events and box office links can be found at https://capstone.hope.ac.