2026 HIGHWORTH JAZZ FESTIVAL

Kim Cypher

With a resume that boasts shows in London at the 606 Club and the world famous Ronnie Scott’s as well as playing in New York and a closer-to-home residency at Cheltenham’s The Ivy.

To have a festival in this part of the country without Kim would be unthinkable.

Kim will be appearing with her fabulous trio featuring:

Chris Cobbson – Guitar
Mike Green – Double Bass
Mike Cypher – Drums

Alex Merritt

Bristol is a hot-bed for young and exciting jazzer’s and saxophonist Alex Merritt represents those players that have a sound that manages to link the new and emerging with the Blue Note greats.

In such an intimate setting this will be a highlight of the festival.

Joined by a who’s who if the Bristol jazz scene including Rebecca Nash on keys.

Alex Merritt – Tenor Sax
Nick Malcolm – Trumpet
Rebecca Nash – Piano
Henrik Jensen- Bass
Paolo Adamo- Drums

Chris Cobbson – Afro Jazz Project

Chris ‘Santo’ Cobbson is one of the UK’s foremost Jazz and World Music guitarists. He studied at the Guildhall School of Music and Drama and soon became a much in demand guitarist working with artists and bands such as Courtney Pine, Ronnie Scott’s Big band, Osibisa, Shelia Ferguson, Omar, Ebony Steel band, Pee Wee Ellis, and Maceo Parker..

In this project he draws on his African heritage and explores Jazz music from the continent, as well as original songs from his debut Album. The quartet features A list musicians who have worked with artists such as Hugh Masekela, Jamie Callum, David Sanborn, Sade, Damon Albarn and Tony Allen.
The set is filled with infectious music with great percussion breaks and dance rhythms.

Chris Cobbson – Guitar
Richard Olatunde Baker – Percussion
Phil Dawson – Guitar
Paul Jeffries – Double Bass

Photo: Pete Wilson

Roger Beaujolais Quartet

Roger Beaujolais knows more about this than most. Having just celebrated his 40th year as a professional vibraphonist, his new album Bags Of Vibes pays tribute to the celebrated Dizzy Gillespie/MJQ vibes magus Milt Jackson. Determinedly self-taught, with no parental or financial support, Roger took up the vibes aged 24 and played his first gig aged 28. In October 1983, he became the first vibes player in the UK to make a living from playing the instrument..
Roger is currently arranging an out-of-the-ordinary tour in which he will talk about the history of the vibraphone and the musicians who established the instrument in the jazz field, as well as performing tunes by five different vibes players from the 1930s to the 1970s.

Roger Beaujolais – Vibraphone
Gareth Williams – Piano
Simon Thorpe – Bass
Milo Fell – Drums

Marvin Muoneké

Marvin Muoneké is a gifted jazz singer-songwriter, arranger and performing/recording artist based in the South West of England. His bass-baritone voice has often been referred to as rich, deep and smooth. Bringing the songs and sounds of mid-20th century jazz to modern listeners of all ages, Marvin possesses a rare and beautiful presence that can light up any audience of any venue within seconds.

Over the last ten years, Marvin has worked several theatres and venues both at home and abroad. Venues including Southampton’s Concorde Club, Pizza Express Holborn, The Hideaway Streatham, Royal Festival Hall, Weston Playhouse, London Palladium, Theatre Royal Winchester and Champs-Élysées in Paris.

During the course of the Coronavirus pandemic, Marvin independently produced and released his first two albums, “The Young Man With The Old Soul” and “Lockdown Hootenanny”, with a third album completed also.

Afternoon in Paris

Afternoon in Paris are on a mission to entertain! Their music stems from the forties swing of the Hot Club of France, but extends to encompass a miasma of styles from Latin to Klezmer, Bebop to Pop with some fab originals thrown in. Fronted by clarinet, bass clarinet and vocals in several European languages, the result is a unique and joyful fusion of superbly delivered music.  Prepare to be transported through the smoky jazz clubs of 1930s Paris and Hamburg to the grand cafés of Europe, New York, and South America.  Dig out your dancing shoes (we defy you to keep still!) or just sit back and enjoy the show.

Susanna Warren – clarinet/bass clarinet/vocals
Mike Hatchard – keyboard, violin, vocals
Jeremy Young – guitar
Nick Kacal – Double bass

Fleur Stevenson / Hugh Turner

A familiar face on the London jazz scene, Fleur Stevenson is gifted with a honeyed tone, an offbeat sense of humour and a naturally charismatic stage presence. Fleur creates an instant rapport with her audience through sparkling narrative and an unerring instinct for choosing the right material to showcase her talent.

Hugh Turner is a superbly exiting guitarist – his playing style is steeped in the blues and combined with the funkier side of jazz, creates a sonically exciting soundscape that fizzes with power, groove and stunning musicality. Hugh’s music appeals to a wide range of audiences – from jazz aficionados to lovers of raw, musical energy and his performances have been a huge success at jazz clubs and music venues throughout the UK for over two decades.

Fleur Stevenson – Vocals
Hugh Turner – guitar
Stuart Henderson – Trumpet
Mike Green – Double bass

Jingu Bang

We are delighted to have the exciting Jingu Bang kicking off the proceedings at this years festival.

Their free-flowing funk mastery is expressed across the lands through both their own creations and by honouring the works of Herbie Hancock & The Headhunters, Jaco Pastorius, Weather Report and others.

Ruth Hammond – Tenor sax, Bass clarinet, Melodica, Korg Synth
Dale Hambridge – Keyboards
Greig Robinson – Bass
Tammy Payne – Percussion
Scott Hammond – Drums and gong

Guido Spannocchi

Guido Spannocchi known for his extensive catalogue of original compositions challenging genre boundaries will be playing a selection of his tunes together with his long standing quartet consisting of Danny Keane on piano, Jason Simpson on bass & Finn Genockey on drums. With a focus on interplay the group float effortlessly between grooves and exotica with hints of folk and a solid regard to tradition.

Spannocchi’s music is inspired by extensive touring all over the world and presents a musical journey in itself.

Guido Spannocchi – Sax
Danny Keane – Keys
Jason Simpson – Bass
Finn Genockey – Drums and gong

Gary Bamford Trio

During their musical lifetimes, the three musicians have gathered a wealth of musical experience, between them playing in punk and metal bands; orchestras, brass bands and theatre pits; big bands; pop, rock and indie bands; blues and funk outfits, and a plethora of jazz ensembles, as well as writing for film, theatre, choir, orchestra and big band.

Their debut album “God, Love and Other Myths” (2017) comprises thirteen largely groove based compositions (penned by Bamford), and contains elements of jazz, jazz-funk, funk-rock, free jazz,
drum and bass, and progressive rock. Art Rockin’ magazine described the album as a “joyous journey of superb music…the chemistry is astounding”.

Rob is unfortunately unable to join us at the Highworth Jazz Festival, but we have a worthy replacement in the shape of Scott Hammond (Jethro Tull, Jingu Bang, The Hopkins-Hammond Trio, Art Themen). Gary and Scott have been friends (and been playing together) for over thirty years and Scott played on Gary’s debut album, Jadj, twenty years ago.

Gary Bamford – Keys / Effects
Al Swainger – Bass / Effects
Rob Brian – Drums

Marco Marconi

We’re delighted to be able to bring you one of the most exciting pianists on the scene today – the remarkable MARCO MARCONI.

Marco left his home in Umbria over a decade ago, to pursue a dream – creating unique and innovative jazz in UK – and he is now a firm and much admired fixture at venues throughout the country. A truly classically trained pianist, he is recognised as a predominantly jazz musician and with several of his own recordings to his credit plus a reputation as both a brilliant accompanist and a superb, often surprising band leader in his own right.

Marco will be interpreting a clutch of much loved jazz standards: his fellow players (bassist Paul Jefferies and the much in demand Mark Whitlam) will add their own mark to this highly musically rewarding performance. 

Marco Marconi – Piano
Paul Jefferies – Bass
Mark Whitlam – Drums

Colin Campell Band

Featuring a serious line-up of hard hitting musos, the Colin Campbell draw their inspiration firmly from the classic periods of Art Blakey and the Jazz Messengers. Expect fireworks, as the band lays down some killer hard bop classics.

The stellar line-up. includes Colin Campbell on Alto, been part of the London Scene for the last twenty years playing at the 606, Ronnie Scotts Late Show, Troy Bar, and Scala Club. Colin plays out of the Hard Bop/Blue Note tradition and the classic standard repertoire of 40’s and 50’s. Alongside Colin on the front line is tenor sax man Andor Jensen, and multi-instrumentalist and composer Neil Yates on trumpet.

The rhythm section, is no less star studded with James Owston on Bass, up-and-coming Guitarist Tom Remon, born, raised and based in North London. Tom is an Alumni of the artist development program Tomorrow’s Warriors, and finally on drums, Jim Bashford, a go to drummer for many, having played with everyone from Soweto Kinch to Katie Melua.

Colin Campbell – Alto Sax
Andor Jensen – Tenor Sax
Neil Yates – Trumpet
James Owston – Bass
Jim Bashford – Drums
Tom Remon – Guitar