BIF ANNOUNCES 2025 JAZZ LINE-UP

Buxton International Festival will announce its 2025 jazz line-up at a special launch party today (1 November) at The Palace Hotel, Buxton.   The festival’s popular Jazz Weekender tickets also go on sale granting access to all BIF jazz events during the festival’s opening weekend, 10-13 July inclusive, for a discounted price of £175.

The Dean Stockdale Trio, with Gavin Barras on bass and Gaz Hughes on drums, will headline the launch as they pay tribute to 100 years of Oscar Peterson. Joining them is Rwandan-born Belgium vocalist Ineza; Emily Masser, hailed as “the new star of British jazz” (Jazz Journal); and local violin virtuoso Graham Clark, who starred in the 2022 festival.

Commenting on the launch event, BIF’s Jazz Director Neil Hughes said: “We are so excited to announce BIF’s 2025 jazz programme and to launch the sale of our Jazz Weekender tickets.  It’s a great opportunity to bag a ticket early on! The Jazz Weekender offers 12 gigs, including jazz, blues, funk and Latin, plus an Oscar Peterson extravaganza. Events will take place in our own intimate jazz club at The Palace Hotel as well as at the Pavilion Arts Centre, both in the heart of town.”

The 2025 Jazz Weekender line-up includes:

Thursday, 10 July

·      INEZA – Jazz at the Palace, 7pm

Rwandan-born, Belgian vocalist Ineza and her quartet will present an exclusive preview of her debut album, to be released in late ‘25.

·      GRAHAM CLARK QUARTET – Jazz at the Palace, 9.30pm – 11pm

Violin virtuoso Graham Clark returns to BIF after a stunning gig in 2022. A Buxton resident for over 25 years, Clark is well-known for his weekly jazz residencies and his unique blend of jazz, rock, and experimental music.

Friday, 11 July

• EMILY MASSER QUARTET featuring Alex Clarke – Jazz at the Palace, 12pm – 1.30pm

Emily Masser is fast becoming one of the most exciting young voices in the jazz scene.  At just 20 years old, the Wigan-born vocalist has gained recognition from jazz luminaries following her debut album Introducing Emily Masser, recorded with The Clark Tracey Quintet.

• TRIO JDM – Jazz at the Palace, 2.30pm – 4pm

Drummer Dave Walsh, guitarist Jamie Taylor and Martin Longhawn on hammond organ play material from a wide range of composers and eras.

• BAIANA featuring Snowboy – Jazz at the Palace, 8pm – 9.30pm

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

• BUTCHER’S BREW30pm – Jazz at the Palace, late

A late-night treat, with the fabulous Butcher’s Brew playing jazz, funk, blue note and Latin.

Saturday, 12 July

• ALAN BARNES PRESENTS ‘A Celebration of Art Pepper’s Centenary’ – Jazz at the Palace, 1pm – 3.30pm

Alan’s Inspiration: ‘I have assembled this all-star band to celebrate the centenary of Art Pepper’s birth in 1925.

• DEAN STOCKDALE QUARTET WITH STRINGS PRESENTS ‘100 Years of Oscar Peterson’ plus special guests Alan Barnes, Mark Armstrong and Emily Masser – Pavilion Arts Centre, 7pm – 9.30pm

Following an acclaimed performance last year, the Dean Stockdale Quartet returns with a new set for a very special evening to honour the one and only Oscar Peterson, born August 15th 1925. 2025 will mark the legendary jazz pianist’s 100th birthday.

• EMMA RAWICZ QUARTET – Jazz at the Palace, 10pm – late

Emma Rawicz is a young saxophonist, bandleader, and composer with astonishing musical maturity, just 22 years of age.

Sunday, 13 July

• DODEKA – Jazz at the Palace, 1pm – 2.30pm

Ivo Neame’s ‘Dodeka’ is a unique new band formed in 2022.

• XHOSA COLE QUARTET PRESENTS Freemonk – Jazz at the Palace, 4pm – 6pm

We are delighted to welcome the return of Xhosa Cole. He celebrates the compositions of pianist Thelonious Monk. FreeMonk explores, abstracts and collages Monk’s compositions, breaking his music out of convention and breathing new life into these timeless tunes.

• GEORGINA JACKSON’S ‘SASS AND BRASS’ With her Mighty Mini Big Band – Jazz at the Palace, 8pm – 9.30pm

Expect a velvet-voiced pick and mix of swinging, bluesy ballads and iconic songs, alongside a hefty dose of sizzling brass.