Orphy Robinson, Vijay Iyer Trio and Zakir Hussain for the EFG London Jazz Festival’s full live return

The EFG London Jazz Festival is set to make a full return to in-person concerts this autumn, running from Friday 12 to Sunday 21 November at venues across the capital. The event’s successful move into the digital domain and livestreaming last year will continue, but the organisers plan it as an add-on to full capacity concerts. With the Southbank Centre announcing its full reopening from 17 May, the first tranche of names revealed are all at the multi-venue Thames-side location and include a wide selection of UK and international artists.

Things kick off with the popular opening night vocal gala, Jazz Voice, on 12 November at the Royal Festival Hall, with Guy Barker leading the festival’s 40-piece Jazz Orchestra with special guests to be confirmed soon. Among the big names revealed is lauded US pianist (and recent Jazzwise cover star) Vijay Iyer, who brings his exciting new Trio with bassist Linda May Han Oh and drummer Tyshawn Sorey to the Queen Elizabeth Hall (QEH) on 14 November, while Tomorrow’s Warriors’ 24-piece Nu Civilisation Orchestra, led by pianist/MD Peter Edwards, celebrate the 50th anniversary of Marvin Gaye’s classic album What’s Going On, at the QEH (18 Nov). Further highlights include Bryter Layter: A Nick Drake Celebration from award-winning vibist Orphy Robinson and flautist Rowland Sutherland alongside folk luminaries Emily Portman and Alasdair Roberts to celebrate Drake’s seminal album.

Further artists so far confirmed for Cadogan Hall, Jazz Café, EartH and Union Chapel include this month’s cover star Julian Lage, Cleveland and Django - Arts and Crafts, Jaimie Branch, Terje Isungset, The Necks, Bill Laurance & The Untold Orchestra, Dave Holland and John Scofield, Dianne Reeves, Joey Alexander plus Noemi Nuti, Lakecia Benjamin and Sarathy Korwar. The Barbican are set to announce their LJF programme in late May so see Jazzwise online for more details. Jazzwise are festival media partners.

All dates so far announced are:

Friday 12 November

Jazz Voice | Royal Festival Hall
Joachim Cooder + Sam Amidon | Queen Elizabeth Hall
Julian Lage | Cadogan Hall   

Saturday 13 November

Tony Allen: A Retrospective | Royal Festival Hall
Curated by Femi Koleoso, Remi Kabaka, Ben Okri and Damon Albarn  
Bryter Layter: A Nick Drake Celebration | Queen Elizabeth Hall
Lakecia Benjamin | Cadogan Hall
Irreversible Entanglements | Kings Place

Sunday 14 November

Dave Holland and John Scofield | Cadogan Hall
Amadou & Mariam | Royal Festival Hall
Vijay Iyer, Linda May Han Oh, Tyshawn Sorey | Queen Elizabeth Hall  
Cleveland Watkiss and Django Bates: Arts and Crafts | Kings Place
Sarathy Korwar with special guests | EartH

Wednesday 17 November

Woodkid | Royal Festival Hall
Joey Alexander + Noemi Nuti | Cadogan Hall

Thursday 18 November

What’s Going On: Nu Civilization Orchestra | Queen Elizabeth Hall
Celebrating the 50th anniversary of Marvin Gaye’s What’s Going On  
Kandace Springs | Alexandra Palace Theatre
Anthony Joseph | Kings Place 

Friday 19 November

Yo La Tengo | Royal Festival Hall
Frazey Ford | Union Chapel 
Omar Sosa & Seckou Keita | Queen Elizabeth Hall
Terje Isungset | Kings Place 
Jaimie Branch | Jazz Café

Saturday 20 November

Average White Band: Saturday Night Funk! | Royal Festival Hall
Dianne Reeves | Cadogan Hall
Bill Laurance & The Untold Orchestra | Union Chapel  
Stefano Bollani | Queen Elizabeth Hall
The Necks | Kings Place

Sunday 21 November

Zakir Hussain | Royal Festival Hall  
Matt Calvert | Kings Place

Tickets are on sale from 10am on Friday 21 May – for more info visit www.efglondonjazzfestival.org.uk