Hermeto Pascoal, Jasmine Myra and Bill Frisell added to EFG London Jazz Festival 2025

The next wave of names for this year’s EFG London Jazz Festival have been announced for the capital’s biggest live music event that runs for 10-days from Friday 15 November to Sunday 24 November. Notable additions include legendary 88-year old Brazilian composer and multi-instrumentalist Hermeto Pascoal and his Grupo, who return to the Barbican (16 November). Another jazz heavyweight added to the line-up is guitar guru Bill Frisell who returns with his Trio (Cadogan Hall, 21 Nov), while it’s cult progressive Chicago band Tortoise who will perform songs from the eagerly awaited new album (title TBA) when they appear at the Barbican (22 Nov).

There’s a welcome appearance from top German pianist Michael Wollny and his Trio on a double bill with ACT Music labelmate Emma Rawicz and her INKYRA fusion six-piece (Queen Elizabeth Hall, 16 Nov), while another leading artist on the German imprint, Norwegian sax star Marius Neset, will join forces once more with the London Sinfonietta to perform a new piece by emerging composer Ashkan Leyegh who draws inspiration from Persian music. 

Further names include Gondwana signed alto saxophonist Jasmine Myra who performs a string-fuelled set at Hackney Church (18 Nov); resurgent trumpeter/singer Emma Jean Thackray performs songs from her new album Weirdo at KOKO (20 Nov), and jazz sampling guru and producer Matthew Herbert revisits his 1990s house music mononym persona when he appears as Herbert & Momoko with the latter on vocals (Village Underground, 23 Nov).

There’s a celebration of vibrant East Asian culture and sounds with a night of Japanese Jazz at the Barbican (23 Nov), while there’s a sumptuous night of classic jazz sounds under the banner of Swingin’ With Strings at Cadogan Hall (23 Nov). This sees the Jazz Repertory Company celebrate its 50th concert at Cadogan Hall with a show featuring Pete Long’s 40-piece orchestra in a rich selection of music from the 1950s and 60s including songs from Sinatra‘s Capitol and Reprise years, Billie Holiday‘s iconic ballads album, Lady In Satin, plus selections from Ella Fitzgerald, Dinah Washington and Nat ‘King’ Cole. Iain Mackenzie sings Sinatra, Clare Martin sings Billie and Ella, Vimala Rowe sings Dinah and Peter Savizon sings Nat ‘King’ Cole. They’re accompanied by an orchestra made up of top UK jazz musicians and leading string players.

Left-field pop, jazz and world gigs also announced include Aja Monet (Artist in Residence) Barbican (12 - 14 Nov); Adekunle Gold with Strings (Royal Festival Hall, 23 Nov); Joan As Police Woman (EartH Theatre, 15 Nov); and The Weather Station with Strings (EartH Theatre, 21 Nov).

These names join those already announced in Jazzwise, including Jazz Voice Opening Gala at the Royal Festival Hall (14 Nov); Kurt Elling/The Yellowjackets play the music of Weather Report (Cadogan Hall, 15 Nov); Dee Dee Bridgewater presents We Exist! (Barbican, 15 Nov); Tanita Tikaram (Royal Festival Hall, 15 Nov); Chris Thile (Queen Elizabeth Hall, 15 Nov); Makaya McCraven (KOKO, 19 Nov); Hiromi’s Sonicwonder (Barbican, 21 Nov) and Tune-Yards (Royal Festival Hall, 22 Nov). Jazzwise is festival media partner.

For full details and tickets visit www.efglondonjazzfestival.org.uk