Liverpool International Jazz Festival will be back and bigger than ever next month

Liverpool International Jazz Festival takes over the city once again next month.

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.

For the best value and experience, 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 which must be purchased separately for capacity purposes.

Free Afternoon Showcase: Sat 21st Feb 2026, 12pm, Baltic Market

The festival kicks off with an incredible FREE EVENT at The Baltic Market on Stanhope Street in The Baltic Triangle courtesy of Parrjazz! Featuring Jack Taylor Ensemble – Virtuoso guitar jazz, jazz, funk, Latin, and fusion, Bearcat Gumbo – All female five-piece who play jaunty, jazz-age tunes and DJ Copious Notes & DJ Jabjazz – all-vinyl jazz-spectrum DJs!

Free William Ellis Photography Exhibition: Thurs 26th Feb, 6pm, The Capstone Theatre Foyer

This free event is a private viewing of Liverpool photographer William Ellis’ fine jazz musician captures! Enjoy striking images of Clark Terry, Dee Dee Bridgewater, Dizzy Gillespie, Emmet Cohen, Herbie Hancock, Horace Silver, Lenny White, Marcus Miller, McCoy Tyner, Miles Davis, Nancy Wilson, Pat Metheny, Ravi Coltrane, Ron Cater and Tony Bennett.

Tim Garland and Geoffrey Keezer: Thurs 26th Feb, 7.30pm, The Capstone Theatre

In Spring 2025 in New York, Grammy award-winning musicians Tim Garland (saxophone) and Geoffrey Keezer (piano) recorded a 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.

Throughout an international career starting in the late 1980’s, Grammy-winning saxophonist Tim Garland has become known as a unique polymath in the UK’s music scene. Meanwhile, Geoffrey Keezer is a Grammy-winning pianist, composer, arranger and producer who has toured and recorded with Sting and a host of big names.

Improvised Art Jazz: Thurs 26th Feb, 9pm, Hobo Pub

Another Fringe event with Improvised Art Jazz at Hobo Pub, Jamaica Street, in The Baltic Triangle from 8pm until 12am. 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.

Free Youth Collective Showcase: Fri 27th Feb, 1pm, The Capstone Theatre

In this free lunchtime concert, Liverpool Hope University Big Band under the direction of Dr Tom Sykes will perform a varied programme. Talented students from local secondary schools will also perform, including some joint items with the Big Band.

David Helbock and Julia Hofer: Fri 27th Feb, 7.30pm, The Capstone Theatre

David Helbock, 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 (CH) as well as the “Outstanding Artist Award” from the Austrian government.

In his latest project, Helbock has teamed up with the versatile electric bassist and cellist Julia Hofer from Vienna as his duo partner. Hofer has gained recognition primarily in the pop world, whether through tours with the No Angels or appearances on German TV shows like those of Stefan Raab.

Mutant Jazz: Fri 27th Feb, 9pm, Quarry

A fantastic Fringe event with Mutant Jazz at Quarry on Hardman Street from 9pm until very late! Featuring Bonk! (Theatrical funk), Tian Qiyi (Chinese dub jazz psych fusion), Misha Gray’s Intergalactic Jazz Quintet (Off-planet super-group), Grounded Thread (Contemporary jazz with cello and tap-dancing ft. Alex McDowall on Guitar, Pablo Sonnaillon on Bass, Georgina Aasgaard on Cello and Sole Rebel UK tap-dancers), MC Motormouf hosting and DJ Copious Notes (all-vinyl jazz-spectrum DJ).

Milap & LIJF Presents Zoe Rahman and Arun Ghosh: Sat 28th Feb, 1pm, The Capstone Theatre

Milap and Liverpool International Jazz Festival jointly 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 treat for audiences, the pair are a match made in heaven and will be fusing some truly beautiful sounds together for Liverpool International Jazz Festival 2026.

Jazz & Cake: Sat 28th Feb, 4pm, Commune

A fascinating Fringe concept as jazz and cake collide at Commune on Constance Street from 4pm until 6pm! 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!

Robert Mitchell’s Little Black Book: Sat 28th Feb, 7.30pm, The Capstone Theatre

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.

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 brings together three bravura players in an uplifting celebration. 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.

Secret Jazz Explosion: Sat 28th Feb, 9pm, Quarry

This Fringe event, Secret Jazz Explosion with Jam, comes to Quarry on Hardman Street from 9pm until very late. Featuring grassroots jazz ensemble Finite Experience, Vinyl DJs, featured artists Elmss and Blueprint, MC Motormouf hosting and massive live jam led by Finite Experience!

Martin Taylor: Sun 1st March, 1pm, The Capstone Theatre

Award winning guitarist Martin Taylor MBE has established a unique musical career as an internationally acclaimed musician, and his inimitable style has seen him recognized 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 musicians from many different musical genre including Stephane Grappelli, Jeff Beck, Gary Burton, Chet Atkins, Bill Wyman, George Harrison, Dionne Warwick, Diane Schuur and Jamie Cullum.

Marius Neset Quartet: Sun 1st March, 7.30pm, The Capstone Theatre

Marius Neset 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. Widely regarded as one of the best saxophonists of is generation, The Telegraph once stated: “Marius Neset is a marvel. He makes his instrument dance like a gazelle and soar like an eagle”.

The Norwegian has now received well over twenty awards and award nominations including the prestigious Edvard prize and Spellemanprisen in Norway, and the ECHO Awards and the Preis der Deutschen SchallplaRen KriJk in Germany. He was also the only European to be listed as one of “25 for the Future” by Downbeat in 2016.

Closing Party: Sun 1st March, 9pm, Quarry

LIJF Fringe Festival’s huge Closing Party at Quarry on Hardman Street – 9pm until late and 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.

Liverpool’s largest and longest standing jazz festival, Liverpool International Jazz Festival, returns for another extravaganza this February and thanks to the collaboration with local institution Parrjazz, it’s set to be the biggest yet.