Hull Jazz Festival returns throughout November 2026 for its 34th edition, bringing a diverse programme of live jazz, new commissions, emerging artists and free events to venues across the city.
This year marks a new chapter for the festival following founder and long-standing director David Porter stepping back after 32 years at the helm. Founded in 1993, the festival now enters a new era led by Hull Music Service alongside Hull City Council Arts Development Team
The 2026 programme takes place across Hull Truck Theatre, The Albemarle Music Centre, Polar Bear Music Club, The People’s Republic and Garbutts, bringing together internationally acclaimed artists, emerging talent and Hull’s own vibrant jazz community.
The festival opens with acclaimed pianist and composer Zoe Rahman, performing Hull Suite Live at Hull Truck Theatre. Originally commissioned by Hull Jazz Festival, the work draws on themes of voyage, migration and the sea, alongside Rahman’s family history and connections to Hull.
Out of the Box, the festival’s platform for new and experimental work, with three new commissions from Hull artists exploring contemporary jazz alongside rap, spoken word, acoustic instruments and technology.
London trombonist and composer Christ-Stéphane Boizi brings his sextet to Hull Truck Theatre, with the Tomorrow’s Warriors artist drawing on hard bop, Black Church music and the jazz tradition of Art Blakey, Horace Silver and Jackie McLean.
Elsewhere, Mambo Jambo collaborate with Hull Samba, Lyn Acton & Dan Edwards perform jazz and Latin classics at Garbutts, and Andy Scott & Hull Youth Jazz Orchestra showcase the next generation of musicians at The Albemarle Music Centre.
At The People’s Republic, Yorkshire duo Ain’t That Got Swing! bring their take on authentic Gypsy Jazz Swing, while Polar Bear Jazz Club returns for an informal celebration of live jazz bringing musicians and audiences together.
For the full programme and booking information, visit hulljazzfestival.co.uk/whats-on.