http://www.highworthjazzfestival.com/

Highworth Jazz Festival, 28 High Street, High Street (2026)

07/06/2026

A huge, heartfelt THANK YOU from Martin and Ray, AKA the festival organisers, to absolutely everyone who made the Highworth Jazz Festival such an unforgettable success. We have already received some incredible feedback and support 😊. 🎷🎺🪘🎸🎹

To every artist who took to the stage: you were extraordinary. Twenty incredible performances, each one a reminder of just how powerful live jazz truly is. You didn’t just play notes - you filled rooms with joy, set feet tapping, got bodies swaying, soothed the soul, and put the most wonderful smiles on the faces of nearly 300 people. That is everything we hoped for and more.

To our generous sponsors and Highworth Town Council: none of this exists without you. Your belief in the festival and in the magic of music coming together in our community means the world to us.

To our venues, the Wine Bar, and the last minute edition, the Saracens Head Hotel, thank you so much, and also a special and heartfelt thank you to Katie and the entire team at the The Highworth Hotel, your continued support of the festival means so much to us, and on the day itself you were simply outstanding, always smiling, and made every single person who walked through your doors feel genuinely welcomed and valued.🙏🥂

And our brilliant sound tech teams, the Kritikal crew - Seamus and Evan, Simon and Clive. Outstanding work gentlemen. 🙌🙌🙏

Seeing people shoulder-to-shoulder, dancing, laughing, connecting over a shared love of jazz, that is exactly why we do it.

To every single volunteer who gave their time, their energy, and their enthusiasm: you are the backbone of this festival. Your hardwork on the day and dedication to making this festival a success has been nothing short of epic.

It has been months in the making, planning, artist programming and liaison, marketing, logistics, scheduling, endless lists, all leading to one glorious day that proved, once again, that music has a unique and beautiful power to bring people together. To fill a town with warmth. To turn strangers into friends.

And finally, to all of you that purchased tickets, a massive thank you! You showed up, you danced, you smiled, and you made it all worthwhile.

With so much gratitude,

Martin & Ray
Highworth Jazz Festival Organisers 🎶

06/06/2026

First coffee of the day! Getting set for a fantastic day! Thank you Weigh it up Matthew Aherne Michelle Aherne for your support 👊👊

05/06/2026

Welcome to the third Highworth Jazz Festival and thank you for supporting our event. We pride ourselves in a 100% jazz focused event offering the very finest in Jazz from the UK and beyond. Highworth Jazz Festival operates on a strictly not-for-profit basis ensuring that all proceeds from your ticket will be used to pay the musicians.

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NEWS FLASH

We have taken the decision to move the market square stage in doors! The weather forecast is not looking to clever - strong wind and rain so it will be to risky.

The Saracens Head Hotel has kindly stepped in to help. There will still be a free stage for all to enjoy but with an extra roof over our heads!

The Saracens is simply located opposite the market square and will be open from 8:30am serving breakfast until 10:30am, just in time for our first act of the day, local legend Bob Bowles at 11am!

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As you move through our beautiful High Street, you will see our Festival Makers in their bright T-shirts. Feel free to stop and ask directions, where to get food, where the toilets are etc. Festival makers will also be checking your wristbands as you access the venues to ensure that we can manage the capacity effectively. They are all there to help make your day enjoyable. As they are all unpaid volunteers, please treat them with respect.

We encourage you to try and see as many of the performances as possible, the beauty of this style of festival is the ability to plan your day, your way, with your own itinerary of the coolest sounds.

Getting to the festival:

By Train – There is a main station in Swindon with fast trains to London , Bristol and Wales.

By Bus – Buses are available from the main bus station close to the train station in Swindon. Buses run every 10 minutes with the last bus from Highworth at midnight.

By Car – Highworth is easily accessed from the M4, A319, A420 and A40 being only 10 minutes from Junction 15, 25 minutes from Oxford and Cheltenham. On arrival, there is free car parking in Highworth as shown on the map.

When you arrive:

You will need to exchange your ticket for a wristband at the Visit Highworth centre opposite the market square While you are in the centre, feel free to browse around and ask any questions about the history of the High Street and its amazing buildings.

Once you have your wrist band, head along the High Street and look for buildings with bright bunting outside them. These are our festival venues.

If you are not sure, find a ‘Festival Maker’ and ask directions, or for information about the bands or where to get drinks etc.

The venues:

There are 5 venues for you to choose from. Each venue has limited capacity so please try to gain access early if you particularly want to see a band. Once the venue is full, we will ask you to find another venue to ensure everyone’s safety.

Please note that the Wine Bar has an uneven path leading to steep steps which are the only access. There is no disabled toilet in the venue.

Facilities:

Highworth has an active high street with over 16 outlets such as pubs like the King and Queen, Saracens Head, Highworth Hotel, coffee shops such as Weigh it Up, The Old Bakery and Bloomfields, who will be only too happy to serve you. You can choose from Italian, Indian, Chinese - Chinese is takeout only), Kebab, Fried Chicken, Pizzas, Fish and Chip shops (Smarts has recently been voted the best in the area!). There is also a cider stall in the market square, courtesy of the Cotswold Cider Co.

There are numerous toilets available throughout the venues. You can always ask a Festival Maker for directions or recommendations. A big thank you to this years supporters, your generosity is massively appreciated!!

That’s it folk, all there is to do now is let the good times roll! We look forward to welcoming you, and thank you again for your support, without which, this festival would just be a dream!

All the best.

Martin & Ray

05/06/2026

Artist Spotlight!

Bringing a bold and genre blending sound to this year’s festival, the Robert Brian Quartet moves effortlessly across the jazz spectrum, from the timeless feel of swing through to Latin rhythms, funk, drum & bass and beyond. Their approach reimagines familiar material with a strong rhythmic identity, creating performances that are both inventive and deeply engaging.

At the helm is Grammy winning drummer Robert Brian, whose wide ranging career has seen him work across multiple musical worlds. With this quartet, he returns to where it all began, jazz, channelling his experience into a project that’s full of creativity, spontaneity and groove.

Audiences can expect a set packed with energy, unexpected twists, and stylistic crossover, where classic influences meet a forward thinking approach.

Remember: Highworth Jazz Festival is completely not‑for‑profit. Buying your tickets early really helps support the festival and guarantees your place for what will be a truly special performance.

04/06/2026

Artist Spotlight!

Vocalist Nicole Warfield, accompanied by the Shades of Silver Quintet, brings a refined and expressive take on the jazz and swing repertoire, delivered with warmth, elegance and sophistication.

Nicole’s journey into jazz began with the Gloucestershire Youth Jazz Orchestra, where she first developed her voice as a vocalist. She went on to study Music Performance at Dartington Hall, and has continued to immerse herself in a wide range of musical projects, shaping a style that is both versatile and deeply rooted in the jazz tradition.

Backing her is the Shades of Silver Quintet, a UK based group known for their distinctive sound, blending new deep jazz grooves with classic Blue Note influences. Led in part by saxophonist Ray Stephens, who is also one of the organisers behind Highworth Jazz Festival, the group creates a rich, textured backdrop for Nicole’s vocals, combining groove, nuance and tight ensemble playing.

Featuring:

Nicole Warfield - vocals
Ray Stephens – sax
Rob Maycock – keys
Geoff Maycock – guitar
Tom Hillier – bass
Sam Causer – drums

Expect a stylish and engaging set that honours the great traditions of jazz and swing while bringing a fresh, contemporary feel to the stage.

Don't forget: Highworth Jazz Festival is completely not‑for‑profit. Buying your tickets early really helps support the festival and guarantees your place for what will be a truly special performance.

(Partially sponsored by Highworth Town Council)

03/06/2026

Artist Spotlight!

Three Bop is a dynamic guitar led trio bringing a fresh and engaging approach to jazz, Latin, and reimagined pop classics.
Featuring Steve Browning (guitar), John Cook (double bass) and Paul Boniface (drums), the trio combines a wealth of musical experience with a shared passion for jazz composition, interpretation and performance. Their sound is rooted in strong interplay, melodic creativity and a deep understanding of the jazz tradition.

With a broad and adaptable repertoire, Three Bop tailor their performances to suit the occasion, from festival appearances at Cheltenham, Stroud and Swanage Jazz Festivals, where they showcase their original compositions, to more intimate sets built around jazz standards and sophisticated arrangements.

Expect a performance that moves effortlessly between styles, blending originality with familiar favourites, all delivered with subtlety, groove and musical flair!

Don't forget: Highworth Jazz Festival is completely not‑for‑profit. Buying your tickets early really helps support the festival and guarantees your place for what will be a truly special performance.

(Partially sponsored by Highworth Town Council)

02/06/2026

Artist Spotlight!

Making their Highworth Jazz Festival debut and originally listed as the Paul Crowther Trio, The ChesterWood Quartet bring together a group of exciting emerging talent with a shared love of the jazz canon.

Led by Stroud based pianist Paul Crowther, this young group has quickly developed a reputation for their swinging feel and thoughtful approach to repertoire. Formed out of a desire to explore tunes beyond the usual jam session staples, the quartet focuses on hard‑bop and post bop classics, alongside beautifully chosen ballads and lesser heard gems.

Expect “hip” arrangements of well known standards alongside deep cuts from the Real Book tradition, with selections including Daahoud, Cubano Chant, Nardis, Jeanine and the hauntingly lyrical Spring Can Really Hang You Up The Most. Their sound balances groove, sensitivity and exploratory improvisation, bringing fresh energy to timeless material.

Featuring:

Paul Crowther – piano
Graeme Owen – double bass
Ben Williams – drums
Andrew McKenzie – guitar

A rising group with a passion for the tradition and an ear for discovery, The Chester Wood Quartet promise a set full of swing, interplay and classic jazz spirit.

Don't forget: Highworth Jazz Festival is completely not‑for‑profit. Buying your tickets early really helps support the festival and guarantees your place for what will be a truly special performance.

(Partially Sponsored by Highworth Town Council)

28/05/2026

Artist Spotlight!

Back for another year at Highworth Jazz Festival, Chris ‘Santo’ Cobbson returns with his Afro Jazz Quartet, a powerful and immersive project exploring the depth and diversity of African musical traditions.

From the highlife grooves of Ghana to the hypnotic scales of Ethiopia, the ancient echoes of Egypt, the river born rhythms of Gambia and the driving vibrant sounds of Nigeria, this quartet weaves Africa’s rich musical languages into a bold and contemporary jazz conversation. The result is a sound that feels both deeply rooted and strikingly modern. Expect intricate improvisation, deep rhythmic interplay and moments that feel timeless yet completely new, a set full of energy, colour and musical storytelling.

Widely regarded as one of the most exciting and in demand guitarists in the UK, Chris Cobbson has performed with an extraordinary range of artists, including Osibisa, Courtney Pine, The JBs (Maceo Parker, P*e Wee Ellis, Fred Wesley), Monty Alexander, Andy Sheppard, Jean Toussaint, the Ronnie Scott’s Big Band, Sheila Ferguson, Omar, Curtis Stigers, Imelda May, and Light of the World, among many others. A prolific composer and arranger, his playing reflects decades of experience across jazz, soul, funk and global music.

A returning favourite with a truly global sound, this is set to be one of the most dynamic and rhythmically driving performances of the festival.

Don't forget: Highworth Jazz Festival is completely not‑for‑profit. Buying your tickets early really helps support the festival and guarantees your place for what will be a truly special performance.

27/05/2026

Sponsor Spotlight!

We’d like to take a moment to say a huge thank you to the amazing local businesses who continue to support Highworth Jazz Festival year after year.

Your backing helps us bring incredible live music to the town and keep the festival thriving, we simply couldn’t do it without you.

We’re proud to be supported at this year’s festival by:

Andrews Quality Meats
🌐 https://andrewsqualitymeatsltd.co.uk/
📞 01793 762085

A Mag Systems
🌐 https://www.amagsystems.co.uk/
📞 +44 (0)1793 759200

Weigh It Up
🌐 https://weighituphighworth.co.uk/
📞 07470123032

The Number Crunchers
🌐 https://thenumbercrunchers.cloud/
📞 01285 339000

Prints and Threads
🌐 https://www.printsandthreads.co.uk/
📞 +44 1285 640111

Bloomfields fine food
🌐 https://www.bloomfieldsfinefood.co.uk/
📞01793 766399 (Highworth)

Barton Court Therapies
🌐 https://www.bartoncourt-therapies.co.uk/

Highworth Town Council
🌐 https://highworthtowncouncil.gov.uk/
📞01793 762377

Reuben Digital
🌐 https://www.reubendigital.co.uk/
📞 +44 (0)1793 861443

Your continued support makes a real difference, thank you for being part of the festival.

We’re still looking for sponsors for this year’s event. If you’d like to support Highworth Jazz Festival and be part of something special, please get in touch with us.

Don't forget: Highworth Jazz Festival is completely not‑for‑profit. Buying your tickets early really helps support the festival and guarantees your place for what will be a truly special performance.

(Partially sponsored by Highworth Town Council)

Highworth Jazz Festival

07/06/2026

06/06/2026

05/06/2026

05/06/2026

04/06/2026

03/06/2026

02/06/2026

28/05/2026

27/05/2026

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