Upton Jazz Festival

30/06/2026

On 26 - 28 June over 50 performances we welcomed 120 + young performers 120+ local musicians and over 130 of the top jazz bands and musicians ….and hundreds of people to the 39th Jazz Festival in our lovely riverside town of Upton-upon-Severn. 9 venues, some free to enter, mostly full. We had a ball and from the flood of thanks over the festival and so many comments since so did our audiences.

'We had a wonderful weekend’ ‘Brilliant music’ 'What a lovely atmosphere’ 'Great time’ ’Thanks to all your friendly team’ ’So well organised' 'Fabulous Jazz Festival weekend'

Our thanks to everyone…you know who you are. See you next year. 👏😀⭐️😎

25/06/2026

Upton Jazz Festival 2026 ; change of plan
The Jazz starts on Friday evening June 26th with 3 concerts, all free to enter, and you can stroll around the venues
8.00pm - 10.30pm at the Rugby Club
Panama Jazz Band : classic New Orleans jazz. There will be no
food served at the Rugby Club - the music starts at 8.00pm
8.00pm - 10.30pm at the Swan Hotel
Malvern Jazz Jam
Bring your instrument or voice and a chart. Book a slot.
Bar menu will be served at the Swan from 6pm to 8pm
7.00pm - 9.30pm at Bar 7
Debbie Arthurs Quintet
The fabulous music of Annette Hanshaw (1920s) from Debbie, Dave, Keith, Malcolm and our very own Rachel; and a well-stocked bar, of course.

24/06/2026

Upton Jazz Festival 2026
The Jazz starts on Friday evening June 26th with 3 concerts, all free to enter, and you can stroll around the venues

8.00pm - 10.30pm at the Rugby Club
Panama Jazz Band : classic New Orleans jazz.
Jazz themed food served from 7.00pm on Friday and at both sessions on Saturday

8.00pm - 10.30pm at the Swan Hotel
Malvern Jazz Jam
Bring your instrument or voice and a chart. Book a slot.
Bar menu will be served at the Swan from 6pm to 8pm

7.00pm - 9.30pm at Bar 7
Debbie Arthurs Quintet
The fabulous music of Annette Hanshaw (1920s) from Debbie, Dave, Keith, Malcolm and our very own Rachel; and a well-stocked bar, of course.

22/06/2026

A warm welcome for our Rising Stars at the Baptist Church

Saturday 27th June
1200 noon - 1.00pm North Bromsgrove School
- new to Upton Jazz !
2.00pm -5.00pm Gloucestershire Music (4 bands)
Youth Jazz Academy; Youth Jazz combo; Youth Jazz Orchestra; Jazz2Go…jazz continues to thrive in Gloucestershire.

Sunday 28th June

10.30am -1200 noon Jazz Church Service

1.00pm - 4.00pm Bromsgrove Schools
Groove Diggers (Winterfold House School)
Bromsgrove Senior School Band
Bromsgrove Prep School Band led by Tom Martin

Tasty refreshments Sat 10-4, Sun 1-4.
Please come and support our fabulous talented young people

19/06/2026

‘Upton Jazz Festival is an annual highlight in the UK jazz calendar. Its continued success is easily explained. It takes place in a beautiful setting, has an attractive and diverse programme split between ticketed events and free pub and cafe gigs and, very importantly, nurtures lots of new talent. It provides opportunities for jazz musicians right across the spectrum and boosts the economy of the town’ Alan Barnes, top British reeds player. Just 7 days to go. 😎

09/06/2026

Our return to the Museum in 2025 was a great success. This year we offer a mix of music and we can guarantee a warm welcome in the lovely Museum garden

05/06/2026

25/05/2026

For our jazz friends in Coventry, here's Barry at Upton with Robert Coles and Paul Dunleavy. 100 + Upton festivals between them !!

24/05/2026

Sadly we lost Barry Kesterton last Friday 22nd after a struggle with health - he missed Upton Jazz for the last 2 years. A member of the Smethwick Photography Society he spent a lifetime capturing images from the music scene, particularly Jazz. Barry came to Upton for the second festival in 1987 and every festival since. He was a regular on the Jazz scene and could be seen snapping at Bude, Keswick, Pershore, Abersoch as well as clubs around the Midlands…..Albrighton, Dove Jazz, and a regular at Stafford. Barry had an eye for detail, and a dry sense of humour often reflected in his images. He brought out the colour of an event and we were proud to exhibit his work as part of our 32 year celebrations in 2017. Love you Barry. All at Upton Jazz.

13/05/2026

It’s going well, with full festival programmes now at the printers; and available on our website. Thanks to our loyal supporters and an increasing number of new folk who are buying tickets this year. As of May 12th three quarters have gone so after 4 sell outs in 4 years we are gently nudging people not to wait. Keeping the Jazz alive Down by the Riverside.