Durham Jazz Festival sees strong ticket demand ahead of inaugural event

Durham Jazz Festival is seeing strong demand ahead of its inaugural event this October, with its first show now sold out and several more performances approaching capacity.

Newcastle jazz band Knats became the first act to sell out following the announcement of their 2026 Mercury Prize nomination, adding to growing excitement around the three-day festival, which takes place across Durham City from Friday, October 23 to Sunday, October 25.

Knats are among 12 artists shortlisted for the prestigious award, with their album A Great Day In Newcastle competing alongside releases from major names including Olivia Dean, Paul McCartney and RAYE.

Following widespread coverage of the nomination, tickets for the band's Durham Jazz Festival appearance at Fabio's Bar on Saturday, October 24 sold out.

The performance comes just two days after the Mercury Prize winner is announced at Newcastle's Utilita Arena.

With other festival shows now also selling fast, organisers John Lyons, Alan Patrickson and Richard Turner, are encouraging audiences to book early for the performances they don't want to miss.

Emma Fisk's Hot Club du Nord show celebrating the music of Stéphane Grappelli and Django Reinhardt on Friday lunchtime is also now sold out.

“The response to our first Durham Jazz Festival has been fantastic. Seeing Knats sell out following their Mercury Prize nomination is a real milestone, and we're now seeing several other shows getting close to capacity,” said Mr Patrickson.

“We created the festival to showcase the incredible jazz talent we have here in the North East alongside some of the most exciting artists from across the UK. We want Durham to be filled with live music, with something for dedicated jazz fans and people discovering the genre for the first time.”

Taking place across venues throughout Durham City, the inaugural festival will bring together leading national artists, established North East musicians and emerging talent for three days of jazz.

Among the headline performances is Ronnie Scott's Jazz Club presents: The Ronnie Scott's Soho Songbook at Redhills Durham Miners' Hall, bringing musicians from London's legendary jazz institution to the city.

Durham-born vocalist Jo Harrop will return to the city for her Hometown Album Launch of Love Now, Pay Later, while the programme also features ‘Jazz Vocalist of the Year’ at the JazzFM 2026 awards nominee Marvin Muoneké - who will play with Newcastle’s 19-piece orchestra, The Strictly Smokin' Big Band.

On the bill is also Seb Rochford's Finding Ways, The Pete Roth Trio featuring Bill Bruford, Vasilis Xenopoulos and Paul Edis Quartet, and Janette Mason ReWired.

The festival culminates on Sunday evening with a bang - a special double bill of swing and Jump Jive, presented in association with Durham Brass Festival, featuring the Olivia Cuttill Quintet and King Pleasure & The Biscuit Boys at Redhills Durham Miners' Hall.

Emerging artists also feature prominently, including London-based Jazz trio, SULA; rising neo-soul artist Rivkala; contemporary jazz vocalist and songwriter, Eleonora Kouneni; and Newcastle contemporary jazz collective SwanNek.

“The festival has been created to celebrate both the rich jazz talent of the North East and leading artists from across the UK, with a programme designed to appeal to dedicated jazz followers as well as audiences looking to discover the genre for the first time,” said Mr Lyons.

He added: “Performances will take place at a number of venues across Durham City, allowing audiences to move between venues and experience everything from intimate club-style gigs and late-night jams to big band performances and major headline shows.”

Tickets remain available for performances across the weekend, with audiences able to receive 10% off when purchasing tickets for three or more eligible shows.

For the full programme, artist information and tickets, visit the Durham Jazz Festival website: durhamjazzfestival.co.uk

FULL DURHAM JAZZ FESTIVAL 2026 LINE-UP

Friday 23 October

Emma Fisk's Hot Club du Nord - SOLD OUT. Gala Studio – 1pm

Maja Bugge and Dave Evans. Claypath Delicatessen – 7pm

Ronnie Scott's Jazz Club presents: The Ronnie Scott's Soho Songbook. Redhills Durham Miners' Hall – 8pm

SwanNek (Support Jacob Egglestone). Fabio's Bar – 9pm

Saturday, October 24

Jo Harrop – Love Now, Pay Later Hometown Album Launch. St Chad's College – 2pm

Seb Rochford's Finding Ways. The Sir Thomas Allen Assembly Rooms Theatre – 3pm

Vasilis Xenopoulos and Paul Edis Quartet – A Place Called Home. St Chad's College – 4pm

OUTRI. Durham Fringe Academy – 4pm

The Pete Roth Trio ft. Bill Bruford. The Sir Thomas Allen Assembly Rooms Theatre – 5.30pm

Durham University Jazz Society: An Evening of Standards. Durham University Music School – 5.30pm

Rivkala. Fabio's Bar – 6pm

Eleonora Kouneni. Claypath Delicatessen – 7pm

Marvin Muoneké & The Strictly Smokin' Big Band. Gala Theatre – 7.30pm

Knats – SOLD OUT. Fabio's Bar – 9pm

Kind of Blu Jazz Jam. Radisson Blu Hotel Durham – 10.30pm

Sunday, October 25

Dean Stockdale Quartet: Celebrating Oscar Peterson. Durham University Music School – 1pm

Tom Atkinson's Electric Miles: Celebrating Jack Johnson.The Sir Thomas Allen Assembly Rooms Theatre – 2pm

SULA. St Chad's College – 2pm

Swing Into Sunday: Dance with Lindy Jazz. St Oswald's Institute – 2.30pm

Marvin Muoneké Quartet. St Chad's College – 4pm

Janette Mason ReWired. The Sir Thomas Allen Assembly Rooms Theatre – 4.30pm

Tom Waits for No Man. Old Cinema Launderette – 5pm

Zoë Gilby & Andy Champion. Redhills Durham Miners' Hall – 6pm

Durham University Jazz Society – Jazz Jam. Fabio's Bar – 8pm

Double Bill – Olivia Cuttill Quintet / King Pleasure & The Biscuit Boys. Redhills Durham Miners' Hall – 8pm