Jazz at Lichfield Festival this July
For many years now, one of the Festival’s focusses has been its jazz output, and 2026 is no different as we welcome a host of the UK’s most talented jazz exponents to Lichfield.
Leading our line-up is our Associate Artist, pianist and Artistic Director of Ronnie Scott’s, James Pearson. He returns with another superb show, this year dedicated to the multi-talented actor, comic genius and formidable jazz musician, Dudley Moore (The Hub; July 18th).
Another 2026 Associate Artist is also to the fore this July with a first Cathedral show for us, as pianist, singer and raconteur Joe Stilgoe is joined by the sensational Liza Pulman (one third of ‘national treasures’ Fascinating Aida) for a cabaret show celebrating the ‘silver screen’ (Hooray for Hollywood – Lichfield Cathedral; July 15th).
Returning artists are also joined by new faces this July, and our Artist in Residence, cellist Gabriella Swallow, brings us two jazz nights: one, full of jazz standards, in the company of trumpet, voice and guitar (Swallow Horsfall Boulton Trio – The Hub; July 14th), and a second in celebration of the visionary jazz pianist/composer Don Shirley (whose life story reached new audiences through the film Green Book). For this, Gabriella will be joined by Mercury award-nominee Joe Webb (piano), fresh from the release of his new album Neath Beat (hear his Friday Vibe tunes on Radio 6 Music). They’ll include pioneering recordings, spirituals and standards revealing Shirley’s unique blend of classically-infused jazz sophistication (GX2: The Don Shirley Trio Project – Thu Hub; July 16th).
We also welcome to the Festival for the first time the Will Barnes Quartet (The Hub; July 10th) who bring us contemporary jazz, led by guitarist and composer Barnes, infused with a flavour of Wales and its evocative landscapes and folklore.
And, finally, for one of the Festival’s closing events this summer, jazz royalty, Clare Teal (Lichfield Garrick; July 19th) appears in our 2026 link-up with the Garrick Theatre. The ‘Clare Teal 5’ is a collaboration between the award-winning jazz vocalist and long-time Radio 2, 3 & Jazz FM broadcaster and her magnificent band, featuring the UK’s finest jazz musicians. Expect an evening where the worlds of Cole Porter, Van Morrison, Sam Smith, Duke Ellington, Ella Fitzgerald, Blossom Dearie, Peggy Lee and Sarah Vaughan all joyfully collide!