Southport Jazz Festival is rolling out the red carpet to welcome their youngest festival-goer and one of their most loyal fans – three-year-old Arthur Evans!
Arthur first came to the festival with jazz-loving Mum and Dad, Vicki and Mark Evans, when he was a small baby.
Last year, Southport Jazz Festival welcomed Arthur with his very own VIP festival ticket, as he danced and listened to the shows.
They can’t wait to welcome him back with this year’s event taking place at The Grand on Lord Street in Southport from Friday 30th January to Sunday 1st February 2026 with 10 superb shows.
Southport Jazz Festival is directed by Emma Murphy, Jez Murphy and Clifford Ray.
They said:
“We get fans of all ages coming from all over the UK to the festival – we can’t wait to welcome Arthur, who’s one of our biggest fans!
“He is three years old now and has been coming with his Mum and Dad since he was a baby.
“Last year we made him his very own VIP festival ticket!
“He is so adorable. He loves the festival, he loves the music. He just dances away and really enjoys himself.
“We first met his Mum and Dad at Scarborough Jazz Festival in 2023 – they love coming here to Southport.
“When we were chatting with them, they asked if they could come to the festival with a young baby, and we said ‘yes of course!’
“We have always been very inclusive at Southport Jazz Festival. Our live music is for people of all ages, from 0 to 100!
“Encouraging children and young people to enjoy music is one of the things we are very keen to develop.
“The festival will be opened on the Friday morning by Shevington Scat Cats, who are a group of talented 9-11 year olds from Shevington Vale Primary School, who will perform for 10 minutes before Trio JDM come on stage.
“Then, on the Sunday, we will host the brilliant Wigan Youth Jazz Orchestra as one of our four events that day.
“The more young people we can encourage to enjoy jazz and live music the better.
“You can never start too young!”
Music lovers are looking forward to 10 superb shows across three days and nights at The Grand, on Lord Street, to see headliners including Clare Teal, Liane Carroll, Emma Holcroft, Claire Martin and others with female stars at the forefront and shows to suit all tastes.
Southport Jazz Festival takes place from 30th January – 1st February 2026 with plenty to savour, from trios to big bands, young performers to jazz legends, and even a special vocal workshop with jazz legend Liane Carroll.
Tickets are on sale at the Southport Jazz Festival website: southportjazz.co.uk
There are a variety of ticket options available with people able to see individual shows, or full days, or festival passes.
Friday 30th January 2026
1:30 pm – Trio JDM, £17
4pm – Bryan Corbett – The Instrumental Groove Unit, £17
8.30pm – Swingtime Big Band feat. Liane Carroll & Emma Holcroft, £28
Saturday 31st January 2026
2pm – O’Higgins & Smith Play Coltrane & Dolphy, £17
4.30pm – Malcolm Strachan Septet, £17
8.30pm – The Clare Teal 5, £28
Sunday 1st February 2026
10am-12pm – Liane Carroll Vocal Workshop, £24
12pm – Wigan Youth Jazz Orchestra in Concert, £15
3pm – Baiana featuring Snowboy and The Haggis Horns, £20
8pm – iG4 with Claire Martin, Nikki Iles, Karen Sharp and Ewan Hastie, £28
The 2026 Southport Jazz Festival will take place at The Grand, Lord Street, Southport town centre, from Friday, 30th January 2026 to Sunday, 1st February 2026. For more details and tickets visit: southportjazz.co.uk
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