Southport Jazz Festival sponsored feature
The 2026 Southport Jazz Festival is nearly here! Music lovers from around the UK are getting ready to welcome ten fantastic shows across three days and nights, with headline acts including the Swingtime Big Band featuring Liane Carroll and Emma Holcroft, The Clare Teal 5 and iG4 with Claire Martin, Nikki Iles, Karen Sharp and Ewan Hastie.
Here is the line-up for the opening day of Southport Jazz Festival.
Talented children from Shevington Vale Primary School will entertain guests as they arrive, before Trio JDM kick things off at 1.30pm; followed by Bryan Corbett – The Instrumental Groove Unit from 4pm, with Swingtime Big Band feat. Liane Carroll & Emma Holcroft as the Friday night headliners from 8.30pm.
Tickets are on sale at the Southport Jazz Festival website: southportjazz.co.uk
Friday 30th January 2026
1 – Trio JDM, 1.30 pm – £17
Welcome to the first show of the 2026 Southport Jazz Festival – Trio JDM!
The name Trio JDM is a fitting choice for this project, led by Dave Walsh, known for his superlative drumming with countless jazz greats, award-winning singer-songwriters, and chart-topping pop acts alike (e.g. Enrico Pieranunzi, Arun Ghosh, Tom McRae, Matt Bianco).
Next up alphabetically is Jamie Taylor, the “J” in the trio. Jamie is an experienced guitarist whose work has earned him recognition alongside some of the best jazz talent from both sides of the Atlantic. While he proudly hails from Yorkshire, his bop-infused guitar playing regularly graces iconic London venues like Ronnie Scott’s and The Troubadour.
Jamie Taylor has likewise been heard with some of the finest jazz musicians from either side of the Atlantic (e.g. Wayne Escoffery, John Stowell, Judy Carmichael, Baptiste Herbin, John Goldsby), having appeared many times at legendary London venues like Ronnie Scott’s and The Troubadour.
Last but very definitely not least: at the console is the wonderful organist Martin Longhawn, perhaps best known to jazz audiences for his work with the excellent Svarc/Hanley/Longhawn group. Amongst the trio’s many influences are Goldings/Bernstein/Stewart, Delvon Lamarr, and The Tony Williams Lifetime.
“One of the most enjoyable albums in this format that I’ve heard in quite some time. It’s good to hear an organ trio that places the focus on original material and eschews the usual Blue Note cliches in favour of something more adventurous.”- The Jazz Mann, January 2024
2 – Bryan Corbett – The Instrumental Groove Unit, 4pm – £17
Having returned to playing from serious health issues and major surgery Bryan is back doing what he does best.
Renowned Birmingham-based trumpeter and flugelhorn player Bryan Corbett presents a new original project full of improvisation, hip grooves, beautiful melodies, unique musicianship, interplay and virtuosity. Bryan’s musical journey is a tapestry of diverse collaborations and artistic pursuits. As a sought-after session musician, he has lent his talents to some of the biggest names and acclaimed artists across various genres. From The Brand New Heavies, Us3, Tony Christie, Sigala & Ella Eyre to featured soloist with the BBC Concert Orchestra and performing under his own name at jazz clubs and festivals around the globe.
His remarkable versatility allows him to seamlessly transition between musical styles, from jazz and funk to soul, pop, and beyond. This exciting new project introduces original material and a repertoire with emphasis on the ‘pocket’ of groove and freedom of improvisation. Bryan introduces the project as “A chance to play some original tunes and ideas coming to it from a different angle than I normally would”. Featuring the outstanding talents of Luke Harris (The Brand New Heavies, Wretch 32 and Tricky), Paul Deats and Wayne Matthews, this promises to be something not to be missed!
“The Bomb” – Courtney Pine
“Something special” – Michael Parkinson
3 – Swingtime Big Band feat. Liane Carroll & Emma Holcroft, 8.30pm – £28
We round Friday off in blockbuster style with the powerhouse that is the Swingtime Big Band with special guests Liane Carroll and Emma Holcroft
Writers have exhausted the lexicon of superlatives to describe our festival patron and special guest star Liane Carroll. The multi award winning jazz icon will be interpreting classics from the Great American songbook backed by the mighty Swingtime Big Band.
Liane is an award-winning jazz singer described by Jamie Cullum as “one of the greatest singers we have in this country”. Awards include ‘Best British Vocalist’ (BBC Jazz Awards), ‘Best Female Jazz Vocalist’ (Ronnie Scott’s Awards) and ‘Best Jazz Album of the Year’ (Parliamentary Jazz Awards).
Liane is always a huge hit when she visits Southport. We are lucky to say that she will be with us for the whole weekend. Don’t miss your chance to witness one of the UK’s most extraordinary talents who always guarantees fun, laughter and brilliant music!
“Swinging like Hell one minute, brutally expressive and heart-breakingly tender the next… Utterly brilliant” – Time Out
“Smooth jazz raised to a high art” – The Independent on Sunday
“… a whole new dimension of her talent stands revealed” – The Observer
Liane is aided and abetted by our own Emma Holcroft.
As the featured vocalist with Swingtime Big Band, Emma has performed in a variety of shows, singing alongside the finest of jazz vocalists including Joe Stilgoe, Liane Carroll, Clare Teal, Ian Shaw, Matt Ford, Andy Prior and of course Liane Carroll. Emma’s smoky tones lend a natural elegance to crowd favourites like That Old Black Magic and The Look of Love.
Emma has a very successful solo and small band career as one of the UK’s leading vocalists, who sings a wide repertoire of classic jazz standards and has received superb reviews from past festivals.
“Emma Holcroft made several entrances to deliver a repertoire of jazz standards such as Fascinating Rhythm and Just In Time with humour and pizazz. The crowd loved it.” Brian Payne — Jazz Journal
“Emma Holcroft did a spectacular job and was an absolute hit with the audience. Her obvious love of the tradition informed what was a very mature and professional act.” – Charles Rees — London Jazz News
Swingtime Big Band became synonymous with Friday evening sold out shows to a packed audience at Southport Jazz Festival. And who are we to change such a popular and successful formula? Led by Musical Director Jez Murphy the band is made up of 17 North West based freelance musicians who are the finest exponents of Big Band swing around. Based around a superb rhythm section the band shows off tight ensemble playing and excellent soloists throughout each section.
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