Highworth Jazz Festival

02/06/2026

Artist Spotlight!

Making their Highworth Jazz Festival debut and originally listed as the Paul Crowther Trio, The ChesterWood Quartet bring together a group of exciting emerging talent with a shared love of the jazz canon.

Led by Stroud based pianist Paul Crowther, this young group has quickly developed a reputation for their swinging feel and thoughtful approach to repertoire. Formed out of a desire to explore tunes beyond the usual jam session staples, the quartet focuses on hard‑bop and post bop classics, alongside beautifully chosen ballads and lesser heard gems.

Expect “hip” arrangements of well known standards alongside deep cuts from the Real Book tradition, with selections including Daahoud, Cubano Chant, Nardis, Jeanine and the hauntingly lyrical Spring Can Really Hang You Up The Most. Their sound balances groove, sensitivity and exploratory improvisation, bringing fresh energy to timeless material.

Featuring:

Paul Crowther – piano
Graeme Owen – double bass
Ben Williams – drums
Andrew McKenzie – guitar

A rising group with a passion for the tradition and an ear for discovery, The Chester Wood Quartet promise a set full of swing, interplay and classic jazz spirit.

Don't forget: Highworth Jazz Festival is completely not‑for‑profit. Buying your tickets early really helps support the festival and guarantees your place for what will be a truly special performance.

(Partially Sponsored by Highworth Town Council)

28/05/2026

Artist Spotlight!

Back for another year at Highworth Jazz Festival, Chris ‘Santo’ Cobbson returns with his Afro Jazz Quartet, a powerful and immersive project exploring the depth and diversity of African musical traditions.

From the highlife grooves of Ghana to the hypnotic scales of Ethiopia, the ancient echoes of Egypt, the river born rhythms of Gambia and the driving vibrant sounds of Nigeria, this quartet weaves Africa’s rich musical languages into a bold and contemporary jazz conversation. The result is a sound that feels both deeply rooted and strikingly modern. Expect intricate improvisation, deep rhythmic interplay and moments that feel timeless yet completely new, a set full of energy, colour and musical storytelling.

Widely regarded as one of the most exciting and in demand guitarists in the UK, Chris Cobbson has performed with an extraordinary range of artists, including Osibisa, Courtney Pine, The JBs (Maceo Parker, P*e Wee Ellis, Fred Wesley), Monty Alexander, Andy Sheppard, Jean Toussaint, the Ronnie Scott’s Big Band, Sheila Ferguson, Omar, Curtis Stigers, Imelda May, and Light of the World, among many others. A prolific composer and arranger, his playing reflects decades of experience across jazz, soul, funk and global music.

A returning favourite with a truly global sound, this is set to be one of the most dynamic and rhythmically driving performances of the festival.

Don't forget: Highworth Jazz Festival is completely not‑for‑profit. Buying your tickets early really helps support the festival and guarantees your place for what will be a truly special performance.

27/05/2026

Sponsor Spotlight!

We’d like to take a moment to say a huge thank you to the amazing local businesses who continue to support Highworth Jazz Festival year after year.

Your backing helps us bring incredible live music to the town and keep the festival thriving, we simply couldn’t do it without you.

We’re proud to be supported at this year’s festival by:

Andrews Quality Meats
🌐 https://andrewsqualitymeatsltd.co.uk/
📞 01793 762085

A Mag Systems
🌐 https://www.amagsystems.co.uk/
📞 +44 (0)1793 759200

Weigh It Up
🌐 https://weighituphighworth.co.uk/
📞 07470123032

The Number Crunchers
🌐 https://thenumbercrunchers.cloud/
📞 01285 339000

Prints and Threads
🌐 https://www.printsandthreads.co.uk/
📞 +44 1285 640111

Bloomfields fine food
🌐 https://www.bloomfieldsfinefood.co.uk/
📞01793 766399 (Highworth)

Barton Court Therapies
🌐 https://www.bartoncourt-therapies.co.uk/

Highworth Town Council
🌐 https://highworthtowncouncil.gov.uk/
📞01793 762377

Reuben Digital
🌐 https://www.reubendigital.co.uk/
📞 +44 (0)1793 861443

Your continued support makes a real difference, thank you for being part of the festival.

We’re still looking for sponsors for this year’s event. If you’d like to support Highworth Jazz Festival and be part of something special, please get in touch with us.

Don't forget: Highworth Jazz Festival is completely not‑for‑profit. Buying your tickets early really helps support the festival and guarantees your place for what will be a truly special performance.

(Partially sponsored by Highworth Town Council)

26/05/2026

We can’t let today go by without paying our respects to the passing of one of the grandmasters of the tenor saxophone, Walter Theodore “Sonny” Rollins who died yesterday at the age of 95.

It would be almost impossible to put into words the significance of Sonny Rollins contribution to the musical art form that is Jazz.

His brilliance, innovation and unique sound helped shape the course of modern jazz.

From seminal recordings like Saxophone Colossus to timeless compositions such as St. Thomas, Oleo and Doxy, Sonny has influenced generations of musicians for more the seven decades. His musical legacy is epic.

RIP Sonny Rollins. 🎶🖤🎶

Provided to YouTube by The state51 ConspiracyHow Are Things in Gl...

23/05/2026

Happy Bank Holiday Folks. 2 weeks to go - 6th of June! - a word from festival organisers Martin and Ray. Ticket link in the comments below.

21/05/2026

Artist Spotlight!

Acclaimed vocalist Vimala Rowe is celebrated for her extraordinary versatility, seamlessly blending jazz, soul and world music influences into a sound that is uniquely her own. With a voice that is both powerful and deeply intimate, her performances captivate audiences across the UK and beyond.

From her early training in Hindustani classical music in India, through to world music, soul and effortlessly swinging jazz, this award winning singer has rapidly established herself as one of the most compelling voices on the British jazz scene. Her rich musical background brings depth, sensitivity and emotional range to every performance.

With sell out appearances at iconic venues including Ronnie Scott’s, Pizza Express Jazz Club Soho, the 606 Club and performances at the London Jazz Festival and across the country, Vimala continues to enchant audiences with her naturally expressive style and commanding stage presence.

For this year’s festival, Vimala presents a special set celebrating the legendary Ella Fitzgerald, showcasing the timeless elegance, swing and vocal brilliance that defined one of jazz’s greatest icons.

She will be joined by an exceptional band:

Phillip Harper – drums
Mao Yamada – bass
Dorian Ford – piano

Expect an unforgettable performance filled with warmth, soul and classic jazz at its very finest.

Remember: Highworth Jazz Festival is completely not‑for‑profit. Buying your tickets early really helps support the festival and guarantees your place for what will be a truly special performance.

18/05/2026

Sponsor Spotlight!

We’d like to take a moment to say a huge thank you to the amazing local businesses who continue to support Highworth Jazz Festival year after year. We're really proud to have even more sponsors onboard!

Your backing helps us bring incredible live music to the town and keep the festival thriving, we simply couldn’t do it without you.

Check them out here:

🌐https://www.bloomfieldsfinefood.co.uk/
📞01793 766399 (Highworth)

🌐https://www.bartoncourt-therapies.co.uk/

Your continued support makes a real difference, thank you for being part of the festival.

We’re still looking for sponsors for this year’s event. If you’d like to support Highworth Jazz Festival and be part of something special, please get in touch with us.

Don't forget: Highworth Jazz Festival is completely not‑for‑profit. Buying your tickets early really helps support the festival and guarantees your place for what will be a truly special performance

13/05/2026

Artist Spotlight!

Alex Goodyear is a UK based drummer, bandleader and composer bringing energy, precision and deep musicality to this year’s Highworth Jazz Festival.

Based in Reading, Berkshire, Alex’s musical journey began early, shaped by the influence of his grandfather, “Freddie G" a respected jazz bassist, trombonist, vocalist and arranger on the South East scene. Inspired from a young age, Alex began studying drum kit and percussion at just six years old, developing a strong technical and musical foundation that would carry him into a professional career.

Since graduating from the Royal Welsh College of Music and Drama in 2019, Alex has become a regular presence on the UK jazz circuit. He has worked with an impressive roster of artists including John Law, Simon Spillett, Iain Ballamy, Sam Crockatt, Alex Merritt, Steve Fishwick, Greg Abate, Jake McMurchie, Denny Ilett, Alan Barnes, Huw Warren, George Cooper, Rebecca Nash, Libor Smoldas, Nick Malcolm and Henrik Jensen.

The Alex Goodyear Trio celebrates the timeless appeal of the Great American Songbook, drawing inspiration from the hard swinging grooves and refined arrangements of legends such as Oscar Peterson, Jeff Hamilton and Monty Alexander. Expect a performance full of rhythm, interplay and classic swing, brought to life with contemporary flair.

Featuring:

Alex Goodyear – drums
Tom Berge – piano
Nick Kacal – double bass

Don't forget: Highworth Jazz Festival is completely not‑for‑profit. Buying your tickets early really helps support the festival and guarantees your place for what will be a truly special performance.

(Partially sponsored by Highworth Town Council)

08/05/2026

Artist Spotlight!

At this year’s Jazz Festival, guitarist Edison Herbert brings a sound rooted in tradition but alive in the moment.

Influenced by Wes Montgomery, George Benson and Grant Green, and shaped through years of mentorship with George Benson himself, his playing is built on melody, swing and a feel that connects instantly with an audience.

With a career spanning over three decades, Herbert has performed extensively across the UK, Europe and the United States, appearing at jazz festivals, concert venues, jazz clubs and theatre productions. His work spans straight ahead jazz, soul jazz, modern groove and creative interpretations of both standards and contemporary material.

He has collaborated with a wide range of artists across jazz, soul and popular music, earning consistent recognition from respected critics and fellow musicians.

Don't forget: Highworth Jazz Festival is completely not‑for‑profit. Buying your tickets early really helps support the festival and guarantees your place for what will be a truly special performance!

(Partially sponsored by Highworth Town Council)