Preston Jazz Festival runs from 18 May to 7 June across a wide variety of city venues
Preston Jazz Festival is returning this year with a total of 42 different free musical events and activities.
Between 18 May and 7 June, 17 concerts and 24 participatory workshops will take place across different city venues, while the mighty Jazzin’ the Park will return to Winckley Square, providing the festival finale.
Funded by Arts Council England, Preston City Council and supported by the University of Central Lancashire*, the three-week festival is set to ignite the city with activities in public parks, venues, pubs, community centres, schools, and even the streets of Preston.
Since it began nine years ago, Preston Jazz Fest has grown and grown. With attendance and participant numbers regularly passing 10,000 in recent years, it has become one of the most popular and best attended activities in Preston’s cultural calendar. With more events than ever, the 2025 festival is set to be the biggest to date.
Tony Rigg, Festival Director and University of Central Lancashire Lecturer in music industry management, said: “Community is the beating heart of the festival. It is for everyone, families, young, old, people from all walks of life. A place with more music is a better place to live, and music is good for our wellbeing.
“Whilst it may be a jazz festival by name, there is something for everyone. We want as many people as possible to get involved as audience members, but also to take part in the workshops, and even to get performing. People who come to the workshops will have the option to perform what they have learned at one of our public events. Participation and providing opportunities for the next generation of local music makers and creatives are important themes of the festival.”
"Whilst it may be a jazz festival by name, there is something for everyone. We want as many people as possible to get involved as audience members"
— Tony Rigg, Festival Director and University of Central Lancashire Lecturer in music industry management
The main festival kicks off on Sunday 18 May at the Continental with a gig by the Richard Iles Quartet, an all-star musical line-up, who will deliver a special performance remembering the music of Miles Davis.
Among the other concerts are The Jim Falkner Quartet, which will celebrate the music of Jimmy Raney, at Chews Yard on 25 May while the Lovely Eggs, one of Lancashire’s most acclaimed bands, will be playing at the Ferret on 3 June.
Back by popular demand is music legend Graham Massey, of 808 State fame, who will be bringing his band Toolshed to the Continental on 5 June. Jazzin’ the Park, a festival scale event in its own right, will be hosting an eclectic line-up of world-class bands and artists on Winckley Square on 7 June.
The variety of workshops will provide an opportunity for all to learn and participate. Whilst six of these will take place in schools, this year the public events include a series of ‘Beginners Guides’, ranging from how to run music events, song writing, music production, and even salsa dancing.
Dr Jon Aveyard will be running a series of accessible fun music making and singing workshops across Preston, with no prior experience required to take part. There will also be a Jazz Day, run by Lancashire Music Service, for young musicians in the University’s Media Factory ahead of the festival on 10 May. This will feed into a concert on Winckley Square on Saturday 31 May showcasing some of Lancashire’s young musical talent. Along with a special performance from a National Youth Jazz Orchestra ensemble, this is part of a city-wide jazz-day with other pop-up performances around Preston.
Some of the concert tickets are expected to be in demand so pre-booking is essential to secure your place. For more details and booking information go to www.prestonjazzfest.org and follow the event on Facebook and Instagram via prestonjazzfest
*University of Central Lancashire is proudly changing to University of Lancashire
Photo credit to Michael Porter Photography