EFG London Jazz Festival is back in town from 14-23 November. This year’s lineup features some of the most prominent names in jazz, including Dee Dee Bridgewater, Stella Cole and drive many and performances are set to jive inside some of London’s top live music venues like Barbican Hall and Southbank Centre. Dive into all the details of the EFG London Jazz Festival 2025 below.
What is the EFG London Jazz Festival?
It’s a major jazz music festival that’s celebrating its 33rd anniversary in 2025. Over 10 days, over 2000 artists from around the world perform inside over 60 of London’s top music venues. This year’s lineup includes 350 shows that will celebrate jazz innovation as well as its legacy and roots.
EFG London Jazz Festival 2025: concert highlights
aja monet Residency: Workshop and live readings with guests
Grammy-nominated aja monet is famous for her fusion of music and poetry. Her residency at the festival will include a series of workshops, poetry readings and a live performance featuring artists like ganavya, Sophye Soliveau and Yahael Camara-Onono.
📍Where? Barbican Centre
🗓️When? 12-14 November
Soweto Kinch & London Symphony Orchestra: Soundtrack to the Apocalypse
Saxophonist, composer and rapper Soweto Kinch is joining up with London Symphony Orchestra to present the final chapter of their trilogy project: Soundtrack to the Apocalypse.
📍Where? Barbican Hall
🗓️When? 13 November, 8pm
Opening Gala “Jazz Voice”
Artists including Dee Dee Bridgewater, Tanita Tikaram, Stella Cole, Tyreek McDole and Caleb Kunle will perform alongside a 44-piece orchestra conducted by Guy Barker.
📍Where? Royal Festival Hall
🗓️When? 14 November, 7:30pm
Dee Dee Bridgewater Quartet: “We Exist!” show
Grammy and Tony Award-winner Dee Dee Bridgewater will present her acclaimed “We Exist!” live show inside Barbican Hall. Bridgerwater won the Grammy for Best Jazz Vocal Album in 2010 with Eleanor Fagan (1915-1959): To Billie With Love From Dee Dee.
📍Where? Barbican Hall
🗓️When? 15 November, 7:30pm
Free jazz shows in London during the festival
There are loads of family-friendly and free jazz shows at EFG London Jazz Festival this November, as well as workshops and Q&A panels. Here are some of the highlights:
GSMD Lunchtime Concert: The Big Lights Band
A free concert featuring performances by new group The Big Lights Band — a musical ensemble that blends blues, boogaloo, funk and modern jazz.
📍Where? The Jazz Social
🗓️When? 12 November
Baby Jazz Club
A series of family-friendly shows that runs throughout the festival where kids can go for free (adult tickets cost around £15). Baby Jazz Club features a session led by jazz singer Nishla Smith and pianist Matthew Bourne (15 November) as well as Graham Smyth’s electronic micro-rave for toddlers (23 November).
📍Where? The Jazz Social
🗓️When? Multiple dates
Blues Party
Live music headlined by Steam Down’s #SDWEEKLY jam night. It features DJs and a cultural panel curated by producers from the Milestones programme.
📍Where? Southbank Centre
🗓️When? 15 November
Melbourne International Jazz Festival presents Jeremy Rose’s ‘Disruption!’ and Erica Tucceri
Melbourne International Jazz Festival and the EFG London Jazz Festival are teaming up once again to present this special free concert featuring saxophonist and producer Jeremy Rose and renowned flutist and composer Erica Tucceri.
📍Where? Barbican
🗓️When? 15 November
European Jazz Freestage: Synesthetic 4tet & Lőrinc Barabás
Synesthetic4 are a musical quartet that blend hip hop and electronic sounds while following the jazz tradition of improvisation. Hungarian trumpeter Lőrinc Barabás will be joining them on stage to add his signature sound that fuses jazz, electronic and neoclassical music.
📍Where? Barbican
🗓️When? 22 November
The Jazz Room in London
EFG London Jazz Festival comes to a close on 23 November, but London’s jazz scene plays on. If you’re craving more jazz vibes, The Jazz Room is a series of electrifying live music shows that journey through the golden eras of the genre, with performances of songs by Louis Armstrong, Irving Mills and more. Grab a drink, take your seat inside the iconic Phoenix Arts Club and let the best of jazz work it’s magic all over again.
