Brick Lane Jazz Festival has announced a major expansion for its fifth birthday edition, introducing a dedicated conference programme alongside its stacked musical lineup. Returning from 23rd to 26th April 2026, the festival will debut the ‘Flow State Hub’, a new warehouse space in Ely’s Yard, to host a series of workshops, exhibits, and panels. To support this professional pivot, the festival has launched Pro Pass tickets, giving attendees exclusive access to industry-led sessions featuring heavyweights like Tomorrow’s Warriors co-founder Gary Crosby OBE, audio pioneers Solid State Logic, and ethical streaming service Qobuz.
The 2026 musical bill is headlined by Joe Armon-Jones, jazz-funk legend Brian Jackson, and the UK live debut of anaiis & Grupo Cosmo. Beyond the stages, the new conference aims to bridge the gap between emerging talent and established industry leaders, with networking mixers hosted by Women In Jazz and live broadcasts from One Jazz Radio. Additionally, the National Jazz Archive will host an on-site exhibit celebrating the history of British jazz, while local retailer Goodhood partners with the festival to showcase cutting-edge audio equipment, cementing the event’s status as a vital hub for both London’s underground scene and the global jazz community.
Juliet Kennedy, the festival’s Founder, says:
“From day one, Brick Lane Jazz Festival has been about shining a light on the incredible talent in London’s jazz scene. Five years on, Brick Lane Jazz Festival has grown into a landmark celebration of the UK’s underground music community. It’s been incredible to see the festival become a space where artists and audiences connect so powerfully – and this is only the beginning. Our ambition is to keep pushing boundaries and championing the next wave of talent for many years to come. We’re only just getting started!”
