Liverpool International Jazz Festival is nearly upon us, The Capstone Theatre is gearing up for another fantastic event. Running from Thursday 27th February – Sunday 2nd March 2014, this year’s event promises to be bigger and better than ever! 

Headlining and opening the festival on Thursday 27th February is celebrated British jazz pianist and multi-award winner Jason Rebello. Labelled a veteran by critics at the age of just 19, Rebello has since collaborated with some of the most highly regarded artists in the industry, including Jeff Beck and Sting. 

On Friday 28th February, unique Anglo-American jazz ‘supergroup’ The Impossible Gentlemen will perform tracks from their new album. Already being tipped for the 2014 “best-of” lists (Allaboutjazz.com) Internationally Recognised Aliens also features the band’s newest line-up, Steve Rodby, former bass player with the Pat Metheny Group. 

On Saturday 1st March the ever evolving music of Unfurl will take audiences on a journey that combines Indian ragas, flamenco and Arabic music, while Blue Touch Paper will perform exciting tracks from their brand new album Drawing Breath. 

Rounding off a high energy weekend on Sunday 2nd March the festival culminates with another two concerts. Firstly Stuart McCallum Trio collaborates with Real Strings while the second instalment of the day comes from one of the UK’s most exciting live bands, award winning Get The Blessing. Featuring members of legendary trip hop band Portishead and fresh from a European and American tour, their unique signature sound never loses its monstrously infectious beats and spontaneity. 

The Weave, a collection of Liverpool’s most established jazz musicians, and acclaimed jazz pianist Jamil Sheriff in a trio with Dave Walsh on drums and Pete Turner on double bass, both perform on Saturday 1st March. While on Sunday 2nd March, there will be performances from ACV, an experimental contemporary jazz quintet from North East Englandand classic and contemporary sax quartet HSQ are joined by Rachael Gladwin on harp and percussionist Phil Bennett to form HSQ +2.

Throughout the weekend there will also be free workshop sessions taking place. At 12 noon on Saturday 1st March, Unfurl will focus on their practice of developing jazz compositions based on ideas and approaches from Indian classical music. While on Sunday 2nd March, also at 12 noon, join Dave O'Higgins for a saxophone masterclass. Both sessions are free and open to all.

Following the final concert, Get The Blessing on Sunday 2nd March, Jazz Festival-goers are invited to a free Festival after-party at The Liner Hotel on Lord Nelson Street. So why not join Dave O'Higgins backed by ParrJazz musicians for a very special concert followed by an open-mic session where anyone can bring their instruments and play with the house band.

Liverpool International Jazz Festival 2014 takes place at The Capstone Theatre, Liverpool Hope University Creative Campus, 17 Shaw Street, Liverpool, Merseyside between Thu 27th February to Sun 2nd March 2014.

Tickets for the Liverpool International Jazz Festival are on sale now here. A weekend pass is available giving you access to all the events across the whole weekend. Offering fantastic value, and including events still to be announced, you can save money on buying individual tickets. 

This joyous jazz extravaganza made a lasting mark on the city when launched in 2013 and continues to attract the finest collections of contemporary and swinging, soulful jazz music and artists the genre has to offer every year.  

HOW TO BOOK

Individual event tickets are available from TicketQuarter  orby calling the Box Office on 0844 8000 410 or visiting the Box Office at MerseyTravel Centre, Queen Square, Liverpool, L1 1RG

Festival Weekend Passes are priced at £70 and available from Liverpool Hope Store via www.thecapstonetheatre.com

An early bird price of £60 per festival pass is available until Friday 24th January 2014. 

PERFORMANCE DETAILS

Jason Rebello Date: Thursday 27th February 2014 Time: 7:30pm Venue: The Capstone Theatre, Shaw Street, Liverpool, L6 1HP Individual ticket price: £17.50 

The Impossible Gentlemen Date: Friday 28th February 2014 Time: 7:30pm Venue: The Capstone Theatre, Shaw Street, Liverpool, L6 1HP Individual ticket price: £17.50 

Unfurl Date: Saturday 1st March 2014 Time: 1:30pm Venue: The Capstone Theatre, Shaw Street, Liverpool, L6 1HP Individual ticket price: £12.50

The Weave Date: Saturday 1st March 2014 Time: 3.30pm Venue: The Cornerstone, Liverpool Hope University Creative Campus Individual ticket price: £5

Jamil Sheriff Trio Date: Saturday 1st March 2014 Time: 5.30pm Venue: The Cornerstone, Liverpool Hope University Creative Campus Individual ticket price: £5

Blue Touch Paper Date: Saturday 1st March 2014 Time: 7:30pm Venue: The Capstone Theatre, Shaw Street, Liverpool, L6 1HP Individual ticket price: £15.00

Stuart McCallum Date: Sunday 2nd March 2014 Time: 1:30pm Venue: The Capstone Theatre, Shaw Street, Liverpool, L6 1HP Individual ticket price: £12.50

ACV Date: Sunday 2nd March 2014 Time: 3.30pm Venue: The Cornerstone, Liverpool Hope University Creative Campus Individual ticket price: £5

HSQ +2 Date: Sunday 2nd March 2014 Time: 5.30pm Venue: The Cornerstone, Liverpool Hope University Creative Campus Individual ticket price: £5

Get The Blessing Date: Sunday 2nd March 2014 Time: 7:30pm Venue: The Capstone Theatre, Shaw Street, Liverpool, L6 1HP Individual ticket price: £15.00