The cult favourite and community-led three-day celebration of music and culture returns to Brick Lane from 24th to 26th April. The festival’s founder, Juliet Kennedy, breaks down the best bits and hidden gems.

There’s something special about Brick Lane Jazz Festival. Its placement towards the end of April – this year running from Friday 24th to Sunday 26th of April – is prime time for pre-summer, early-festival season euphoria. It’s an opening ceremony for the music to come; a sophisticated and wholly communal affair that features the very best in contemporary jazz from London, Britain and further afield, with shows held across all of the best venues around Brick Lane, Shoreditch and the surrounding area. 

This year’s line-up is typically erudite, eclectic, and effortlessly cool. The trifecta of headliners are: Joe Armon-Jones, best known for the keys wizard in Ezra Collective, who is just as mind-boggling solo, as well as experimentalist and polymath anaiis performing with Brazilian collective Grupo Cosmo, and legendary US keyboardist, flautist and composer Brian Jackson, known for his work with Gil Scott-Heron.

There’s plenty of talent elsewhere descending onto East London. French-Mongolian enigma Celine Dessberg’s music is utterly unique and really quite phenomenal. Charlie Stacey is one of the best keyboard players around. Sam Wise brings ultimate vibes. Tia Gordon’s R&B is selfless and considered. Saiming is super talented. Five Points Project knows how to throw a great party. Etc, etc, etc. If you’re in London and don’t have plans next weekend, get yourself down here – the energy is unbeatable. Tickets here.

For the second year running, we’ve asked the festival’s wonderful founder, Juliet Kennedy, to round up some of her favourite tracks from some of her favourite hidden gems heading to Brick Lane. Keep scrolling, get listening, and see you in Rough Trade East.

Stella & The Longos – “Patience & Respect”

One of my all-time favourites of their genre, Stella & The Longos have been quietly building a reputation for their lush, groove-led sound on Berlin’s underground circuit for the past decade. Nods to Grace Jones and classic soul with an incredible live energy.

Another Taste – “Run Into Love”

I can’t listen to this track and not dance. Another Taste are part of a new wave of producers tapping into a disco and jazz heritage sound through a modern lens. Musicianship is always at the core of what they do, so their records translate into a banging live set.

HolyBrune – “Catching Feelings”

Already an established name in France, HolyBrune makes her UK debut at Brick Lane Jazz Festival this year. A long-time collaborator with producer Dabuell, I find her clean, synth-driven grooves and assured vocals irresistible. Definitely one to watch.

Ferdi – “SERENADE”

This track took my breath away when I first heard it. It’s bold, it doesn’t hold back; but it stays refined and feels intimate. Pure class. Ferdi is a French jazz artist now based in Brussels, and another one I’ll be watching closely.

Alici – “Back to You”

I find myself pausing to listen whenever Brazilian-American future-soul singer Alici comes on. With influences spanning Bossa Nova to trip-hop, J Dilla, Sade, and Portishead, her sound is hard to define, but beautifully raw and intentional.

Helena Casella – “Misunderstood”

I came across Helena Casella playing live at a festival in Brussels recently, and I booked her for Brick Lane the next day. Her seven-piece ensemble fuses jazz with orchestral and neo-soul textures, creating an all-enveloping, liquid sound that fills the room.

Céline Dessberg – “Chintamani”

I’m slightly obsessed with Céline Dessberg. Brought up between France and Mongolia, her work draws from deep jazz roots yet echoes the spiritual sounds of the pastoral far East. Unlike anything else I’ve heard in a long time.

Peki Momés – “Göç Mevsimi”

A bit of low-fi Turkish rhythm and groove from Peki Momés brings the sunshine every time. Jazz-infused indie-pop with a highly likeable Anatolian influence.

Ria Moran – “Slow Breathing”

Ria Moran has steadily built a reputation for her soulful, understated songwriting here on the London jazz circuit. A captivating artist to see live, this track is one of my favourites from her 2025 album, Cubico.

Girls of the Internet – “You’ll Come Around”

I had to close with this feel-good number from Girls of the Internet from their 2025 album, Secular Music Vol.1.  Eclectic, disco-informed house music played live by a troupe of queer-leaning, body-positive soul musicians at the top of their game – what’s literally not to love?