Scarborough Jazz Festival 2024

Scarborough Jazz Festival is returning in 2024! This will be the 21st year of the festival and the first year with Mark Gordon as festival director.

We are delighted to announce the first 3 acts for the 2024 festival:

Big Ben: Celebrating Ben Webster - with Tony Kofi & Alex Webb

50 years on from Webster’s death, pianist/arranger Alex Webb has worked with saxophonist Tony Kofi to curate a narrated show touching on key aspects of the tenor giant’s career, including the acclaimed years with Duke Ellington, his work with Billie Holiday, his visits to Ronnie Scott’s in London, his later years in Copenhagen and his remarkable work with strings. The two part show (to be played in full at the festival) features a 12 piece outfit, including brass section, vocals and string quartet. Tony Kofi plays the role of Ben Webster and has himself received multiple prestigious awards.

Elaine Delmar

Winner, Vocalist of the Year 2023 at the Parliamentary Jazz Awards

Elaine is equally at home whether entertaining a concert audience or performing in the more intimate cabaret/small theatre setting. For example, she has appeared in concert with Andy Williams (Free Trade Hall, Manchester) and Michel Legrand with the London Symphony Orchestra (Royal Albert Hall, London). In recent years Elaine has been the star vocalist in such touring shows as Let's Do It saluting the music of Cole Porter, and the musical celebration By George, It's Gershwin.

The Tom Smith Big Band

Tom Smith was twice finalist of the BBC Young Jazz Musician of the Year programme in 2014 and 2016, and in 2018 won the Peter Whittingham Development Award from Help Musicians UK. He released his debut album ‘Gecko' in 2020. Tom brings to the festival his 18-piece big band featuring original compositions and arrangements and whilst drawing on traditional big band voicing, he adds his distinctive and contemporary musical flavours that will make for an enjoyable and unique audience experience.

Many more amazing acts to be announced soon so keep an eye on our socials for more announcements!

Make sure you follow us on our social media sites to be the first to know of act announcements and other exciting news! Or you can sign up to receive Scarborough Jazz Festival updates via email on the following link: http://eepurl.com/huAFW5

Early Bird Weekend Tickets available until the 31st March.