Once again, Leeds jazz legend DJ Lubi is hosting the Saturday at the open air Welcome To Leeds Stage in Cookridge Street. The date is 25th May and live music features all day from 11am to 8pm. As in previous years, Lubi will be showcasing the city's future jazz stars with a host of new young emerging artists from across the jazz spectrum....post bop/modal jazz, vocal jazz, electric jazz fusion, neo-soul/nujazz, Latin jazz, world jazz/global beats.
The Lineup Includes:
Billy Goulding Quartet - Afrodesia/Nova.Sol drummer Billy kicks off the day with some 1960s inspired post bop/modal jazz featuring Conrad Clenton on saxes, Umer Sair on piano and Sean Blake on double bass.
Miles Hardy Trio - the youngest musician of the day, just 18, drummer Miles' trio features pianist James Grey and bassist Jade Smith, and they play across the jazz spectrum, from standards to modal jazz.
Glass Frogs - a band combining neo-soul, jazz funk and psychedelia featuring Rob Gjoka (bass/vocals), Nico Paul (guitar/vocals), Henry Blencowe (keys/saxophone/vocals), Rafi Morris (drums) and Alex Thomas (vocals).
Fight The Giant - classic meets contemporary jazz fusion featuring Sean Blake (double bass), Louis Cryer (electric guitar), Oli Cripps (trumpet), Jascha Bingham (keys), and Adam Scott (drums).
Shania Sabrina - neo-soul/alt-jazz singer Shania Sabrina released her debut album in 2024 aged just 18, and she performs her original songs from the album (inspired by Erykah Badu, Corinne BR, Cleo Soul) with her full live band.
Lucas Walters Trio + Reece Fogg - Nottingham based pianist Lucas Walters brings his trio to Leeds featuring Lucas Walters (piano), Jamie Sykes (drums), Jack Benjamin (bass) plus guest saxophonist Reece Fogg (Afrodesia).
Tom Warrilow & Cinquillo - drummer Tom Warrilow and his quintet bring some extra Brazilian and Afro-Cuban rhythmic fire to their contemporary jazz fusion sound...definitely dancefloor friendly jazz.
Nathaniel Taberner Quartet - Nathaniel Taberner (alto sax), Charlie Wilberforce (guitar), Austin Bowers (electric bass) and Billy Goulding (drums) play music inspired by legends like Wayne Shorter, Dave Holland, Brian Blade, Bill Frisell.
Emma Coates - Emma Coates solo project features herself on lead vocals and tenor saxophone, alongside band members Harry Souter on guitar, Nika Ticciati on bass and Louis Berthoud on drums...a quiet storm of jazz, soul and folk.
Noemi Jazzmine - Nottingham based singer originally from the Democratic Republic of Congo, Noemi and her band perform original music that fuses jazz and soul with rumba and soukous from her homeland....a global jazz finale.
Follow DJ Lubi on Instagram and X to keep up to date with stage announcements!
——————————————————————————————————
About the Welcome to Leeds Stage:
From Friday 23rd - Monday 26th May the free-entry, family friendly, outdoor Welcome to Leeds stage will be back on Cookridge Street as part of Leeds Jazz Festival 2025! The stage is programmed in collaboration with Leeds Conservatoire, Launchpad, DJ Lubi, Not a thing and JazzLeeds to bring you the best of local talent.
Situated between The Light and Henry Moore Institute, the stage has its own seating area, with food and drink on hand throughout the weekend, supplied by Radisson Blu and Browns. This year boasts an expanded food and beverage offering featuring a pop-up bar .
The Welcome to Leeds stage is produced by LeedsBID alongside New Citizens and with backline support from Eiger Studios. Public funding from the National Lottery through Arts Council England alongside Launchpad who pays artist fees on the Welcome to Leeds stage and we are incredibly thankful for their support.
You may also like the following events from Leeds Jazz Festival:
Also check out other
Music events in Leeds,
Entertainment events in Leeds,
Arts events in Leeds.
