London Latin Jazz Festival 2024

This October, the heart of Soho will come alive with the sounds of Latin and Latin jazz, as the London Latin Jazz Festival returns for its 11th edition. Hosted at the intimate PizzaExpress Jazz Club, the festival will run from the 8th to the 12th of October, offering an eclectic mix of genres and styles, from Venezuelan guitar rhythms to Cuban timba and flamenco jazz. Here’s a rundown of what you can expect from this year’s line-up.

Venezuelan Virtuosity Opens the Fest

The festival begins on Tuesday, 8th October, with a mesmerising performance by Venezuelan guitarist Aleph Aguiar. Known for his intricate blend of traditional jazz, bop organ influences, and Venezuelan folk music like Joropo and Tambor de Barlovento, Aguiar’s septet will set the tone for a week filled with diverse musical flavours. His compositions, rich in both complexity and rhythm, promise to captivate jazz enthusiasts and newcomers alike.

Brazilian Rhythms Mid-Week

Wednesday, 9th October, brings a burst of Brazilian energy with Fabio de Oliveira’s new project, Babo Moreno. The Brazilian-British drummer has been gaining traction with his recent singles, drawing attention from both Brazilian music aficionados and the wider jazz community. Expect an evening that showcases the vibrant, percussive elements of Brazilian music, combined with the improvisational freedom of jazz.

Flamenco Meets Jazz

The festival shifts gears on Thursday, 10th October, with the UK premiere of Háblame, a project led by flamenco jazz pianist Mélodie Gimard and Latin Grammy-nominated flamenco vocalist Naike Ponce. This all-female ensemble will explore flamenco through both original compositions and classic pieces, including works by the legendary Paco de Lucía. It’s a unique fusion of the emotional intensity of flamenco and the improvisational depth of jazz, making for an evening of musical storytelling.

A Cuban Weekend Spectacle

The weekend focuses on Cuban music, starting on Friday, 11th October, with a piano solo by Afro-Cuban jazz star Dayramir González. His performance, The Art of Cuban Piano, will journey through 100 years of Cuban piano traditions, showcasing his personal virtuosity and deep understanding of the genre’s evolution.

Later that night, Eliane Correa, the festival’s curator, will return to the stage with her 12-piece orchestra La Evolución. Known for their fusion of Cuban timba and jazz, this female-led orchestra is one of a kind in the UK. Their 2022 album Signo de Fuego received critical acclaim, and their performance is sure to be a festival highlight, bringing infectious energy and bold rhythms to the stage.

A Cross-Cultural Collaboration Ends the Fest

The festival wraps up on Saturday, 12th October, with AfroCuba: Jazz Sessions. This unique collaboration pairs Cuban percussionist Hammadi Valdés and his Afro-Cuban percussion trio with three UK jazz musicians—saxophonist Tamar Osborn, pianist Al MacSween, and bassist Ruth Goller. After just a day of rehearsals, these musicians will present an improvised performance that blends Afro-Cuban folkloric rhythms with contemporary British jazz, resulting in a one-of-a-kind live musical conversation.

Whether you're a jazz purist or simply looking to explore the vibrant world of Latin music, the London Latin Jazz Festival 2024 is set to offer a dynamic and immersive musical experience.

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