Leonard Bernstein music highlight in Newbury Spring Festival’s world-class jazz programme
Great news for jazz fans.
Newbury Spring Festival 2025 presents an exciting programme of jazz performances, featuring world-class musicians and diverse styles ranging from early jazz influences to contemporary interpretations.
This year’s line-up brings together established artists and emerging talent, offering audiences an opportunity to experience both the roots and evolution of jazz in a dynamic festival setting.
The jazz programme begins on May 10 with The Nat King Cole Story at the Corn Exchange. Renowned vocalist Atila, accompanied by his jazz quartet, will present a concert dedicated to the music and legacy of Nat King Cole, featuring interpretations of his most celebrated works. This unique evening will combine live music, narration, and projected archive images, offering a fresh perspective on Cole’s life and career. The performance will include many of his most famous songs, such as Nature Boy, Unforgettable, and When I Fall in Love, alongside stylish reworkings of some of his lesser-known gems. Atila, widely praised for his vocal style and phrasing, will bring an authentic yet personal interpretation of Cole’s timeless music, ensuring this concert is a must-see for any jazz enthusiast.
On May 16, the Corn Exchange will host An Evening with Joséphine, featuring actor and singer Cassiopeia Berkeley-Agyepong alongside the Counterpoise Ensemble. This performance will celebrate the life and career of Joséphine Baker, the trailblazing American-born French entertainer, activist and spy. Baker rose to fame in the 1920s as a dancer and singer in Paris, becoming a global icon known for her powerful stage presence and groundbreaking performances. She later used her influence to support the French Resistance during World War II and became a prominent civil rights activist. This unique event will blend music, theatre, and storytelling to honour her extraordinary legacy.
On May 19, An Evening of Jazz at The Vineyard will feature leading jazz musicians at The Vineyard at Stockcross. Pianist Jamie Safir and clarinettist Kenny Martyn will perform a selection of jazz pieces in an intimate setting, exploring music from New Orleans, the British Trad Jazz era, American swing, and ballad standards. The evening includes a drink on arrival and a two-course meal prepared by The Vineyard’s head chef.
The Metronomes Steel Orchestra will perform at the Corn Exchange on May, 20 presenting a programme that incorporates elements of Caribbean jazz traditions. Based in London, the ensemble is known for its energetic performances that blend traditional steel pan music with jazz, calypso, and contemporary influences. Their music captures the rich cultural heritage of the Caribbean while pushing the boundaries of steel orchestra sound.
On May 21, The Music of Leonard Bernstein will highlight the composer’s integration of jazz idioms within his orchestral and stage compositions. A titan of 20th-century music, Bernstein’s works remain essential parts of the musical canon, with many of his songs becoming jazz standards. His extensive contributions to musical theatre, including West Side Story, Candide, On the Town, Wonderful Town, and A Quiet Place, showcase his ability to blend classical structures with jazz influences. Pianist Rob Barron and his trio will present a reimagined and improvisational interpretation of Bernstein’s music, devoting the first half of the concert to West Side Story, while the second half explores a wider selection from his diverse catalogue. This concert will examine Bernstein’s contribution to the genre, including selections from his best-known works.
Pianist Finn Carter and his quartet will perform at the Corn Exchange on May 23 as part of the Young Artists Recital Series, featuring a repertoire that showcases jazz improvisation and structural complexity. The Finn Carter Quartet comprises some of London’s most exciting emerging jazz musicians, who regularly tour internationally with artists such as Loyle Carner, Sampha, and Tom Misch. Their performances are not only technically impressive but also deeply emotive and synergistic. The quartet has played at prestigious venues, including a headline show at Ronnie Scott’s, Jern og Metall Festival in Norway, and the closing performance of Brick Lane Jazz Festival 2022.
The Newbury Spring Festival runs from May 10 to 24 offering a diverse musical programme that maintains its classical foundations while incorporating a broader spectrum of musical expression.
Visit www.newburyspringfestival.org.uk to see the whole programme.
