About
The Playhouse presents a vibrant programme of live jazz throughout the festival, showcasing outstanding artists in one of the city's most intimate and atmospheric venues!
Book your tickets early at: cityofderryjazzfestival.com/tickets
Thursday 30th April
Big Band Jazz with Britannia Band | 7.30pm | £10
Britannia Jazz and Big Band make their Playhouse debut with a high energy celebration of swing, soul and big band classics. Enjoy tributes to Aretha Franklin and Marvin Gaye alongside favourites such as Jump, Jive and Wail and Signed, Sealed, Delivered.
Friday 1st May
Sylvie Noble Trio | 7.30pm | £15
London based vocalist and composer Sylvie Noble is joined by Derry-born guitarist Joseph Leighton, London based bassist Lorenzo Morabito, and special guest Michael Murray on alto saxophone, bringing and exciting line-up of emerging European jazz talent to the stage.
Saturday 2nd May
Tommy Halferty Quartet | 2.30pm | £15
Guitarist Tommy Halferty retursn to his native Derry in his 80th year to leada special quartet with Kevin Brady, Scott Flanagan and Dave Redmond. This intimate concert blends shared history, expressive improvisation and warm interplay in a joyful tribute to one of the city's most treasured musicians.
Lady Day - A Celebration of Billie Holiday | 7.30pm | £15
Led by vocalist Camille Rose, the concert explores the remarkable repertoire of Lady Day. Featuring special guest vocalist Sylvie Noble, the performance brings together a stellar band including Riley Stone-Lonergan and Michael Murray (saxophones), John Leighton (piano), Joseph Leighton (guitar), Lorenzo Morabito (double bass) and Gene Calderazzo (drums)
Sunday 3rd May
Vinyl & Voices | 3.30pm | Early Bird £10 | Standard £15
Step into the groove at Vinyl & Voices, an intimate celebration of Derry's jazz heritage. Join local legends Jim McDermott, John Trotter and George Hasson, as they share the stories, sounds and vinyl tracks that shaped their musical journeys. The afternoon blends intimate interviews, live grooves and vivid memories into pure Derry jazz magic. Plus, enjoy an exclusive preview excerpt of 'The Second Line' written by Dave Duggan, a brand new jazz-infused play commissioned by The Playhouse marking 25 years of the City of Derry Jazz & Big Band Festival. Music, storytelling and soul, Derry style.
Leo Richardson Quartet | 7.30pm | £15
Tenor saxophonist Leo Richardson is one of the UK's leading voices in contemporary hard-bop jazz. His dynamic quartet delivers powerful, straight-ahead music inspired by the classic hard-bop tradition. Featuring Rick Simpson (piano), Dave Redmond (double bass) and Darren Beckett (drums), the group perform music from their acclaimed album Move alongside exciting new material.
Monday 4th May
Echtra | 6pm | £15
Irish musicians Michael Murray, Conor Murray, Joseph Leighton and Darren Beckett introduce their new collaborative project. The group creates original music shaped by openness and spontaneity, moving fluidly between delicate, spacious textures and driving, powerful grooves, responding instinctively to mood and movement.
