Jazz Stroud Festival returns from 9 – 12 April 2026

Jazz Stroud 2026 announces partnership with WOMAD Festival and releases initial lineup celebrating new wave UK jazz

Stroud, Gloucestershire — April 2026

The acclaimed Jazz Stroud Festival returns this spring with an exciting new partnership with WOMAD Festival, which will co-host an expanded 2026 Jazz Stroud programme ahead of WOMAD’s first edition in its new home at the historic Neston Park Estate near Corsham in Wiltshire this July. WOMAD will curate the Friday programme at Jazz Stroud, host a record fair, and curate talks throughout the weekend in partnership with Real World Records, the British record label founded by Peter Gabriel.

Paula Henderson, Music Curator at WOMAD, said:
“Jazz Stroud represents everything WOMAD is about; grassroots creativity and an inspiring lineup of both local talent and internationally acclaimed acts. We’re super excited to get involved this year and bring a bit of WOMAD to Stroud in the run up to our return to the field in July. For any of our guests that can’t wait till July, come down and enjoy a weekend in Stroud with us”

Jazz Stroud, the non-profit festival celebrating the new wave of UK jazz alongside electronic, world-influenced and genre-crossing music, returns in 2026 with an expanded programme, more venues, and a standout lineup. Rooted in Stroud’s independent creative spirit, the festival brings artists, audiences, and local culture together across intimate spaces throughout the town.

More than a weekend of music, Jazz Stroud is a platform for grassroots creativity and a launchpad for emerging and regional talent. The festival champions artists who are innovating, experimenting, and redefining contemporary jazz, offering audiences the chance to encounter music at the leading edge of creative expression.

Performances, deep listening sessions, and artist talks will take place across Stroud’s cultural spaces, including The Goods Shed, Stroud Valleys Artspace, St Laurence Church, Sound Records, Klang Tone Records, and a series of pop-up venues woven through the town. Audiences are invited to move through Stroud as part of the festival itself, experiencing music, conversation, and place as one connected journey.

This year’s programme reflects the full breadth of where jazz and genre-crossing music intersect. Mercury nominated saxophonist Cassie Kinoshi brings her acclaimed nine-piece band Seed for a headline set with their powerful, socially rooted ensemble sound, blending contemporary jazz with Afro-Caribbean and West African influences. The extraordinary 18-piece New Regency Orchestra will deliver their infectious Latin-Jazz big band energy with scale, movement, and rich horn-heavy arrangements. Trumpeter Laura Jurd’s new quartet mixes lyrical trumpet lines and fiery folk jazz sounds as heard on their lauded album Rites and Revelations, while synth-wizard Danalogue brings his high-energy cosmic electro sound for a late night set blurring the boundaries between jazz and club culture.

Falle Nioke steps into more experimental territory with textured, forward-thinking sound worlds. Neffa T connects jazz lineage to modern club sensibilities with groove-driven sets, Bel Cobain adds a neo-soul expressive edge, Allysha Joy brings warmth, soul, and emotional depth, and Ancient Infinity Orchestra completes the spectrum with immersive, cinematic ensemble performance. Together, the lineup reflects Jazz Stroud’s belief that jazz today is not one sound, but a living, evolving conversation, starting with grassroots creativity.

Neil Walker, Founder of Jazz Stroud, said:
“I love Stroud and its vibrancy, the landscape is stunning, it's weird how many things happen in this small town, so many of the pubs, cafes, venues, artist studios have ambitious arts programmes including live music, spoken word, dj events. It’s extraordinary. Our festival, Jazz Stroud has grown from grass roots over a ten year period evolving initially from SVA’s artist led studios and these collectives and networks were fundamental in giving what we do meaning. I can’t actually believe how far it has come without losing its focus on the collaborative, the cutting edge and experimental. And of course there are some beautiful parties, very important work!”

Jazz Stroud operates as a registered non-profit charity. Every ticket sold and every donation made directly supports emerging talent development in Stroud, funding performance opportunities, mentoring and creative projects that extend well beyond the festival weekend. The festival’s ambition is long-term: to strengthen the local creative ecosystem while contributing meaningfully to the future of UK jazz.

Stroud is a vibrant market town in the South West Cotswolds, set at the meeting point of five valleys and known for its steep hills, wool heritage, and fiercely independent spirit. Surrounded by beautiful commons, it is home to independent shops, a vibrant farmers’ market, and a thriving arts community. The town offers visitors far more than a music destination, and festival-goers are encouraged to spend the weekend exploring Stroud’s walks, galleries, food culture, and classic Cotswold pubs alongside the music.

The Goods Shed, one of the festival’s main venues, is a Grade II-listed railway building dating back to the mid-19th century, originally part of the town’s historic goods yard designed around Brunel’s railway vision. Once central to Stroud’s industrial life, it has since been reimagined as one of the town’s most important cultural spaces, now operated by Stroud Valleys Artspace (SVA). For Jazz Stroud, the venue will host an d&b audiotechnik Soundscape spatial audio system. With 360-degree speaker placement throughout the building, selected artists will perform in the round, creating an immersive, three-dimensional listening experience that honours both the architecture and the future of live sound.

Stephen Hogg, Managing Director, d&b audiotechnik GB Ltd, said:
“Jazz Stroud is an excellent example that proves quality music events are not restricted to big cities. Local festivals are an important cultural platform that allows artists to connect with new audiences and hone their craft. I very much see d&b as part of the community and enjoy participating in its vibrant creative scene. We’ve been collaborating with the team at The Goods Shed for several years now, allowing both revered and up-and-coming artists to experiment with our technology, especially Soundscape, and discover ways to enhance their live shows. I very much look forward to this year’s edition.”

Jazz Stroud welcomes dedicated jazz listeners and curious newcomers alike, offering a festival built on discovery, connection and creative depth rather than scale or hierarchy. It is more than a jazz festival. It is a celebration of creative culture.

Full lineup details are available via Jazz Stroud’s social channels and website. Weekend tickets are available through Dice.fm. A limited number of day tickets may be released closer to the event, however audiences are encouraged to support the festival by purchasing a weekend ticket where possible.

Artist Lineup Confirmed So Far (A–Z)

Analogue Lounge, Ancient Infinity Orchestra, Allysha Joy, Bel Cobain, Danalogue, Falle Nioke, Footshooter, Joicey Collective, Laura Jurd (Quartet), Let Spin, Liam Large, Lovellious, Marysia Osu, Medina, Neffa T, Neue Grafik, New Regency Orchestra and Seed.

The second wave of artists announcements is due in February, with a third wave closer to the show. 

Notes to Editors

Jazz Stroud is a non-profit, town-wide music and culture festival based in Stroud, Gloucestershire. The festival, in partnership with WOMAD Festival, celebrates contemporary jazz and genre-crossing music while providing a platform for emerging and regional talent through performance, education and development initiatives.

Key Venues:
The Goods Shed
Stroud Valleys Artspace
St Laurence Church
Stroud Records and Klang Tone Records
Additional pop-up venues across Stroud

Dates: 9–12 April 2026
Location: Stroud, Gloucestershire

Tickets available from Dice.fm
Ticket link : https://tinyurl.com/jazzstroud

Press Contact

For interviews, images, artist access or further information:

Name: Mike Flynn
Email: TBC
Phone: TBC
Website: www.jazzstroud.org