Battersea Jazz Festival Fundraiser
On Friday 16th May at 8pm, the riverside church of St Mary’s (a host of many jazz events in the last few years), will be the setting of the 2025 Battersea Jazz Festival Fundraiser; a relaxed evening of live jazz to aid the running costs of one of London's most exciting and growing enterprises. Festival founder and director Hugo Jennings will be presenting a programme of jazz repertoire which ties in to the different themes of this year's Battersea Jazz Festival, as well as some of his own favourite tunes from the Great American Songbook and more. He will also be talking through the different gigs which will be taking place from the 3rd-12th July and giving an insight into the past, present, and future of the festival.
Doors will open at 7:30pm, with music starting at 8pm.
This performance is free entry, with no advance booking required, but any donations on the night are encouraged and will go a long way to making this year's festival as much of a success as possible, and there will be a bar selling refreshments. If you are unable to attend but wish to make a contribution, or would prefer to donate in advance, please visit this page.
The Battersea Jazz Festival was first set up in July 2022 by Hugo Jennings, with the goal of showcasing the incredible talent we are so lucky to have on the London jazz scene and beyond. In its three runs so far, the festival has hosted more than 25 events of a wide variety of sizes and styles, establishing itself as a popular part of the London jazz calendar. As well as featuring some of the biggest names in British jazz and selling out venues such as the Clapham Grand and World Heart Beat Embassy Gardens, international stars such as Baptiste Herbin have come to perform. 2025 promises to be the most exciting yet, with performers including members of the North London Jazz Collective, international artists such as Daniele Gorgone and Gabrielle Stravelli, young up-and-coming project "Sula", and long established British jazz musicians including Allison Neale and Jim Mullen. As well as returning to the wonderful Landor Space, Grade I-listed St Mary's Church, and stunning new concert hall the World Heart Beat Embassy Gardens, the festival will be back at the iconic Clapham Grand on Sunday 6th July for a special performance of selections from Duke Ellington's Sacred Concerts featuring the South London Jazz Orchestra and members of the Thames Philharmonic, choir of St Mary's Battersea, and London Sings!. Your support will greatly aid the running of all these incredible events.
Hugo Jennings is a jazz pianist, singer and bandleader, orchestral conductor, teacher, and music curator. As with many of his gigs as a leader, he will be presenting a programme which showcases jazz’s rich history in an entertaining and informative way for the audience. Hugo has established himself as a respected name on the London jazz scene, through his playing, knowledge of the history of the music, and his work organising many gigs across town. His music is inspired by Barry Harris, Duke Ellington and Billy Strayhorn, Cedar Walton, Thelonious Monk, the Great American Songbook, and a variety of other jazz and classical composers. He has appeared alongside high-profile British artists such as Alex Garnett, Steve Fishwick, Tom Smith, Fraser Smith, Sam Braysher, and countless others, as well as American musicians including Adam Moezinia and Chuck Redd. In addition to his performing as a jazz pianist and singer, Hugo also works as conductor of Social London Orchestra and the South London Jazz Orchestra.
