Bristol Jazz Festival returns with one-night-only festival fundraiser

In the face of significant funding challenges, Bristol Jazz Festival is making a defiant return with a one-night-only festival fundraiser — a high-voltage celebration of jazz, community, and resistance.

Set for Wednesday 28 May at the historic Mount Without, the evening will unite five standout acts across two stages in a genre-spanning spectacle designed to reaffirm the festival’s essential place in the heart of Bristol.

Founded in 2013, BJF has become a cultural pillar—nurturing local talent, drawing international names, and cultivating a devoted audience. Now, as the wider arts landscape shifts and financial support contracts, the organisation is turning to its greatest strength: its community.

"This night is our love letter to Bristol—to the artists who’ve graced our stages, the audiences who’ve filled our rooms, and the city that’s embraced jazz as its own. But it’s also a rallying cry. Losing funding hasn’t dimmed our fire; it’s made us louder. We’re proving that jazz isn’t just alive here—it’s essential." said Katya Gorrie, Festival Director.

The evening will feature performances from a powerhouse lineup: The Jazz Defenders, The Good Stuff Gospel Choir, Rebecca Nash & Raph Clarkson, The Brass Junkies, and Moscow Drug Club. Attendees can expect a genre-spanning journey through modern jazz, gospel, brass, and swing, from early evening into a late-night crypt show—underscoring the festival’s trademark energy and adventurous programming.

In addition to the music, guests will enjoy curated courtyard food offerings and a full bar, all within one of Bristol’s most atmospheric venues. The Mount Without, with its soaring architecture and underground crypt stage, provides a dramatic backdrop for what promises to be an unforgettable night.

“We’re asking Bristol to show up—not just for us, but for itself. Jazz is the sound of this city: rebellious, collaborative, and utterly alive. If we pack this night, we send a message that culture can’t be cut without a fight,” added Gorrie.

Tickets are on sale now, with all proceeds going toward securing the festival’s future programming and outreach. Organisers are calling on Bristol’s music lovers to show their support and make this night a statement: that jazz is not only alive in Bristol, but thriving—with heart, defiance, and soul.