From Dave Holland to Matt Carmichael: Kings Place Builds Its Jazz Season
Kings Place is putting jazz further at the centre of its programme this autumn, with major international artists, new commissions and the continued development of its resident jazz orchestra.
The season runs alongside what the venue describes as its biggest EFG London Jazz Festival programme to date. It brings together established names including Dave Holland and Bill Laurance with younger British musicians such as Fergus McCreadie and Matt Carmichael, while giving the Kings Place Jazz Orchestra a bigger role.
The result is a season that is as much about new work and developing musicians as it is about bringing established artists to King’s Cross.
Matt Carmichael opens the season
The season begins on 20 September with Scottish saxophonist and composer Matt Carmichael performing with the Kings Place Jazz Orchestra.
Carmichael’s music combines contemporary jazz with Scottish folk traditions. For the orchestra, the concert is another step in the development of an ensemble that was founded at Kings Place in 2025 by arranger and composer Callum Au, Jazz Programmer Hannah Hutton and Artistic Director Sam McShane.
The orchestra brings together established UK jazz and big band musicians with younger artists. Its work also includes open rehearsals, education projects and a Young Artist Platform offering paid opportunities to early-career musicians.
Kings Place Jazz Orchestra featuring Matt Carmichael
20 September, 4.30pm | Hall One
Bill Laurance closes the London Piano Festival
On 1 November, pianist and composer Bill Laurance closes the 2026 London Piano Festival at Kings Place.
A former member of Snarky Puppy, Laurance has won multiple Grammy Awards and works across jazz, classical and contemporary music. His collaborations have included David Crosby, Terence Blanchard, Jacob Collier and Chris Potter.
Bill Laurance
1 November, 7.30pm | Hall One
Fergus McCreadie brings a new commission
The EFG London Jazz Festival comes to Kings Place on 13 November with the London premiere of Flight Pass by Fergus McCreadie.
The new work has been co-commissioned by Chamber Music Scotland and Kings Place. McCreadie combines jazz improvisation with the sounds and storytelling of Scottish folk music, and Flight Pass takes that approach into a chamber setting.
Fergus McCreadie: Flight Pass
13 November, 7.30pm | Hall One
Dave Holland revisits Kenny Wheeler
One of the season’s most significant projects comes on 22 November, when legendary bassist and composer Dave Holland presents Vital Spark with singer Norma Winstone and the London Vocal Project.
The project focuses on the final compositions of Canadian trumpeter and composer Kenny Wheeler, who died in 2014. Winstone has written new lyrics for the music, with arrangements by Pete Churchill.
The concert is part of the Edition Records Series and the EFG London Jazz Festival, and offers the chance to hear works that have not previously been performed.
Dave Holland, Norma Winstone & London Vocal Project: Vital Spark
22 November, 7.30pm | Hall One
More jazz across the season
The programme also includes the Ambrose Akinmusire Quartet, Emma Rawicz’s CLOUDWALKER featuring Philip Dizack, Beyond Category & Jeru The Damaja: Honouring Duke Ellington, Kaidi Akinnibi x Mackwood, DREAMSCAPES, the Jonny Mansfield Quartet featuring Emmanuel Michael and the Polish Jazz Festival.
More artists are still to be announced.
Kings Place
90 York Way, King’s Cross, London N1 9AG
Details of all upcoming shows at King’s Place are available HERE
Elena Leo is the Culture & Lifestyle Editor of Ikon London Magazine.
