Brecon Jazz Festival is set to make a triumphant return in 2025 with a fresh new team of local volunteers at the helm, bringing new ideas and expanded programming.

Taking place from August 8-10, 2025, the festival will once again transform Brecon into a haven for jazz lovers. The festival promises multiple stages and a thrilling lineup.

A dedicated group of Brecon-based volunteers has stepped in to take the festival forward. The team is introducing new programming, including a ‘Springtime Springboard for Jazz’ launch event in April, adding even more excitement to the festival calendar.

The Market Hall stage - a festival favourite - will return to host some of the biggest names in contemporary jazz.

Additional performances will take place at:

• The Muse (capacity: 80)

• The Guildhall (capacity: 180)

• Theatr Brycheiniog (capacity: 400)

• Outdoor stages throughout Brecon, ensuring a vibrant, city-wide celebration of jazz.

With thousands of visitors expected to line the streets, Brecon Jazz 2025 is aiming to offer a truly immersive festival experience.

The festival is proud to announce three sensational headliners:

• Friday Night – Cleveland Watkiss: ‘The Great Jamaican Songbook’ The festival opens with Cleveland Watkiss, one of the UK’s most innovative and respected jazz vocalists. His latest project, ‘The Great Jamaican Songbook’, is a powerful tribute to Jamaica’s rich musical heritage. This electrifying performance will take audiences on a journey through the golden era of roots music, from mento and ska to reggae, dub, and lovers rock. With his signature vocal mastery and deep connection to the music, Watkiss reimagines these classics in a way that is both fresh and timeless—an unmissable night of soulful storytelling and infectious rhythms.

• Saturday Night – Ruby Turner at Market Hall Stage On Saturday night, the legendary Ruby Turner takes the stage, bringing her powerhouse vocals and timeless hits to Brecon Jazz. Born in Jamaica and raised in the UK, Ruby has captivated audiences worldwide with her deep, emotive delivery, spanning soul, gospel, and R&B. From touring with Culture Club in the ‘80s to topping the US R&B charts and performing alongside The Four Tops, Jools Holland, and Mick Jagger, Ruby Turner remains one of Britain’s most electrifying live performers. Her show promises to be an unforgettable evening of pure soul and uncontainable energy.

• Sunday Night – Jazz Sabbath Closing out the festival in spectacular fashion, Jazz Sabbath takes the stage on Sunday night. This critically acclaimed ensemble, led by Black Sabbath’s original keyboardist Adam Wakeman, reimagines Black Sabbath classics as jazz masterpieces, revealing their supposed true origins as jazz compositions. With virtuosic musicianship, a sense of humour, and a deep appreciation for jazz and rock history, Jazz Sabbath’s performance promises to be a unique and unforgettable experience for music lovers of all genres.

For more about the festival and to stay up-to-date with ticket information, please visit the Brecon Jazz Festival website, which can be found at: www.breconjazzfestival2025.co.uk