Royal Birmingham Conservatoire is to host a brand new jazz festival for Birmingham taking place over two days, 12-13 February 2026, across the multi-venue building.

Eastside Jazz Festival will bring together internationally-renowned musicians with some of today’s most interesting and innovative talent, alongside grassroots promoters and exciting local and student musicians showcasing Birmingham’s thriving and creative jazz scene. 

Among headline artists are the internationally-acclaimed US saxophonist Chris Potter with the Pablo Held Trio, a significant force on the contemporary European jazz scene, giving the first gig of their extensive 20th anniversary tour. Pianist Rebecca Nash, whose career has soared in recent years, makes a prestige trio with Henrick Jensen and Dave Smith.  BBC Big Band, widely regarded as one of the world’s leading jazz orchestras, are given free rein for an evening which includes collaborations with RBC vocalists Julie Claire and Poppy Baker. And the Olie Brice Quartet - masters of original music and free improvisation - includes Rachel Musson, current recipient of the prestigious Paul Hamlyn Composer award, on tenor sax.

Programming for Eastside Jazz Festival is being led by Jeremy Price (Head of Jazz at Royal Birmingham Conservatoire), along with Tony Dudley-Evans (TDE Promotions) and RBC’s Ed Puddick, Shanti Jayasinha, Nicholas Gebhardt and Libby Surplice. 

Jeremy Price, Head of Jazz, Royal Birmingham Conservatoire, said: “The brand new Eastside Jazz Festival aims to celebrate Birmingham’s ever-growing and diverse jazz scene and strengthen the city’s position as a European centre for contemporary jazz.  It’s a two-day focus on year-round programming: alongside musicians of the highest calibre, and leading innovators in contemporary jazz, we’re also working with grassroots promoters Digbeth Jazz (named 2025 Parliamentary Awards’ Venue of the Year) and showcasing RBC’s own graduates and students.  Our courses at RBC are predicated on students sharing professional platforms with world class leading artists and this jazz festival embraces that exact same spirit. In this multi-venue event, we’ll be making full use of RBC’s Bradshaw and Recital Halls, purpose-built Eastside Jazz Club, and populating the foyers with wall-to-wall music.  And we’re introducing a roaming ticket so audiences can dip into the many and varied sessions to ensure an immersive festival experience.”

Graduates and current students of Royal Birmingham Conservatoire are a cornerstone of the Eastside Jazz Festival, cementing the legacy of the Jazz Department.  Trombonist and alumni Dave Sear – now a visiting tutor at RBC – plays with his quartet, while the Tony Levin Drum Prize, which commemorates the celebrated Midlands drummer, seeks out an exceptional student with US saxophonist Jean Toussaint and UK bassist Arnie Somogyi.  Big bands including Banda Brasiliera and RBC Jazz Orchestra are also involved.

Other highlights include pianist Ben Shankland (BBC Scotland Young Jazz Musician winner), RBC bassist Macy Wright & Indo Jazz, with more to be confirmed.

Eastside Jazz Festival is at Royal Birmingham Conservatoire on 12-13 February 2026. Tickets and details at bcu.ac.uk/concerts