‘Art Blakey used to say ‘it doesn’t matter how complex you want to play, as long as you swing and play from the heart’ then he’d cite the great John Coltrane as an example. I owe it all to the great Art Blakey and I’ll be a Jazz Messenger for life.’ (Jean Toussaint)

 At Cadogan Hall, Jean Toussaint presents the release of his 12th album Live at the Jazz Café recorded at the end of the Brother Raymond tour, and later Ralph Peterson Jr. assembles an all-star group to pay tribute to The Jazz Messengers, the prolific big band collective led by his mentor, the late Art Blakey.

Join Jean and Ralph in between concerts for a talk to celebrate Art Blakey in the year that marks 100 years since his birth.

The EFG London Jazz Festival believes that #wearejazz, meaning that every person should be able to engage with jazz music and musicians in a way which is relevant and accessible. Our pre-concert talks series is an integral part of the Festival, offering free opportunities for people to engage with main-stage artists and industry leaders, regardless of whether you have a ticket for the performance itself.