2026 marks a milestone anniversary for tenor saxophonist and bandleader Simon Spillett: 30 years on the UK jazz scene.

Since his debut in the 1990s he has risen to become one of Britain’s most prominent jazz figures. An instrumentalist with a powerful, straight-ahead style, drawing on the best of the jazz tradition and in particular the inspiration of an illustrious forebear, the late great Tubby Hayes, his gigs are always highly popular and hugely entertaining.

Doors 7pm / Music 8.30pm

Ma Polaine’s Great Decline are an award-winning band praised by MOJO Magazine for their unique blend of pop, folk, blues, and Americana, embarking on an exciting UK tour following the February release of their fifth studio album, Monster Swan.

Their gigs at The Bear Club are always something special and the new album is a return to the grittier, bluesier side of Ma Polaine which still carries their usual “hard to pigeon-hole” hallmark.

Doors 7pm / Music 8pm

Pearl Handled Revolver’s recent gigs at The Bear have become legendary. Having recorded their live album “Live at The Bear Club” in 2025, they’re back to perform their own original and distinctive fusion of psychedelic blues and progressive jazz rock.

Bedford-based with five studio albums, four EPs, two live albums, and a boxed set back-catalogue double album under their belt, the band have built a large and loyal following through their energetic and immersive performances at some of the UK’s and Europe's best festivals and music venues.  

Doors 7pm / Music 8.30pm

Voted one of the 'Hottest Bass Players in the World' by readers of Bass Player magazine, virtuoso British-Asian bass player Shez Raja is renowned for his high-energy live shows, unique Indo-jazz-funk sound, and global star collaborations with Mike Stern, Randy Brecker, Dennis Chambers, and Wayne Krantz.

Shez will be joined by not one but two special guests—the electric guitar sensation, Guthrie Govan and tenor sax maestro Tony Kofi. This will be some night…

Doors 7pm / Music 8.30pm

The Thumping Tommys return for a rare summertime outing at The Bear.

This UK-based bluegrass and folk band always tear the roof off with their heady brew of barn-storming, blues-infused Irish, American, and English folk music. Known for their original compositions, as well as unique cover versions of an eclectic mix of songs from the folk and blues canon, they have made their mark on the club and festival circuit all over Europe. 

Doors 7pm / Music 8.30pm

Rapidly establishing themselves as one of the must-see live bands in the UK and after a storming performance at The Bear Club last time out, GETNOTGOT create musical landscapes that are fused in the Blue Note heritage with contemporary acid-jazz nuances and a funk-fuelled musical energy.

Catch them live, and you’ll feel their sonic connection and musical union firsthand. After well-received support slots with Smoove & Turrell, and Izo Fitzroy, and numerous shows in the heart of London’s jazz circuit, the demand is high for this quintet’s infectious soul-bearing vibes.

Doors 7pm / Music 8.30pm

Get ready for an unforgettable afternoon of soul, funk and jazz and pure musical fire as London’s own bass virtuoso Dean Mark joins us his full live band featuring powerhouse special guest vocalist Nicky Prince.

Born and raised in London, Dean Mark has been setting stages alight since the mid-90s, earning his place as one of the UK’s most respected and in-demand bass players and musical directors. His unmistakable groove and musical finesse have seen him perform alongside legends including Roy Ayers, Amy Winehouse, Brian Jackson, Craig David, Alexander O’Neal, Lulu, The Temptations, Lemar, Loose Ends and many more.

Dean joins us as part of our new Soulful Sundays series, taking place across Sunday afternoons and early evenings this spring and summer.

Doors 2pm/ Music 4.15pm

Alderney-born Robert J. Hunter is back at The Bear having taken the blues and Americana scene by storm. Armed with a gruff, powerful voice and the wild thud of an overdriven, foot-stomping guitar, he delivers a raw and soulful sound that is unmistakably his own.

His evocative songwriting takes you on emotional, deeply personal journeys, echoing the spirit of artists such as Bruce Springsteen, Free, Jackson Browne, Little Feat, Rory Gallagher, The Band, The Black Crowes, The Eagles and Tom Petty.

Doors 7pm / Music 8.30pm

We’re delighted to welcome multi-award-winning US soul and funk singer Gina Sedman back to The Bear.

A dynamic Californian soul artist known for her magnetic stage presence, rich vocals, and emotionally charged songwriting, Gina blends classic soul, funky rhythms, and future-soul influences into performances that move effortlessly between high-energy grooves and intimate, heartfelt storytelling — creating a powerful connection with her audience.

Doors 7pm / DJ set 7.30pm / Music 8.30pm

Led by saxophonist Rob Mach, Jazz Jam welcomes musicians, vocalists, dancers, and music lovers who enjoy spending an afternoon listening to or creating great music, supported by DJ Mr Jazzy Vibes.

Doors 1pm / Music 2pm

Happy Shark are back for another great night of comedy with an incredible line up!

With Nick Helm, Limahl Germain, Russell Hicks (MC) + more TBA

Doors 7pm / Start time 8pm

Dan Costa has performed on six continents and we’re thrilled that he is bringing his project to Luton for the first time.

Having recorded with the likes of John Patitucci, Ivan Lins, Randy Brecker, Roberto Menescal and other legends, Costa’s critically-acclaimed music reflects his mixed cultural background (his parents are Italian and Portuguese respectively) as well as his appreciation of the natural environment, which has informed his artistic philosophy.

A musician, educator and writer, he plays beautiful lyrical jazz piano which has sometimes been compared to Bill Evans or Chick Corea in feel.

Doors 7pm / Music 8.30pm

MAZZA (Davide Mazzantini) is a London-based blues guitarist and singer who has been deeply embedded in the city’s blues circuit for over a decade. Known for his raw, performance-led sound, he blends the spirit of traditional Chicago blues with a modern, high-energy edge—delivering live shows built on feel, groove, and improvisation.

His recent releases, including a bold reinterpretation of the Little Walter classic My Babe, were recorded at the legendary Toe Rag Studios in London and produced by Liam Watson, capturing a rich analogue sound that mirrors the intensity of his live performances.

Doors 7pm / Music 8.30pm

Seamus Fogerty is on the verge of great things - having released his debut full-length ‘God Damn You Mountain’ on cult Scottish label Fence Records (King Creosote, Jon Hopkins) in 2012, this was followed by 2017’s The Curious Hand and 2020’s A Bag Of Eyes‍ . The lead single from his most recent EP, ‘They Recognised Him’ received high praise from Oscar-winner Cillian Murphy who singled it out for recommendation on his Limited Edition show on 6Music and his new album Ships is his most expansive and uplifting collection of music to date. Seamus plays tonight both solo on guitar, keyboards and loops and with a drummer.

Doors 7pm / Music 8.30pm

Hannah Horton is a melodic maverick, an artist who goes her own way. An award-winning saxophonist and composer, she is one of the most distinctive voices on the UK jazz scene, known for her compelling sense of melody, lyrical tone and the emotional honesty that runs through every performance.

With her powerful rhythmic sense, unmistakable tone and strong sense of narrative, Hannah’s music bridges the worlds of modern jazz, soul and folk, blending sophistication with warmth and accessibility. Critics and audiences alike praise her ability to combine groove, space and melody into something deeply personal and irresistibly engaging.

Doors 7pm/ Music 8.30pm

Part of our series showcasing some of the finest young artists on the UK’s blues scene, Jack-Austin Despy, from Billericay in Essex is already being recognised as one of the UK’s brightest new blues talents.

Jack began his musical journey at the age of six when he learned to play harp and at the age of thirteen he played guitar and sang at the Rory Gallagher Festival UK in Nantwich where he amazed the audience with his skills. Jack-Austin blends the virtuosity of Stevie Ray Vaughan with the passion of Rory Gallagher and the soul of BB King, while carving out his own unique identity on stage.

Doors 7pm/ Music 8.30pm

Tomorrow’s Warriors presents…Saxophonist David Kayode’s commanding tenor sound blends Yoruba tradition, carnival energy and contemporary jazz into a distinctly London sound that moves bodies and evokes ancestral stories.

Mentored by Gary Crosby OBE and Camilla George, David has already performed with the Gary Crosby Sextet in the acclaimed Mingus Moves series (coming up in August at The Bear), toured internationally with Moses Boyd, and collaborated with artists including Ni Maxine and Osibisa.

Spring 2026 saw the release of his debut EP, Ade Kayode, that was instantly picked up by radio, including JazzFM, BBC3, and One Jazz.

You need to be in the room for this one…

Doors 7pm/ Music 8.30pm

NW FRQNC (pronounced New Frequency) is a new project combining elements of the Dutch funk/acid jazz band The Pact, Italy’s world-renowned saxophonist Gianni Vancini, and Selina Albright’s powerhouse vocals.

Led by the charismatic Albright and backed by an awesome band, flavoured by uber-talented saxophonist Gianni Vancini, NW FRQNC conclude our series of Soulful Sundays in style.

Doors 2pm / Music 3.30pm

Don’t think two guys can make much of a noise ? These guys make a helluva racket….

Henry’s Funeral Shoe was formed by two brothers from South Wales, inspired and influenced by many of the albums looted from their father’s vinyl collection growing up. The Who, CCR, Peter Green, Robert Johnson and The Beatles were favourites.

Aled is a gifted guitar player and with his younger brother Brennig playing drums the brothers have joined forces to create some of the loudest soulful rock & roll to come out the UK in a long time.

Doors 7pm / Music 8.30pm

Jazz pianist, composer, arranger and band leader Asa Martinson and his band The Outlet fuse afrobeats with jazz bringing a unique blend of traditional and modern influences to The Bear Club inspired by legends James Brown, Tony Allen, George Duke and Julian Joseph.

With a mix of vocal and instrumental tunes, as well as high energy and interactive sets expect a night of unreleased gems and music from their debut EP scheduled for release in early 2026.

Doors 7pm/ Music 8.30pm

We welcome the awesome blues guitar talent that is Paulie Boy Blues to The Bear Club for the first time. He brings the noise, the swagger and raw ability of someone carrying lightly the burden of blues rock tradition upon his shoulders.

Comparisons with Hendrix are plain and obvious but too easy. Yes he plays with some of his panache and experimentation but in doing so he finds his own style. He bridges the space between classic blues and contemporary noise rock with total authenticity summoning the spirit of the past but taking the music forward into the future with a huge sense of conviction.

Doors 7pm/ Music 8.30pm

Sarah Hanahan is a dynamic and soulful alto saxophonist rapidly emerging as one of the most compelling new voices in jazz.

A graduate of both the Jackie McLean Institute of Jazz and The Juilliard School, Hanahan fuses the deep-rooted swing and bebop traditions with a bold, modern intensity—an approach that reflects her rigorous training and fearless artistic vision. You might have caught her playing at The Bear Club with Joe Farnsworth last summer and we just had to get her back.

Doors 7pm / Music 8.30pm

Following the release of her new album Making Moves, Danni Nicholls heads back to the UK this August and September. Rooted in Americana and rich storytelling, her songs explore resilience, change and the journey back to self — delivered with warmth, grit, and a captivating live presence.

Now Nashville based but originally from Bedford she grew up on a diet of the American roots music of her Anglo-Indian grandmother’s record collection and has been steadily paving her way on the global Americana scene.

Doors 7pm / Music 8.30pm

Secret Night Gang is a writing duo founded by Kemani Anderson and Callum Connell, who joined forces with a set of amazing musicians to blend neo-soul with a jazz-inflected flair as an awesome, not-to-be-missed 7-piece live experience.

Renowned for their must-see performances, SNG continue to captivate audiences, redefining the street soul genre one show at a time.

“…sunshine on tap!”

Doors 7pm / Music 8.30pm

Bassist, band leader and co-founder of Tomorrow’s Warriors, Gary Crosby OBE brings together his quintet for a night celebrating the legendary jazz innovator and composer Charles Mingus.

For this special celebration Crosby will lead his quintet of super-talented young musicians through his personal favourite from the Mingus catalogue – Mingus Moves, recorded in 1973 and possibly his last great album. There will also be some classic Mingus tracks including Goodbye Pork Pie Hat and II BS.

Doors 7pm / Music 8.30pm

Thomas Atlas is a British guitarist, vocalist, and songwriter who has built a dynamic career blending blues and funk. After touring the UK and USA with soul and blues bands, he gained recognition with his ''Garage Funk'' YouTube videos, leading to performances at venues like Ronnie Scott’s and The 100 Club.  He also came close to selling out on his debut at The Bear Club last summer.

This is high-quality, high-tempo funky blues… with horns!

Doors 7pm / Music 8.30pm

As a special bank holiday weekend treat, we don’t really do tribute acts but… formed to mark the 60th anniversary of John Mayall’s Blues Breakers with Eric Clapton, Sonny Flint’s Beano Bluesbreakers, is a tribute to one of the most influential recordings in British blues history.

The project is dedicated to recreating faithfully the sound, feel and musical intent of the original album, which helped define the UK’s electric blues movement.

The band offers audiences the opportunity to hear this landmark recording performed in full, plus additional songs from the original live set, with precision, restraint and deep reverence for its place in music history.

Doors 7pm/ Music 8.30pm

Hot off the heels of her debut at Ronnie Scott’s, we are excited to welcome back Kirstin Knight to The Bear Club almost exactly two years to the day since her sold out debut.

A commanding presence on stage and a voice rich in soul, control and storytelling, Kirstin Elsadie Knight is the driving force behind her live band, Elsadie and The Bobcats. Blending jazz, neo-soul, pop and blues, her sound feels right at home on a stage built for true live music lovers.

Doors 7pm / Music 8.30pm

Burning Rope is the new band formed by former Catfish members Paul Long and Adam Pyke, with superb blues rock guitarist Alex Voysey and Mitch Weaving (who also toured several times with Catfish) on drums.

The band is born out of family tragedy and loss following the death in October 2024 from cancer of the Catfish frontman Matt Long, and a desire by other members of the band to continue playing music. They’ll be performing some of Paul’s songs from Catfish and previous bands, plus new material written over the past year, together with a few unusual covers.

Doors 7pm/ Music 8.30pm

Harry Brunt has rapidly established himself as an important new voice on the UK jazz scene. An experienced performer with an impressive list of appearances, in addition to his work with his own quartet, Harry is a co-leader of the award winning group, Howl Quartet.

Tonight the quartet will be showcasing music from their debut EP Carolina Peaches featuring the considerable talents of Billy Marrows (guitar), Flo Moore (bass) & Rod Oughton (drums),

Doors 7pm/ Music 8.30pm

You might have caught Henry Grace play when he supported Dylan Le Blanc at The Bear Club in February and we’re thrilled to have him back with his full band for his own show.

Grace plays fine guitar-led rock with a definite Americana leaning having recently returned from living in California for 5 years. He’s back on home soil and kicking up a storm with latest album Things Are Moving All Around Me getting excellent reviews.

Doors 7pm / Music 8.30pm

Delighted to have acclaimed New York trumpeter Joe Magnarelli play The Bear Club for the first time.

For over three decades, Joe Magnarelli has been recognized as one of the world’s leading trumpet players. One of the most in demand on the New York scene, he has played with everyone from Lionel Hampton, Ray Baretto and Brother Jack McDuff to Harry Connick Jr, Mel Torme, Liberace and Aretha Franklin…

He joins pianist Sean Fyfe and his fiery trio with Jeremy Brown on bass and Mark Taylor on drums.

This should be some night !

Doors 7pm / Music 8.30pm

Delighted to welcome back The Rosellys to The Bear Club having last played here back in 2022.

Influenced by artists like Chris Stapleton, Alison Krauss, Gillian Welch, Gram Parsons & James Taylor to name a few, it’s clear The Rosellys have an absolute love for alternative country music.

This is a true family band - led by life partners Dr Rebecca Rosellys (guitar, vocals, banjo) and Simon Rosellys (guitar, fiddle, vocals), along with Simon’s dad Allan Kelly (pedal steel/accordion) and father/son Matt Kirby (bass) and George Kirby (drums).

Doors 7pm / Music 8.30pm

A highly individual pianist and composer, Zoe Rahman’s style is deeply rooted in jazz yet it reflects her classical background, British/Bengali heritage and her very broad musical taste. A MOBO Award winner, Mercury Prize nominee and Ivor Novello Award winner, she has become a highly sought-after musician on the international jazz scene.

Rahman presents music from her new album “Hull Suite Live” with her world-class jazz trio, featuring drummer Gene Calderazzo (Pharoah Sanders, Randy Brecker) and bassist Alec Dankworth (Abdullah Ibrahim, Dave Brubeck).

Doors 7pm/ Music 8.30pm

Redtenbacher’s Funkestra featuring Carter Arrington present The Exchange: a new guitar-driven jazz-funk fusion project powered by deep grooves, bold improvisation and explosive live chemistry. Following the success of last year’s 30-year anniversary Funkopia tour, this gig is part of a limited-run UK tour launching the forthcoming collaborative album from Stefan Redtenbacher and Carter Arrington, pairing new material with selected Funkestra highlights.

Expect a high-impact set of fervent guitar playing, tight ensemble interplay and exhilarating fusion throughout.

Doors: 7pm/ Music: 8.30pm

Jazz Sabbath is a jazz trio that plays new jazz arrangements of Black Sabbath songs (although the band presents itself tongue-in-cheek as a jazz trio founded in 1968 and the original authors of the tracks later made famous by Black Sabbath..).

Helmed by pianist Adam Wakeman (Black Sabbath and Ozzy Osbourne since 2004), Jazz Sabbath explores the boundaries between jazz and the songs that defined heavy metal, revisiting existing jazz riffs and discovering new ones…

Doors 7pm / Music 8.30pm

We are delighted to welcome Kananayé to The Bear Club.

Kananayé is an artistic collaboration between Burkina Faso and France that weaves narrative songs in French, Jula, More, and English, blending the musical heritage of West Africa, blues, improvisation, poetry and organic trance.

Doors 7pm / Music 8pm

Brazilian blues guitarist from Rio, Big Gilson, makes his Bear Club debut as part of his Back2Blues tour with his UK Blues Dynamite band.

Big Gilson is a masterful guitarist and one of the best electric slide players around having opened for Steve Winwood, B.B. King, Buddy Guy and Robert Cray among others.

This will be a total musical treat - an evening of great blues, well-crafted original songs and inspired covers.

Doors 7pm / Music 8.30pm

Shapeshifter is a new trio featuring three very special creative voices of the UK scene: Huw V Williams (bass) and Jay Davis (drums).

Mark Lockheart is one of the UK’s most distinctive and forward-thinking saxophonists and composers, who first came to prominence with the pioneering big band Loose Tubes, before going on to shape the UK scene through projects such as Perfect Houseplants and the Mercury Prize-nominated Polar Bear.

Creating a unique sonic experience this new trio shifts moment to moment, gracefully and spontaneously stitching together sound landscapes and grooves.

Doors 7pm / Music 8.30pm

David Ford’s Songbook tour is a stripped-back, intimate evening built around 25 years of songwriting. Part live set, part storytelling, he revisits the songs that have shaped his career, sharing the moments and influences behind them along the way. It’s a relaxed, engaging show—just Ford, the songs, and the stories. Don’t miss it!

Doors 7pm / Music 8.30pm

Ben Poole is an internationally recognised, award winning blues, rock and soul guitarist, singer and songwriter from the UK.

Nominated as one of the "Best Blues Guitarists in the world" just prior to the 2 year pandemic hiatus alongside names such as Eric Clapton, John Mayer, Buddy Guy, Robert Cray, Joe Bonamassa & many more by the USA's 'Guitar World Magazine' Ben Poole is very much at the forefront of the talent rich blues/rock scene on a worldwide scale.

Doors 7pm/ Music 8.30pm

Curtis Salgado joins forces with ace guitarist Alan Hager for a series of very rare intimate duo shows celebrating music from their celebrated Alligator Records album "Rough Cut".

Award-winning vocalist, instrumentalist and songwriter Curtis Salgado is revered worldwide for his ability to wring every ounce of soul out of every song he performs. Alan Hager has been jamming with Salgado since 2003, and joined his band full-time in 2015.

Together, the two blues fans and friends recorded Rough Cut, a stripped-down album featuring a potent mix of newly written, timeless originals and carefully chosen blues covers which they will be showcasing tonight.

Doors 2pm / Music 3.30pm

The Rabbitts return to The Bear Club having been a huge success with The Bear audience when they played one of the gigs of the year in February last year.

Known for their delicate harmonies, immersive arrangements, they craft music that blurs the lines between folk, alternative, and atmospheric pop.

Doors: 7pm/ Music: 8.30pm

Soft Machine is one of the greatest UK avant/jazz-rock bands of all time. From early performances as a psychedelic band when they were contemporaries of, and shared stages with, Syd Barrett’s Pink Floyd and The Jimi Hendrix Experience, all the way to being one of Europe’s best known fusion bands, Soft Machine has influenced several generations of bands and continues to be name-checked by today’s hip experimentalists.

Whilst the line-up of Soft Machine may have changed many times since the heady days of the late 1960s, the band’s spirit of musical adventure continues to make it both unique and totally contemporary.

Doors 7pm / Music 8.30pm