Blending the lyricism of folk traditions with the rhythmic drive of contemporary jazz,  Tomorrow’s Warriors Emerging Artist Mali Sheard is a saxophonist and composer whose music is both evocative and adventurous.

Already building a reputation as rising force on the UK jazz scene both as a solo artist and as a member of Ankora (who play The Bear Club on 3 October) , fans are eagerly anticipating the release of her debut album, Hay Fever, in the second half of 2026.

This performance is part of our Generation Jazz 2.0 series of gigs, showcasing brilliant young jazz musicians across the summer and autumn of 2026. Discounted ticket pricing applies for those under 25, students, and universal credit beneficiaries.

Doors 7pm/ Music 8.30pm

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

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

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

Omar's career is a testament to his enduring talent and influence from gaining international attention his signature hit, ‘There's Nothing Like This’, which launched a series of standout solo albums, collaborations with both legendary artists like Stevie Wonder, Lamont Dozier, the late Angie Stone, Leon Ware, Robert Glasper and Erykah Badu through to the current crop of cutting-edge music makers, and a catalogue of side projects spanning decades.

Known for his warm, distinctive voice, masterful songwriting and captivating stage presence, Omar delivers live performances that are both deeply soulful and genuinely uplifting. Tickets are expected to sell quickly so secure yours today and be part of a very special evening with a true legend of British soul.

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

Drink & Draw is a space to share ideas, create art, and enjoy a drink or two! There are no rules, no boundaries—just a full-blown explosion of creative energy.

Hosted by local illustrator, comic book artist, and Bear manager, Karl Brown, with a warm and welcoming atmosphere guaranteed.

Doors 7.30pm

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

Pat Fulgoni is an acclaimed British singer and bandleader fronting the The Pat Fulgoni Blues Experience is a powerhouse five-piece delivering soulful, contemporary blues infused with rock, funk and deep groove.

Equally at home on major European blues festival stages and across the UK gig circuit, the band has quickly established itself as a vital force on the modern blues scene.

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

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

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

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 own band for this 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

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

With Red Richardson, Steve Bugeja, Russell Hicks (MC) + more TBA

Doors 7pm / Start time 8pm

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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 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

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

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

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

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

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.

This performance is part of our Generation Jazz2.0 series of gigs, showcasing brilliant young jazz musicians across the summer and autumn of 2026. Discounted ticket pricing applies for those under 25, students, and universal credit beneficiaries.

Doors 7pm/ Music 8.30pm

Kick back at The Bear with a few drinks - due to a gig cancellation we’re open tonight just for drinks and for the vibe.

We’ll be offering a Happy Hour special, with 2-4-1 on all drinks from 6pm to 7pm. Then stick around for a night of great music. There will be outside tables, weather permitting, so come on down. It’s what the summer was made for.

Doors 6pm

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/ DJ set Niv Hammond / 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