After a very busy year, Basharan are headed into the studio in 2026 to record their debut album showcasing the diversity and versatility in their songwriting: punk, metal, and grunge songs mixed with their classic blues-rock riff style.

They’re still unsigned and completely independent—no label, no PR machine, no borrowed momentum. The songs are the real thing: big, unapologetic rock with hooks, weight, and personality. Nothing is written to please an algorithm—it’s honest, and it stays with you.

Doors 7pm / Music 8pm

UK-based guitarist and former member of The Jeff Beck Group, Nicolas Meier, has carved out a reputation as one of the world's most original and uniquely talented players.

Drawing from a love of Turkish, Eastern, and Middle Eastern music, as well as rock, flamenco, and tango, his versatility and musical fluency extend well beyond even that.

Doors 7pm / Music 8.30pm

He’s back! Ray Gelato, The Godfather of Swing and multi-talented singer, saxophonist, songwriter, and bandleader, returns for what is always one of the top nights of the year at The Bear Club.

Ray and his band have enjoyed an illustrious and successful career, including a long-established residency at Ronnie Scott’s, where they perform a sell-out event every Christmas. He has also performed twice for the late Queen Elizabeth, opened for Robbie Williams at the Royal Albert Hall, and played at Sir Paul McCartney’s wedding.

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

To celebrate 10 years of stand-up comedy shows at The Bear Club, Happy Shark are putting on a very special evening with a secret lineup of fantastic acts.

Think of it like unwrapping birthday presents. The lineup will be revealed on the night, and every act will be headliner-level. This will be a cracker!

Doors 7pm / Start time 8pm

Travelling troubadour Sorrel Nation returns after a storming show last year with her soulful mix of folk-rock and Americana.

She combines emotive, heartfelt lyrics with 70s-inspired style and a gorgeous voice that totally cuts through.

Support is from the excellent singer-songwriter Rachael Sage.

Doors 7pm / Music 8.30pm

Join us for an unforgettable evening of exciting original music from London-based jazz pianist and composer Jonny Liebeck.

With his band of top young musicians, he will be performing tunes from his latest EP, Influences, featuring compositions inspired by contemporary jazz and electronic dance music genres such as jungle, breakbeat, and deep house.

Doors 7pm / Music 8.30pm

We’re excited to welcome Lizzy Hardingham back to The Bear Club. This folk-infused singer-songwriter delivers music that drives straight to the heart, giving audiences a chance for genuine connection and empathy.

Lizzy is paving her way as a powerhouse performer with beautifully delivered songs, and her wonderful voice grabs you from the very first note until the last. Think Joni Mitchell, Sandy Denny, and KT Tunstall, all wrapped into one.

Doors 7pm / Music 8pm

You may have caught him as part of the Night in the Canyon gig last year. Now, Eddy Smith returns to The Bear Club with his own band.

Captivating audiences with his unique, husky voice and tasteful piano, Eddy has been making his mark on the UK’s growing Americana scene. His infectious melodies and soulful songwriting have drawn comparisons to the likes of Joe Cocker, JJ Grey, and Marcus King.

Doors 7pm / Music 8.30pm

We’re thrilled to welcome the Alistair Martin Quintet, featuring special guest Tom Smith, for an evening celebrating the centenary of the birth of the "Prince of Darkness", Miles Davis.

Bringing together two of the most exciting voices on the contemporary British jazz scene, visionary trumpeter Alistair Martin and award-winning saxophonist Tom Smith explore the chameleonic legacy of Miles Davis. From the iconic cool of the 1950s to the fiery innovations of his later eras, this is a powerhouse tribute to an icon of style and restless reinvention.

Doors 7pm / Music 8.30pm

Hertfordshire-based folk and acoustic singer-songwriter Steve Warner returns to The Bear Club with his self-penned songs on tenor guitar.

He’s joined by Julie Simpson, a Scottish folk singer-songwriter from Shefford. While known for her covers of Kate Bush, Simon & Garfunkel, and Tracy Chapman, Julie is also an accomplished songwriter in her own right.

Doors 7pm / Music 8pm

You may have caught Robbie Cavanagh as part of Night in the Canyon last year. Now, we’re thrilled to welcome him back to The Bear Club with his own band and his own music.

Robbie is a veteran of the industry, with an Emerging Artist award, three studio albums, several released co-writes, and many festival and showcase appearances under his belt. His unwavering focus on staying true to his identity as an artist has kept him current, fresh, and popular through a decade as a full-time touring musician.

Doors 7pm / Music 8.30pm

Lucca Mae is a rising star on London’s burgeoning soul and rock 'n' roll scene, who played an awesome gig here last year. Taking cues from the likes of Sam Cooke, Amy Winehouse, and Paolo Nutini, her singing, songwriting, and performances are second to none.

With sold-out gigs across the UK, Australia, and Canada, alongside her solo weekly residency at the legendary Marquis in Covent Garden, Lucca Mae is well underway and taking over the UK, one gig at a time. 

Doors 7pm / Music 8.30pm

Long regarded as a rising star of British blues guitar in the tradition of Eric Clapton and Peter Green, Connor Selby has now well and truly arrived.

He creates a soulful blend of hard-hitting blues and emotional, introspective songwriting that, at times, evokes a modern take on the best of the music that inspires him.

Doors 7pm / Music 8.30pm

German pianist and composer Hans Koller joins forces with double bassist Calum Gourlay, fellow founder of the Monk repertoire band Thelonious, and the unique saxophone virtuoso and Bear Club favourite Tony Kofi, renowned for knowing the entire Monk book by heart. 

The amazing young drummer Noah Ojumu completes this quartet celebrating the music of Thelonious Monk, exploring lesser-known compositions and offering their own fresh take on this iconic, timeless music.

Doors 7pm / Music 8.30pm

New Orleans-born, London-based soul artist Acantha Lang has drawn comparisons to legends like Aretha Franklin and Gladys Knight. Her debut album Beautiful Dreams reached #3 on the Official UK Jazz & Blues Albums Chart and #14 on the Official UK Independent Album Breakers Chart. BBC’s Craig Charles calls her “brilliant… destined for world domination,” while SoulTracks hails her as “one of the most exciting soul singers in the world.”

Acantha will be joining us with her band as part of our series of “Soulful Sundays” across Sunday afternoons and early evenings this spring and summer . There will also be DJ sets from Richie Tee and Lee Drummond.

Doors 2pm / Music 3.30pm

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

With Stephen Bailey, Matt Rouse, Mary O’Connell + more TBA

Doors 7pm / Start time 8pm

The word "jazz" implies musicians who listen and interact; people who never play it the same way twice. The Pete Roth Trio has those qualities in abundance, but the group’s music is also something over, around, above, and below jazz. What they play isn’t always going to fit, or be "nice," but it will be great.

They will be joined by a very special guest, Bill Bruford, on drums. Internationally known as a rock musician with prog supergroups Yes and King Crimson, Bill also has impeccable jazz credentials.

Doors 7pm / Music 8pm

Savannah Gardner & The Recovering Good Girls are back having sold out last time at The Bear Club.

A London based band they bend the country music genre to their mighty will - combining blues, honky tonk & gypsy jazz into their big sound while staying rooted in traditional and vintage country music.

The band are selling out venues all over the UK with their hi-energy energy, theatrical show.

Doors 7pm / Music 8.30pm

Billy Marrows is one of the finest guitarists and composers on the London jazz scene today.

The Billy Marrows Band’s vibrantly melodic, groovy and expressive music explores the meeting point between composition and improvisation, creating a fertile playground for these highly inventive musicians. Drawing on grooves from across the globe, they take inspiration from a wide range of styles, including contemporary jazz, funk and progressive jazz.

Their debut album Dancing on Bentwood Chairs is released in February 2026, and this show is part of their album release tour.

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

Imagine Tammy Wynette crossed with The Ventures and you’ll have an idea of the sonic world of Americana artist Stacy Antonel. Always a genre-defying artist, Antonel blends her passion for classic country, jazz and surf rock on her recent EP of covers: The Seahorses Vol. 1. Recorded at Nashville’s Fitting Room Studio, the result is a fresh hybrid of musical styles that feels both vintage and hyper-modern.

She joins with her full UK band.

Doors 7pm / Music 8pm

A warm welcome back to The Bear for Ruby and the Dukes, who gave us a real night to remember earlier this year. This London-based vintage band is a musical force, transporting audiences back to the golden era of the 1940s and 50s with their mix of RnB, rock 'n' roll, blues, rockabilly, and retro swing.

Ruby and the Dukes blend the classics of Ruth Brown, Nina Simone, Etta James, and Bill Haley and the Comets with contemporary hits from artists like Imelda May, Stray Cats, and Postmodern Jukebox.

Doors 7pm / Music 8.30pm

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

Ella Raphael is blessed with an amazing voice; a woozy, bluesy, euphoric sound that’s filled with warmth and emotion. Brought up on Elvis, Ella Fitzgerald and Edith Piaf, her travels have refined that eclectic mix, adding The Shirelles, Julee Cruise, Love, Serge Gainsbourg, Karen Dalton, the original masters of Tropicalia, exotic 50s guitars and the more esoteric sounds of The Beatles.

Expect some or all of the above as she joins us for the first time with her band on what should be an evening of gorgeous blues-tinged music. Highly recommended !

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

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

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

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

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

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

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