Newcastle Jazz Festival returns with stellar line-up featuring acclaimed guitarist Ant Law
The Newcastle Jazz Festival is thrilled to announce its return for a spectacular 6th edition on Saturday 20 September 2025, at Live Theatre. This one-day celebration of world-class jazz will showcase an exceptional lineup of national stars and the finest regional talent.
HEADLINER: ANT LAW'S 'UNIFIED THEORIES' QUARTET
Headlining this year's festival is the outstanding London-based guitarist Ant Law and his acclaimed 'Unified Theories' Quartet. Known for pushing the boundaries of contemporary jazz, Ant Law's quartet delivers a unique blend of influences, including jazz, classical, South Indian rhythms, and rock. The group creates intricate harmonies and grooves, offering a fresh perspective on contemporary jazz that has captivated audiences across the UK.
REGIONAL TALENT TAKES CENTER STAGE
The festival proudly showcases the region's finest jazz musicians with captivating performances from:
• Nauta (1pm, The Undercroft) – A dynamic quintet formed in 2023, Nauta blends jazz with folk influences, creating a fresh and improvisational sound. With a growing presence in the North East, they bring their original music to the stage, offering a captivating and unique experience.
• Noel Dennis Trio (2.30pm, The Studio) – Featuring Mark Williams and Andy Champion, this trio delves into be-bop and post-bop, drawing from the styles of Miles Davis and Chet Baker, with deep improvisation and new takes on jazz standards.
• Joe Steels Quartet (5pm, The Studio) – Known for his melodic and innovative guitar playing, Joe Steels leads a quartet that fuses jazz tradition with modern influences, inspired by the likes of Grant Green and John Scofield.
• Ant Law's 'Unified Theories' Quartet (7.30pm, Main Theatre) - Known for pushing the boundaries of contemporary jazz, Ant Law's quartet delivers a unique blend of influences, including jazz, classical, South Indian rhythms, and rock. The group creates intricate harmonies and grooves, offering a fresh perspective on contemporary jazz that has captivated audiences across the UK.
• After Hours Festival Jam (9.30pm, The Undercroft)
NEW VENUE PARTNERSHIP
The Newcastle Jazz Festival is excited to announce its partnership with Live Theatre, one of the region's most respected cultural venues. This collaboration marks an exciting new chapter for the festival, with plans to expand the event in future years. Live Theatre's intimate spaces provide the perfect setting for experiencing world-class jazz in the heart of Newcastle.
TICKET INFORMATION
Tickets are available now through TicketSource, with special discounts for multiple ticket purchases:
• Full Festival Pass (All performances): 15% discount • Afternoon & Evening Sessions: 10% discount • Lunch & Evening Sessions: 10% discount • Lunch & Afternoon Sessions: 5% discount
All tickets include access to the After Hours Festival Jam at 9.30pm in the Undercroft, where festival-goers can enjoy more live music, drinks, and a chance to socialize with artists and fellow jazz enthusiasts.
For more information and to purchase tickets, visit www.newcastlejazzfestival.co.uk or follow the festival on social media @newcastlejazzfest.
