Blues, Boogie & Roots, Eclectic Styles, Gypsy Jazz, Hot Club, Manouche, Mainstream Jazz, Swing & Big Band, Traditional & New Orleans Jazz
37th Bude Jazz Festival - September 2026
Bude Jazz Festival:
Where the Town is the Venue and You're Part of the Band!
Forget everything you know about big, impersonal festivals.
- Imagine a place where a whole town comes alive with the sound of jazz, where world-class music flows from cosy pubs, historic hotels, and even the local church, and where every street corner has a story to tell.
- Welcome to the Bude Jazz Festival (1ST - 4TH SEPTEMBER 2026), a four-day celebration where the friendly atmosphere and stunning Cornish seaside are as much a part of the show as the incredible music.
BANDS BOOKED:
Alex Clarke Quintet with Amy Roberts — Bateman Brothers Jazz Band with Maggie Reeday — Café Society Jazz Band — Chris Newman — Dave Vaughan Swingtet — Fugue & Groove Trio — Garden of Joy — Hot Banana — John Maddocks Jazzmen — Milverton Trio — La Vie en Rose — Jeremy Huggett’s Jazz & Boogie & Legacy Bands — K. Grenfell / R. Leach ‘Slide by Slide’ — Kevin Grenfell’s Jazz Giants — Martin Dale Quartet with Amy Roberts / John Hallam — Neil Maya Quartet — Nick Ward’s Jelly Roll Quartet — Paula Jackman’s Jazz Masters — Riviera Ramblers — Jake Leg Jug Band — Roger Mark’s Fiesta Five — Pete Allen Big Jazz Band — Golden Coast Big Band — Hot House Combo — Misfits Swing & Jazz Band — Milvertones — Roaring Twenties Jazz Band — South Devon Big Band — Swing Commanders — Three Good Men — Vintage Jazz Collective — Trevor Whiting with Craig Milverton Trio — Trudgeon’s Trad Jazz Troubadours — Warren James Lonesome Travellers & Skiffle Heroes
Feel the Heartbeat of Real Jazz
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For over 35 years, Bude has been a special gathering place for people who don't just want to see jazz, but to live it.
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It's a festival built on a love for the music, from the infectious rhythms of New Orleans and Dixieland to the smooth sounds of swing and bop.
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This is your chance to get up close and personal with living legends and exciting new talent. Join the daily parade as it dances through the streets, find a spot for the strolling bands, or simply wander from one intimate venue to the next, soaking it all in.
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With so many gigs to choose from, you can tailor your perfect jazz journey.
A Festival That's a Holiday!
- We believe a festival should be a chance to relax and recharge.
- That’s why our venues are all within easy walking distance, nestled in the heart of one of Cornwall's most beautiful and unspoilt seaside towns.
- Your 'stroller' ticket gives you the freedom to explore.
- Spend your mornings taking a dance lesson, your afternoons relaxing on the beach or exploring the dramatic Atlantic coastline, and your evenings immersed in music.
- There are no muddy fields or long queues here, just the fresh sea air, friendly faces, and the freedom to enjoy it all at your own pace.
Join the Bude Jazz Family...
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What makes Bude truly special is its community.
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It’s the friendly chats with fellow music lovers on the hotel patio, the shared joy of a stunning solo, and the feeling of being part of something unique.
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It's a place where artists and audiences mingle, where new friendships are forged over a pint and a great performance, and where everyone is welcome.
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Come and be part of the UK’s most charming and authentic jazz experience.
BAND/ARTISTS GUIDE...
Alex Clarke Quintet with Amy Roberts
A powerhouse collaboration of British Jazz award-winners. Expect bebop, swing, and fiery solos from two of the finest reed players in the business. A true 2026 festival highlight.
Bateman Brothers Jazz Band
The ultimate tribute to the Louis Armstrong All-Stars. High-energy, authentic, and featuring the soulful vocals of Maggie Reeday. Bringing the spirit of Satchmo to the Bude stage.
Cafe Society Jazz Band
Elegant, sophisticated, and perfectly pitched. Bringing the refined atmosphere of the classic 1930s jazz clubs straight to the Cornish coast.
Chris Newman
A master of the fretboard. Whether it’s intricate swing or driving rhythm, Chris brings a world-class touch and 'Pucker' precision to every performance.
Fugee & Groove
Where classical tradition meets the spirit of improvisation. Led by pianist Richard Hughes, this inventive trio re-imagines the works of Bach, Mozart, and Chopin through the lens of driving swing and soulful jazz. Expect familiar melodies "brilliantly disguised" with virtuosic interplay and high-energy grooves. A truly unique festival highlight that explores the best of both musical worlds.
Jake Leg Jug Band
Bringing the authentic sounds of 1920s and 30s America. From Jazz and Blues to Gospel and Ragtime, they deliver songs of murder, betrayal, and redemption with a unique, 'Good-Time' twist.
Kevin Grenfell's Jazz Giants
An internationally renowned showman leads a hand-picked ensemble of Europe’s finest. High-level Swing, Jazz, and Boogie-Woogie delivered with world-class musicianship and a signature side of humour.
Martin Dale Quartet
Led by the charismatic 'Saxophone Supremo' of the South West. A powerhouse of bebop and mainstream jazz, Martin Dale brings a distinctive, Ronnie Scott-esque flair to every performance.
Trudgeon's Trad Jazz Troubadours
A cross-generational collective dedicated to the authentic preservation of 1920s and 30s New Orleans traditions. Expect raw, 'one-mic' energy and swinging swagger from the finest jazz talent in the region.
The Swing Commanders
The ultimate festival entertainers! A high-energy blend of 1940s classics, western swing, and boogie-woogie. Every member sings and plays multiple instruments in a show that is wildly entertaining and technically precise.
TICKETS ON SALE and moving fast.
Are you booked?
Time to get fast or furious!
- Address: Falcon Hotel, Bude, Cornwall, EX23 8SD, UK
- Email: https://www.budejazzfestival.info/get-in-touch