City talent shines as Dundee Jazz Festival announces programme

Dundee Jazz Festival is here to take the autumn blues away, as it announces its programme for November.

Five vibrant days of jazz and blues rooted in the city start on 11 November, as Dundee celebrates its local talent with two special commissions for 2026.
Supported by Creative Scotland’s Expanded Festivals Fund, there are brand new works by
local jazz saxophonist Kimberley Tessa and double bassist Seth Bennett. Each is presenting a concert of brand new original music and songs with a full band. Seth is performing on Friday 13 November at the Verdant Works Museum, while Kimberley is presenting an hour of new music on Saturday 14 November in the Bonar Hall.

John Youngs, CEO of Jazz Scotland, said: “This is a real highlight for this year’s festival, with both musicians living in or from Dundee, and both at the heart of the city’s growing jazz community.

"Seth is assembling a band of Dundee and international musicians in the iconic Verdant Works to explore his relationship with the city, its industrial past and its place in modern Scotland. And Kimberley’s mix of neo-soul jazz, heartfelt melodies and stories shows an honesty in songwriting and craft that belies her age.” 

Battle of the bands

Over the weekend of Dundee Jazz Festival, the city will host its own tribute to the great Big
Band battles of 1930s New York. On Sunday afternoon (15 November), Dundee University Big Band is taking on the Scottish National Youth Jazz Orchestra at 2pm in the Bonar Hall.

With lots more on offer, from workshops to Jazz for Kids, plesae check out dundeejazzfestival.co.uk for all the details - CLICK HERE