Jazz Leeds is a charity set up to support the development of jazz in the region.  We were formerly known as Seven Jazz – the highly successful and popular voluntary jazz promoter based in Chapel Allerton in North Leeds, winner of the national Parliamentary Jazz Award for the best UK Jazz venue.

Jazz Leeds run a busy programme of evening and Sunday afternoon concerts year round with international, national and regional jazz artists. We also teach people to play jazz through our instrumental workshops designed for people who want to learn more about the music. We promote “Jazz Cafe” jam sessions where we encourage people to play and sing with support. Our “Jazz Voices Choir” meet in Inkwell, tutored by Tessa Smith and have performed widely in the city.

We also run the six-day Jazz Leeds Festival in July at city centre venues, including the Wardrobe, the College of Music, Carriageworks and Millennium Square. We also programme the smaller weekend Village Jazz Festival in north Leeds each September – part of the Chapel Allerton Arts Festival.

Our regular year round programme is located at two venues in Chapel Allerton. Seven Arts in Chapel Allerton, a venue with great acoustics and a cafe with a wide range of drinks and food. Our other main venue is the inspirational Inkwell Arts, a centre, an arts space for positive mental health run by Leeds Mind.

Jazz Leeds charity has a board of trustees plus an advisory group of supporters who help with running the events. The people involved are Steve Crocker, Jon Duffield, Phil Green, Jeff Hewer, Rosemary Holmes, Trevor Prinn, Steve Ross, Jami Sheriff and Jean Watson. We are always looking for help – just come to one of our gigs and offer!