The Southend Jazz Festival returns to the city this October and the fourth annual event is set to be bigger than ever.

The week-long celebration of jazz, in all its forms, runs from the 2nd – 8th October, at venues across the city, culminating with the Headline Show, featuring the ‘Godfather of Swing’, Ray Gelato & The Giants, who will be performing at Genting Casino, Westcliff.

The festival brings together the whole Southend Jazz scene, with regular venues and promoters all getting involved, with the festival team putting on a range of special events to really show off what Southend can offer.

There is a total of 23 festival events happening across the week, from live performances to free movie screenings and workshops. The festival is supported by Southend City Council via the Community Investment board and, thanks to this support, the festival is set be even more inclusive and accessible than before. There are subsidised tickets available and more free-to-view events than ever, to ensure everybody can get involved in the celebration.