Kings Place today [17 July] announced the launch of their new resident ensemble, Kings Place Jazz Orchestra (KPJO), directed by award-winning composer, arranger and trombonist Callum Au. KPJO is a handpicked, project-based ensemble, made up of the UK’s finest jazz and big band musicians, alongside rising-star young artists. The ensemble hopes to serve as an inspiration for young musicians, opening its doors throughout the year to experience the ensemble in the surroundings of Kings Place’s Hall One. It is set to become a cornerstone of Kings Place’s commitment to both celebrating the depth of jazz tradition and pushing the boundaries of contemporary large ensemble writing. KPJO’s debut performance on 2 November will celebrate George Gershwin’s music, reimagined through the voices of jazz legends such as Miles Davis, Count Basie and Duke Ellington, culminating in a new arrangement of Rhapsody in Blue by Callum Au.
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Kings Place Jazz Orchestra, founded in 2025 by Callum Au (Creative Director), Hannah Hutton (Producer), and Sam McShane (Artistic Director, Kings Place) (c) Carlo Anghel-Haltrich
Callum Au, Creative Director, says: “I’m tremendously excited to be the Creative Director of the newly formed KPJO. Having a top-flight large jazz ensemble with a dedicated home is an enormous responsibility and privilege. We have a spectacular programme of concerts lined up over the next year, featuring many of the finest musicians I’ve had the privilege of working with, from UK jazz stalwarts to rising stars.’’
Sam McShane, Artistic Director of Kings Place, says: “This autumn, we’re proud to present a wide-ranging jazz programme that reflects Kings Place’s commitment to artistic excellence, adventurous programming and community building. The debut of the Kings Place Jazz Orchestra, under the direction of the remarkable Callum Au, marks a major milestone for us – a new cornerstone for large ensemble jazz in the UK. We’re also thrilled to welcome back the incomparable Michael Mwenso with his specially curated series, Soul Assembly, a powerful new series that places music, conversation and community at its heart. From Julian Joseph and Zoe Rahman championing the next generation of pianists, to the inaugural Polish Jazz Festival and standout performances by artists including Quercus, Ian Shaw, and Sultan Stevenson, this season shines a light on the rich spectrum of jazz today. We look forward to welcoming audiences old and new to be part of these inspiring musical journeys.”
Kings Place continues its commitment to jazz with 13 jazz shows between September and December. Emmy Award-winning creator, bandleader and creative artist Michael Mwenso returns to Kings Place as a guest curator of Soul Assembly, a new series where music meets conversation, and community comes alive, starting with a celebration of Miles Davis with Jay Phelps and Ammar Kalia who will share the stage to perform, talk, reflect and connect with the audience [3 Oct]. Mwenso then presents a family ancestral listening event, Sisters of Soul, celebrating great women in song, guiding the audience through an interactive listening journey as well as a special performance led by tenor saxophonist and Musical Director Ruben Fox [16 Nov]. This is followed by a Christmas show with Michael Mwenso and the Shakes, Funky Soulful Christmas, featuring thrilling new arrangements of holiday favourites and some original anthemic music [18 Dec].
Kings Place is hosting two performances as part of the inaugural Polish Jazz Festival. The Marcin Wasilewski Trio – considered one of the most important jazz groups from Poland – bring their signature blend of tradition and modernity for their Kings Place debut [15 Sept], and trumpeter Piotr Wojtasik performs an intimate Hall Two show with his Quintet [27 Sept].
Australian jazz guitarist Frank Gambale brings his ‘All-Star’ Group to Kings Place, starring bassist Federico Malaman, Yoann Schmidt on drums and Jerry Leonide on keyboard, who will be joined by pianist and composer Andrew McCormack [5 Oct]. Julian Joseph and Zoe Rahman headline an evening at the London Piano Festival to celebrate the future of jazz, sharing the stage with the talent of tomorrow for performances, collaboration and mentorship [12 Oct].
Other jazz highlights in the autumn include Jack Jennings and Omar Puente launching their new album Allied with Nature [17 Oct], June Tabor, Iain Ballamy and Huw Warren performing together as Quercus, sharing original compositions, traditional folk songs and reclaimed standards [19 Oct] and Sultan Stevenson – one of the most exciting young jazz musicians in London – returning to Kings Place with his trio [31 Oct]. The Terje Isungset Ice Quartet perform with their ensemble of voice, ice harp, ice horn, iceophone, ice percussion and ice bass following their sold-out show in 2021 [23 Nov], and Ian Shaw reimagines Sondheim’s iconic songs through a jazz lens [27 Nov].
