OCTOBER 11TH

*10-piece band festival exclusive*

As the Argentina-raised niece of Congolese guitar legend Franco Luambo, Juanita Euka boasts a unique musical palette, fusing her African and Latin heritage to become one of the mainstays in London's vibrant live music scene. Juanita grew up in Buenos Aires, moved to London at 14 and has always been in close proximity of Afro-Peruvian and Afro-Cuban musical cultures, which are embodied in her debut album 'Mabanzo' (Strut Records), a rich and sophisticated palette of  sound inspired by the Cuban 50s, the Congolese 60s and the Brazilian 70s, with a cutting edge, London twist. Her 10-piece band, put together exclusively for the festival, will be directed by her long-time producer, guitarist Greg Sanders, and include the likes of Graeme Flowers on trumpet (Brand New Heavies, Quincy Jones) and Will Fry on percussion (Baaba Maal, Giovanni Hidalgo)

OCTOBER 15TH: TWO SHOWS

*Festival exclusive*

The AfroCuba:Jazz Sessions are a unique staple of the festival, now in their 3^rd volume. This night aims to provide a bridge between (Afro-)Latin musical traditions and the unique, evolving London jazz sound. The festival brings to you an exclusive collaboration directed by Grammy-award winning Cuban percussion virtuoso Hammadi Valdés (Chucho Valdés), where him and his team of world-renowned Afrocuban folklore percussionists share their musical tradition with, on this edition, UK-based trio MATT3RS UNKNOWN.

MATT3RS UNKNOWN is the trio formation of multi-instrumentalist and composer Jonny Enser (Nubiyan Twist)'s debut project. The ensemble features some of the most powerful forces exploring music in the UK; the trio, multitasking to the brink of their abilities, comprises tuba, trumpet, drumkit, drum machine, keyboards, synths and samplers. Each member has different languages for conversing with his compositions, drawing musicians from Emma Jean Thackray, Noya Rao and beyond.

OCTOBER 13TH

Colectiva explores the spaces between Afro-Latin music and Jazz whilst reflecting on themes of sisterhood and female empowerment. Blending wild horn lines with Afro-Latin grooves and experimental textures, Colectiva's thoughtful arrangements are rooted in the sounds of Africa, Latin America and the diaspora, creating a genre they have affectionately dubbed jazz tropicaliente. Winners of the LUKAS Award for Best Alternative Act 2019 and the Yolanda Drake award in 2021, Colectiva infuse feminist activism in their music, message and campaigns, and provide a reimagined take on Latin jazz that reaches far beyond the established rulebook. Their debut single, Under The, has recieved huge global radio plays and support from Jazz FM, Huey Morgan and Nubya Garcia.

with CARLOS TALEZ, ALEPH AGUIAR & more

OCTOBER 12TH

*Festival exclusive*

October 12^th is widely acknowledged as the day Columbus arrived to the Americas, prompting in recent years the celebration of October 12^th as Indigenous Resistance Day. Cuatro player and vocalist Luzmira Zerpa, undisputed queen of South American fusion music in the UK, takes us on an exclusively crafted voyage on this historically loaded day. On this unique show for the London Latin Jazz Fest, Luzmira presents an explorative journey of the stories of South American music, from Afro-Indigenous songs from Venezuela and Colombia, to the rich traditions of the Afrovenezuelan drums, to cutting edge modern day Venezuelan jazz fusion. Rising to international acclaim as frontwoman of Family Atlantica in the early 10's, Luzmira has collaborated with the likes of Mulatu Astatke and Yoruba Andabo, and is also an energy healer, ethnomusicologist and music activist. Accompanied by the likes of virtuoso jazz guitarist Aleph Aguiar and Afro-Venezuelan percussion legend Carlos Tález, Luzmira will be performing a varied repertoire comprising age-old songs, standard repertoire from Venezuelan and Colombian folk as well as some original pieces.