Jazz Cafe Festival 2026 Review
Jazz Cafe Festival 2026 once again proved why it is quickly becoming one of London’s standout day festivals. Taking over Burgess Park for its third edition, the festival brought together soul, jazz, hip hop, R&B and electronic music across four stages, successfully taking the intimate spirit of the legendary Jazz Cafe and giving it a much bigger playground.
The lineup was packed with highlights. Mansur Brown delivered intricate guitar work, blending jazz, rock and electronic textures with serious musicianship, while Gabriel Jacoby brought funk, blues and 2000s inspired energy to the afternoon. Jaz Karis followed with her smooth vocals and soulful melodies, while Amaria added a softer, atmospheric touch. Kofi Stone was one of the biggest surprises of the day, delivering sharp storytelling, jazz infused production and effortless crowd control. By the end of his set, plenty of people were reaching for their phones to find out more about him.
Greentea Peng also owned the Main Stage with her smoky vocals and blend of psychedelic soul, dub and reggae. Her decision to restart a song mid performance only made her feel more in control, while DJ Habibeats turned the festival into a giant international dancefloor, jumping between Arabic club sounds, Punjabi tracks, global pop and electronic music.
Then came the ultimate festival dilemma: Ari Lennox or Smino? Both headliners performed simultaneously, forcing fans into some serious decision making. Ari delivered her rich R&B vocals with a phenomenal live band, while Smino brought explosive energy, rapid fire flows and melodic hooks to the Plant Room. Rocking bright green bunny ears and a vintage Avirex jacket, he was impossible to ignore. A surprise appearance from South London saxophonist Venna added another special moment to an already electric set.
The festival was not without its problems. The blazing sunshine turned Burgess Park into a dust bowl, with clouds of grit covering clothes, faces and probably several lungs. The headliner clash was also a tough one.
Still, the music won. With its adventurous curation, diverse crowd and consistently brilliant performances, Jazz Cafe Festival continues to build its own identity. Bring the artists, bring the dancing shoes and maybe bring a mask next time.
