From its New Orleans roots to the big-band brilliance of Ellington and Basie and the vocal artistry of Ella Fitzgerald and Sarah Vaughan, Kings Place Jazz Orchestra traces jazz’s changing sound across generations.

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Across the afternoon, the orchestra explores the sounds and styles that have shaped jazz and its evolution into the modern day. Part of Origins Unwrapped, Kings Place’s new series inspired by cultural origins, the concert celebrates a musical tradition continually shaped by reinvention.

Kings Place Jazz Orchestra is a handpicked, project-based ensemble made up of some of the UK’s finest jazz and big band musicians, alongside rising young artists. Founded in 2025, the orchestra was created to bring the powerful, immersive sound of the big band to the heart of Kings Place.

The ensemble hopes to serve as an inspiration for young musicians, opening its doors throughout the year for them to experience the ensemble in the surroundings of Kings Place, Hall One.

Committed to celebrating the depth of jazz tradition while pushing the boundaries of contemporary large ensemble writing, KPJO is set to become a cornerstone of Kings Place’s vibrant musical landscape.

This event will last approximately 1 hour and 50 minutes, including the interval.

Description supplied by the event organiser.