Europe’s Grassroots Jazz Festival

After Brexit, many UK musicians found touring in Europe nearly impossible. Visas, carnets and new regulations created barriers that hit small acts hardest. The Soho Jazz Festival team decided to act. They began forming partnerships with independent jazz festivals across Europe to coordinate programming and share artists. The goal is to build touring routes that cut through red tape.

By aligning schedules and sharing resources, a trumpet player from Paris could perform in Soho, Copenhagen and Barcelona within a single tour. Artists save costs, venues share audiences and European jazz strengthens its network. This initiative, called Europe’s Grassroots Jazz Festival, champions collaboration over competition. It allows festivals to maintain their local identity while joining forces for mobility and promotion.

Venues across Soho are already planning upgrades and collaborations. The festival’s partnership with the Soho Business Alliance continues, protecting the neighbourhood’s cultural fabric. Expect new crossovers between jazz, photography, film and digital experiences. The Roblox Soho Jazz Café will expand with live-streamed performances linking virtual and physical spaces.

Soho’s leadership in this movement comes naturally. Its model already focuses on emerging artists and fair pay. Extending that ethos across borders is a logical evolution. The partnership conversations for 2026 and beyond include festivals in France, Spain and the Netherlands. Together they hope to create a connected calendar of events that revives the touring culture once taken for granted.

In a time when international cooperation often feels distant, Europe’s Grassroots Jazz Festival is a reminder that music has always travelled freely. The sound of jazz will continue to cross borders, one collaboration at a time.