The RNCM presents a stellar line-up of live jazz this autumn

Uniting two giants of modern jazz on one stage, this uniquely special one-off concert sees Branford Marsalis join forces with acclaimed pianist Julian Joseph for a night of extraordinary musical conversation. From his early acclaim as one of jazz’s mercurial prodigies, Marsalis has continually expanded his reach as an instrumentalist, composer, bandleader and educator, shattering through boundaries while maintaining resolute creative integrity. A three-time GRAMMY Award winner with Tony and Emmy nominations to his name, he stands among the most compelling and versatile voices in contemporary music.

Part of the RNCM’s Saxophone Day, his virtuosic collaboration with friend and contemporary Joseph delivers a celebration of curiosity, courage and musical connection, their performance rooted in a shared, enduring commitment to nurturing the next generation of jazz talent.

Bringing the timeless glamour and exuberance of the Great American Songbook to the RNCM on Thu 13 Nov, Sing and Swing is a joyous retrospective spanning the golden age of the form, presented by Jazz at Lincoln Center.

Fronted by one of the scene’s brightest young stars, Benny Benack III, this vibrant show reimagines the totemic partnerships of jazz and popular song – from Ella Fitzgerald and Judy Garland to Bing Crosby, Dean Martin and Peggy Lee – with playful sophistication and irresistible energy.

Featuring the music of Gershwin, Ellington, Cole Porter, Irving Berlin and many more, the concert promises an evening of unbridled, infectious delight, performed by an ensemble of New York’s finest rising talents.

Blending cinematic scope with hard-grooving soul jazz, composer and flautist Gareth Lockrane joins the RNCM Big Band for a rollicking night of bombastic orchestral brilliance. Renowned for his explosive energy, vivid musical imagination and commanding technique, Lockrane is renowned as one of the most distinctive voices in British jazz, with compositions fusing intricate writing with his singular voice and a deep sense of energy and momentum.

Working alongside RNCM students and directed by Iain Dixon, this performance showcases Lockrane’s own compositions and arrangements in all their sophisticated, dynamic glory. Audiences can expect dazzling solos, bold textures and the unmistakable sound of one of British jazz’s most inventive figures.