Running from November to March, the RNCM’s forthcoming jazz programme once again showcases the institution’s peerless flair for musical experimentation with three concerts spanning virtuosic improvisation, big band exuberance and an inventive classical crossover.
From an intimate saxophone and piano pairing to a festive evening of brass-led brilliance and an interactive recital shaped by audience requests, the season promises a unique celebration of jazz in all its forms.
In December, renowned trumpeter Alexandra Ridout takes the stage alongside the RNCM Big Band, bringing her distinctive musical voice to an evening of sophisticated grooves and invigorating ensemble playing.
Since winning the BBC Young Musician Jazz Award in 2016, Ridout has established herself as a formidable bandleader, composer and collaborator, performing internationally and earning recognition for her assured musicianship.
Her appearance with RNCM musicians promises a lively showcase of tightly arranged big band sound, punctuated by expressive brass and thrilling solos.
As the RNCM welcomes the first suggestions of spring, violinist Elena Urioste and pianist Tom Poster make their Manchester debut with an innovative approach to the traditional recital format.
Their signature live Jukebox experience charts classical miniatures, expressive contemporary works and Poster’s arrangements of Great American Songbook favourites, with a twist: the audience votes on what they would like to hear next, shaping the programme as the evening unfolds.
Selections are set to include music by Fritz Kreisler, Jessie Montgomery, Dora Pejačević and Antonín Dvořák, with Urioste’s radiant tone and Poster’s versatile piano playing promising a recital brimming with spontaneity and intrepid musical spirit.
RNCM, 124 Oxford Road, Manchester, M13 9RD
rncm.ac.uk
- Words:
- Wolf McFarlane
- Published on:
- Fri 30 Oct 2026
Saxophonist and composer Emma Rawicz joins pianist Gwilym Simcock for an exhilarating new collaboration at the RNCM this month, wherein two acclaimed musicians with shared roots at Chetham’s School of Music reunite for an evening of spirited, finely balanced interplay.
Part of RNCM Saxophone Day, the performance draws on original compositions alongside fresh interpretations of the Great American Songbook, offering a glimpse of the pair’s forthcoming debut album.
Billed as ‘the king of playing that sparks immediate excitement’, the concert sees Rawicz’s expressive saxophone lines meet Simcock’s deft, exploratory piano in a set full of melodic invention, rhythmic verve and infectious energy.