The Jazz Cafe, a world-renowned venue in Camden Town, is taking its unique spirit outdoors once again for the Jazz Cafe Festival. Now in its third year, the festival will be held in Burgess Park, Southwark, on Sunday, August 2, 2026. The lineup, announced this week, features a mix of rising stars and established acts across four stages.
Ari Lennox to Headline
Headlining the festival is soul singer Ari Lennox, hailing from Washington DC. She will perform tracks from her latest album, Vacancy, in what will be her only UK date in 2026. Lennox's soulful voice and captivating stage presence promise an unforgettable experience.
Diverse and Female-Led Lineup
The festival boasts a strong female presence on the main stage. Greentea Peng, a south London artist who debuted in 2016, brings her unique blend of R&B and soul. Jaz Karis, a Brit school graduate influenced by Amy Winehouse, will also perform, combining fuzzy acoustics with a trans-Atlantic sound.
Electronic and DJ Sets
For electronic music fans, Nightmares On Wax (DJ George Evelyn from Leeds) will take over the Four Corners stage with his house music vibes. System Olympia, a female DJ and producer, will also perform, blending trippy synth tracks with futuristic jazz elements.
Festival programmer Ruari Frew commented: "The Jazz Cafe Festival draws on carefully curated programming and unmistakable spirit, reflecting the venue's long-standing legacy of nurturing groundbreaking artists and creating unforgettable live experiences. Blending soulful R&B with boundary-pushing hip-hop and electronic music, the festival will transform Burgess Park into a lively showcase."
The Jazz Cafe originally opened 36 years ago in a former bank in Parkway, Camden Town, and has since become a iconic venue known for its intelligent booking policies across genres like reggae, funk, jazz, hip hop, and soul. The festival extends that legacy into a larger outdoor setting.
