The spectacular opening gala of the EFG London Jazz Festival returns with a dazzling line-up of soloists, joined by EFG London Jazz Festival Orchestra celebrating the joy and power of song. 

The conductor and arranger Guy Barker is joined by Peter Edwards this year as a special guest conductor and there will be many surprises along the way.

From jazz soloist and sideman, through bandleader, composer and latterly one of the most in-demand arrangers in Europe, Guy Barker has been described as "that rare thing - a brilliant soloist, a born leader and a generous accompanist. He can play so your heart breaks or your head swivels” (Anthony Minghella). Peter Edwards is a composer, pianist and musical director whose "guileless, soulful music…[is] full of emphatic chording, Latin grooves and romantic, cinematic themes" (Guardian). He composes for stage and screen, directs the Nu Civilisation Orchestra, leads his own trio and has worked with diverse roster of artists within a variety disciplines.

This year the star-studded Jazz Voice will be celebrating the music of iconic tastemaker labels from Motown to Concorde and Blue Note to Impulse which introduced great artists and genres to the scene…Showcasing Soul music, jazz infused contemporary RnB, epic jazz songs and funk, nothing is off limits!

The glitzy line-up of soloists will feature Marisa Monte, Damian Lewis, Carmen Lundy, Veronica Swift, Tony Momrelle, Cherise, Lucy-Anne Daniels, Kyra and IAMTHELIVING,

This spectacular show will be hosted by Jumoké Fashola.