Brick Lane Jazz Festival announce their Barbican debut with a unique evening led by Theo Croker with special guests, co-curated and styled by Nicholas Daley
The Barbican and local friends Brick Lane Jazz Festival present DREAM MANIFEST: a unique evening led by US-based trumpeter extraordinaire Theo Croker, co-curated by acclaimed fashion designer Nicholas Daley. Bringing together an exploration of soundscapes, style and the global jazz community for a very special night, Theo Croker’s DREAM MANIFEST will see Croker joined on stage at the Barbican by a suite of special guests from the London and international jazz and wider music scenes in February 2025.
A collaborative oratorio about imagination, DREAM MANIFEST explores the power to manifest in our universe. It is a sonic exploration that defies genre while being deeply rooted in tradition. This Barbican presentation of DREAM MANIFEST will also include a retrospective on Croker’s last two full length albums BLK2LIFE : A Future Past (Star People Nation, 2021) and Love Quantum (Star People Nation, 2022).
When performed live, DREAM MANIFEST also sees Croker add the role of DJ to his palette (in addition to the trumpet), performing and manipulating samples from the albums and reassembling elements of the band’s real-time performance to architect a sonic world live on stage.
Renowned for entrancing trumpet melodies and an innovative musical approach, Theo Croker is a standout figure in the contemporary music scene. The grandson of legendary trumpeter Doc Cheatham, Croker continues the legacy, collaborating with a diverse range of musicians, including the likes of Dee Dee Bridgewater, Ari Lennox, J. Cole, Jill Scott and Common, showcasing his versatility across jazz, hip hop, pop, and R&B landscapes.
Croker’s live performances command the stage with an infectious energy that captivates audiences globally. With a Grammy nomination, a memorable Tiny Desk performance, and three recent releases, BLK2LIFE : A Future Past, Love Quantum and Jazz at Berlin Philharmonic XIII: Sketches of Miles, Croker continues to transcend genres, leaving an indelible mark on the evolving landscape of music with each resonant note.
Performers will include a core unit of Idris Frederick (keys), Eric Wheeler (bass), and Miguel Marcel Russell (drums). The performance will be supported with wardrobe and styling by Nicholas Daley renowned for his intricate interplay weaving across music, fashion and culture. Special guests for DREAM MANIFEST will be announced soon.
Produced by the Barbican in association with Brick Lane Jazz Festival find out more here
In April 2025, Brick Lane Jazz Festival will return for its fourth year, with a genre-defying line-up that mirrors the vibrant convergence of London’s thriving underground music scenes. Focused on spotlighting local and emerging talent, the festival brings together artists from jazz, hip-hop, neo-soul, R&B, breakbeat, and electronic music, performing across twelve iconic music venues on and around Brick Lane.
Having firmly established itself as a cornerstone of East London’s cultural landscape, the festival continues to uncover underground jazz gems while drawing in artists making waves on the UK scene, all set against the backdrop of some of the capital’s most renowned cultural hotspots. All festival venues are within a short walk from the central hub at the iconic Truman Brewery space on Brick Lane, transforming the site and surrounding area into a vibrant hive of gig-hopping excitement for three days every April.
Recently announced headliners include new age zen master Laraaji, French-Caribbean soul / funk rising star Adi Oasis and R&B trailblazer and producer-in-demand, Ragz Originale. Elsewhere the festival will feature appearances from rising stars in the jazz scene such as Ife Ogunjobi (winner of this year’s Parliamentary Jazz “Best Newcomer” award) and the Rebecca Vasmant Ensemble, as well as showcasing some of the city’s best electronic and experimental outfits with the likes of Last Nubian, Marysia Osu, and Marla Kether set to play. BLJF will also celebrate global artists with sets from Irish Jamaican artist Rio Rainz, Ukranian harpist Alina Bzhezhinska and Ghanian Dutch artist Bnnyhunna, as well as further spotlighting the ever-expanding R&B / soul crossover scene with performances from Jelani Blackman and Astrønne. The full list of artists and day spits are as follows:
FRIDAY
Ragz Originale — Jelani Blackman — BINA. — Move 78 — Àbáse — Allysha Joy — Last Nubian (Live) — Marla Kether — David Walters — Rio Rainz — ECHT! — Faye Meana — Ari Tsugi — Rohan Rakhit Presents: The Cockney Sikh b2b Kieran Dotwav, Nadī + TBA — Arsen Superfly (DJ set) + MANY MORE TBA
SATURDAY
Adi Oasis — dialE — Afriquoi — Ife Ogunjobi — oreglo — Allysha Joy — Sans Soucis — Bnnyhunna — Liv East — edbl & Jackson Mathod — Rebecca Vasmant Ensemble — Jay Phelps — Close Counters — papaya noon — Tru Thoughts Records Presents: WheelUP, Footshooter & Vimbai, Robert Luis, Lucy Michael & Rhys Baker + MANY MORE TBA
SUNDAY
Laraaji — Gary Crosby’s Groundation — Madison McFerrin — Flock — Jasmine Myra — Ray Lozano — Astrønne — Marysia Osu — Bruno Berle — Alina Bzhezhinska & Tony Kofi — DjeuhDjoah & Lieutenant Nicholson — Sol Paradise — Mark Kavuma — Aldorande + MANY MORE TBA
Early bird tickets for the festival are now on sale with day passes starting from just £29.95, and weekend passes from £89.95. Tickets and more info are available here
