A gig followed by a late-night curry on Brick Lane was a ritual of the hipsters at the turn of the century. It still is. Brick Lane, the beating heart of East London’s culture and creativity has always buzzed with the noise and warmth of human commerce. Originally East London’s epicentre of trade, craft and production, it’s the openheartedness of Brick Lane’s denizens that has historically attracted several migrant communities who have all left their mark. Visitors are swarm to the eclectic art galleries, boutiques, music venues, international food offerings and street art characterized by the iconic cobblestone and crumbling brick walls of a Dickensian-London. The Mothership of this creative hub is the Truman Brewery and this year it was host to the inaugural Brick Lane Jazz Festival.

At the helm of this new London festival is Juliet Kennedy, the iconoclastic Creative Director of the Truman Brewery, who herself was a musician before she began curating the myriad music institutions that populate the site. Kennedy hails from a dynasty of creative genius: the niece of Mark Knopfler OBE of Dire Straits and the sister of, Lulu Kennedy MBE, the Founder of Fashion East, a non-profit organisation responsible for incubating talent whose alumni boasts designers including Jonathan Saunders, Roksanda Ilincic and Henry Holland.

When Juliet first brought bring jazz to the Truman Brewery, she soon discovered that this genre is about so much more than the music: community was central to London’s jazz scene. She learned jazz musicians all play with each other in multiple bands, even some of the highest paid solo artists will play a backing instrument for their friend’s novis outfit and it was that spider-web network of support for each other which captivated her and identifies with the ethos of Brick Lane. In that vein, Juliet defined the event as being the only jazz festival which has just one host venue; and it is having this central location which generates a more immersive and flowing festival experience in an urban setting.

When you think of jazz, the likes of Miles Davis, Ella Fitzgerald and Louis Armstrong probably come to mind. However, the Brick Lane Jazz Festival steers away from Jazz Standard, pioneering the more progressive forms. Whilst the rich heritage of jazz is acknowledged by featuring up-and-coming artists from the more traditional free jazzgenre, the Brick Lane Jazz Festival authentically reflects London’s jazz scene in it’s living form today. Expect cross-genre music, fusing Afrobeats with Cuban rhythms, broken beat, jazz rap, neo soul and more. The line-up bubbles with originality, is relevant and ground-breaking. Duke Ellington – a founding father of jazz – said: “if music is agreeable to my ear, why does it have to have a category? It either sounds good or it doesn’t”. More recently, jazz giant of the modern age, Theo Croker said: “Jazz is dead”. Anticipate a disruption of your of pre-conceptions of jazz and expect to hear music which you have never heard before. Some music will lack a melody that may make you feel uncomfortable and some artists will introduce a mind-blowing beat that will resonate with you for days after. Above all, guests are assured to be entertained and enlightened.

All seven venues at the Truman Brewery have their own distinctive character. Ninety One Living Room, is an intimate and chic lounge and is the original host jazz venue here. It’s low ceilings, pink velvet stage curtain and smouldering low light emulate that exclusive, speakeasy quality of a jazz bar that feels alluring; washing away the dust of everyday life in one sexy swig of a whiskey sour. Juju’s, a cavernous warehouse lined with exposed brick and a trade-mark East London mural on the back wall is the largest venue where a rotation local artists exhibit their work along side the music program, demonstrating the commitment the Truman Brewery has to fostering the arts. The Werkhaus is the trademark nightclub with an exceptional sound system; the edgy and dissolute little sister in the Truman Brewery family.

Amongst the smell of spices, cigarette smoke and sounds of jazz are a number of salubrious dwellings near Brick Lane. One Hundred Shoreditch stands out as the principal choice of accommodation. The Rooftop offers panoramic views of the City and pays homage to Palm Springs in it’s bright, Californian design a soft pink pastel palette, decorated with succulents. The gym is equipped with Peloton bikes and they are available to use in the room, on request. All ‘studios’ have hybrid work and dining spaces, artwork by Jacu Strauss on the walls and DS & Durga bathroom products will keep you feeling fresh. For something a little more intimate, The Boundary on Redchurch Street is a modern boutique hotel with seventeen bedrooms in contrasting designs. The David Tang Suite – look no further for who designed it – demonstrates opulence with a 1930s Shanghainese-twist.

For sustenance you can find Michelin-star-level food at The Clove Club on the site of the old Shoreditch Town Hall. You can expect their seasonal tasting menu to feature the best of British seafood and game and organic vegetables delivered in an innovative and elegant way. Lyan Cub is the passion project of Mr Lyan a big name in East London hospitality, Doug McMaster (founder of zero waste restaurant Silo) as well as Belvedere, LVMH and Krug Champagne. This is a refreshing, modern twist on fine dining with a sustainability at it’s heart. For a more familiar menu, Bistrotheque on offers well-known French favourites executed to perfection including oysters, confit duck, steak tartar and bouillabaisse. For a stalwart British institution, the Hawksmoor Bar and Grill for an excellent steak is just a 5 min walk away.

In it’s inaugural year The Brick Lane Jazz Festival attendee numbers were double what they had anticipated. It is expecting around 8000 attendees in it’s second year, showcasing over fifty acts over a three day weekend in April 2023. Look out for Goya Gumbani a London based US jazz-rap artist and Colectiva an all female band who are tipped to dazzle; and don’t miss the grand finale of the festival with the NU Civilisation Orchestra. Jazz was born out of the removal of obstacles and represented freedom for so many. The Brick Lane Jazz Festival is the embodiment of today’s jazz, in a part of the City which has always honoured diversity, culture and the arts. It’s London festival where two great institutions meet, and there is a lot to celebrate.