Girton Jazz is a unique programme amongst Cambridge Colleges that gives students an incredible opportunity to develop skills and abilities in jazz music performance. Adding to our already flourishing musical life, Girton Jazz makes Girton College the place to be for students who want to enjoy and develop in playing jazz, whether they study music or not.
Termly workshops and concerts are at the forefront of this scheme. Each led by renowned jazz musicians from the UK and beyond, the workshops allow students enviable access to an artist who will work with them for an afternoon to hone skills and inspire them towards further development in jazz performance and study. Workshops are open to students of appropriate ability, whatever your academic focus may be.
At the evening concerts, visiting artists perform with other professional jazz musicians for Girton members and the general public. In the historic setting of Girton’s Old Hall, where Girton has hosted Cambridge Jazz Festival gigs and other jazz events, these concerts are a wonderful opportunity to hear our visiting musicians give their all to their art.
With these workshops and concerts spearheading the programme, Girton Jazz resources jazz throughout College in many ways, supporting students in their own jazz performance and making links that will have a big impact on musical development.
Girton also has a jazz musician in residence – pianist extraordinaire and artistic director of Ronnie Scott’s jazz club in Soho, James Pearson, who is also involved in the Girton Jazz. The Girton Jazz scheme is directed by Rev’d Dr Tim Boniface – College Chaplain and professional jazz musician.
Girton is the place to be for jazz in Cambridge!
Upcoming concerts
Tony Kofi
9 May 2025
Tony Kofi is a British Jazz multi-instrumentalist born of Ghanaian parents, a player of the Alto, Baritone, Soprano, Tenor saxophones and flute. Having 'cut his teeth' in the “Jazz Warriors” of the early 90’s, award-winning saxophonist Tony Kofi has gone on to establish himself as a musician, teacher and composer of some authority. As well as performing and recording with Gary Crosby's “NuTroop” and “Jazz Jamaica”, Tony’s playing has also been a feature of many bands and artists he has worked/recorded with include “US-3” The World Saxophone Quartet, Courtney Pine, Donald Byrd, Eddie Henderson, The David Murray Big Band, Sam Rivers Rivbe Big band, Andrew Hill Big Band, Abdullah Ibrahim, Macy Gray, Julian Joseph Big band, Harry Connick JR, Byron Wallen's Indigo, Jamaaladeen Tacuma's Coltrane Configurations and Ornette Coleman.
Polly Gibbons
7 November 2025
Kicking off the second academic year of Girton Jazz is acclaimed jazz and soul vocalist Polly Gibbons. A true star of the UK scene, Suffolk-born Polly was also based in the US for a number of years, recording three albums with LA based Resonance Records before returning to the UK to release her album of original songs, 'As It Is'. "Polly Gibbons is unmistakably a class act" (The Guardian); "A truly exceptional talent... a voice of such sizzling intensity and raw emotion you could fry an egg on it." Polly is a long time collaborator with pianist and Girton Jazz Musician in Residence James Pearson, who will join her alongisde other members of her band.
Past visiting artists
Saxophonist Trish Clowes and pianist Ross Stanley have been carefully crafting their unique sound world over a number of years, performing their own material, arrangements of music from jazz, folk and church organ traditions, and free improvisations. The duo’s appearances include Wigmore Hall, Queen Elizabeth Hall, Royal Festival Hall (with Stanley making use of the organ), Galway Jazz Festival, Symphony Hall (Birmingham), Buxton International Festival, Manchester Jazz Festival, and St George’s Bristol. In March 2024, Clowes and Stanley released their album ‘Journey to Where’ to wide critical acclaim, out on Stoney Lane Records.
Image by Chris Kelly.
Girton Jazz launched with a spectacular workshop and concert with Natalie Williams. Undisputed darling of Ronnie Scott's Jazz Club, Natalie is a veteran of the British music sphere. Since beginning her residency during the re-opening of the Club in 2007, the vocalist and songwriter has enjoyed a rich, varied music career, garnering awards and devoted fans along the way. Most successful vocalists coming out of the UK are on familiar terms with the influential musician.
“…People can’t help but go away with a bit of Williams’ natural sparkle having attached itself to them”
— Deuce