Spring Jazz Season in Manchester at Stoller Hall

Spring has officially sprung at Stoller Hall - and this season, it’s swinging. Manchester’s jazz scene continues at Stoller Hall this spring, featuring free weekly concerts and headline performances from acclaimed jazz artists.

Free Friday Night Jazz at Stoller Hall

A new free Friday night jazz series in Manchester is being introduced for commuters in 2026, offering an early chance to hear some of the UK’s most exciting emerging jazz talent.

From Friday 9 January to 3 July 2026, the atrium at Stoller Hall will host live jazz in Manchester city centre, directly opposite Victoria station, from 5pm to 7pm. Visitors can unwind with a drink from the bar while enjoying performances from students on the jazz course at Chetham’s School of Music, alongside talented local jazz musicians.

The series is designed to give commuters an alternative to the usual rush-hour routine, encouraging people to relax with live music after work in Manchester. These free jazz gigs in Manchester are open to everyone. Entry is free, the venue is fully accessible, and there is no dress code. 

• Dates: 13 Mar – 24 Apr 2026
• Location: Stoller Hall, Manchester city centre

The Easy Rollers at Stoller Hall

The Easy Rollers are a seven-piece band performing original songs and arrangements inspired by early jazz from 1920s and 1930s Harlem, Kansas City and New Orleans.

Their 2025 album '… And Another Thing' received international critical attention and airplay on BBC Radio 3. 

The group is led by vocalist Dani Sicari, whose singing draws on the style of early performers such as Helen Kane and Ruth Etting. Their performances focus on repertoire from the early decades of jazz alongside the band’s own material.

The Easy Rollers have appeared at festivals including the Manchester Jazz Festival, Cheltenham Jazz Festival, Brecon Jazz Festival and Marsden Jazz Festival, as well as the Buxton International Festival, Lake District Summer Music Festival and the Edinburgh Festival Fringe, where they developed a cabaret-style show presented in annual runs.

Writing in Jazzism, reviewers noted that the band “not only keep the spirit of the Jazz Age alive but also enrich it with a contemporary freshness […] familiar and innovative at the same time.”

Andy Sheppard Trio at Stoller Hall

Saxophonist and composer Andy Sheppard is widely recognised as a significant figure in European contemporary jazz.

This trio brings him together with Italian pianist Rita Marcotulli and French double bassist Michel Benita. Each musician has developed an individual voice within European jazz and has collaborated widely across the international scene.

For this project, Sheppard has written a set of new compositions designed for the trio format. The music provides a clear structural framework while leaving space for interpretation and improvisation. The performance focuses on interaction between the three players, with the material developing through collective exploration and response.

Sheppard has worked with both musicians previously, including a long-standing duo partnership with Rita Marcotulli and several recordings for ECM Records with Michel Benita. This project marks their first collaboration together as a trio.

Line-up

• Andy Sheppard – soprano & tenor saxophone
• Rita Marcotulli – piano
• Michel Benita – double bass

This concert forms part of Manchester Jazz Festival 2026.

Getting to Stoller Hall Manchester

Stoller Hall is located opposite Manchester Victoria station and is easily reached by train, tram, or bus. The venue is fully accessible, and for most events, there is no dress code. Selected concerts are free to attend, making Stoller Hall a central destination for live jazz in Manchester.