Southampton’s Jazz Story sells out Mayflower Studios with a powerful celebration of the city’s jazz heritage

Southampton, 20 October 2025 – Southampton’s Jazz Story brought the house down at MAST Mayflower Studios on Saturday night, with a sold-out audience treated to an unforgettable celebration of the city’s deep connection with jazz and its place in the evolution of the genre in the UK.

Presented by Southampton Forward in partnership with Black History Month South, this one-night-only production celebrated how jazz in Southampton – shaped by its role as a global port — has reflected the city’s spirit of migration, cultural exchange and creativity for over a century.

Hosted and narrated by Grammy Award-winning writer and producer Mykaell S. Riley, the show brought history vividly to life through live music, storytelling and rare archive footage. Under the musical direction of Peter Edwards, a 12-piece house band delivered an exhilarating performance alongside seven remarkable vocalists – from internationally acclaimed names to exceptional Southampton talent.

Highlights included spellbinding performances from Claire Martin OBE and David McAlmont, whose vocals drew standing ovations, while Jay Phelps’s electrifying trumpet solos were a masterclass in contemporary jazz brilliance. Rising local stars Isla Croll and CJ Edwards shone alongside the soulful Queenie, performing reimagined works by Louis Armstrong, Duke Ellington, Ella Fitzgerald, Charles Mingus and Count Basie, as well as tributes to British and Caribbean pioneers Cleo Laine, John Dankworth and Joe Harriott.

The evening reached a joyful climax when the full band and all seven vocalists returned to the stage for Peter Edwards’s high-energy arrangement of Louis Armstrong’s When the Saints Go Marching In. The rousing finale brought the story of jazz and the city full circle – a fitting nod to Southampton’s most famous anthem and the pride of its football club, the Saints. The audience were clapping and singing along in a jubilant celebration of music, memory and local identity.

Claire Whitaker CBE, CEO of Southampton Forward, said:

“Southampton’s Jazz Story was something truly special – a sold-out celebration that brought together extraordinary musicians and an audience united by pride in this city’s unique cultural heritage. The project began as the creative vision of Don John and Black History Month South, whose input have been instrumental in uncovering Southampton’s jazz legacy and bringing this story to life.

None of it would have been possible without the incredible collaboration between our partners and supporters – from national funders and passionate donors to the local venues and individuals who share our love for this story. Our heartfelt thanks go to Cole Mathieson and the Concorde Club, Turner Sims and Kevin Appleby, and Mayflower Theatre, whose commitment and collaboration helped make this project a resounding success.”

Don John, founder of Black History Month South and co-creator of the project, added:

“This was a moving and joyful celebration of how jazz helped shape Southampton’s identity. It gave long-overdue recognition to the musicians and communities who made this city such an important part of Britain’s jazz story.”

The event was supported by Arts Council England, the National Lottery Heritage Fund, People’s Postcode Lottery, the Hollick Family Foundation and the Mark Allen Foundation, alongside Southampton Forward’s founding city partners – Southampton City Council, University of Southampton, Solent University, GO! Southampton, Paris Smith and Mayflower Theatre.

ENDS

For further information or images, please contact:
Becky Lewis – Lee Peck Media
✉️ becky@leepeckmedia.com