Camilla George leads exciting Spiegeltent jazz programme

Award-winning saxophonist, composer and bandleader Camilla George brings a thrilling jazz programme to Harrogate this summer.

Camilla George (credit Daniel Adhami)

The acclaimed musician, winner of Best Jazz Act at the Urban Music Awards in 2023, is Guest Curator of this year’s Spiegeltent, which returns this month.

The Spiegeltent Festival 2026 – in association with Ogden of Harrogate, one of the country’s best known family jewellers – runs from 25 June to 4 July in Crescent Gardens, featuring an irresistible programme of cabaret, jazz, rock, burlesque, dance and much more.

The Nigerian-born British star, renowned for weaving together African and Western musical traditions and a leading figure in London’s jazz scene, will perform at the Spiegeltent on 3 July, when she and her band will play music from her most recent album, Ibio-Ibio.

Harrogate International Festivals has played host to some of the most iconic names in jazz including Oscar Petersen, Humphrey Lyttelton and Wynton Marsalis, and this year’s music programme includes no shortage of exciting stars.

Lucy-Anne Daniels (credit Karolina Wielocha)

As Guest Curator, Camilla has created an eclectic line-up, including Lucy-Anne Daniels, who is blazing a trail in the UK Jazz scene and beyond.

Daniels has performed at the Royal Albert Hall, where she commanded the stage during the BBC Proms, and is a frequent performer at the legendary Ronnie Scotts where she made her debut, aged just 16.

Praised for her effortless musicality and with “a voice mature beyond her years” (The Scotsman), the 23-year-old will bring drama, humour and intimacy to the Spiegeltent on 2 July, when she will also be playing unreleased music from her upcoming album.

Supporting are pianist Alex Ho and alto saxophonist Donovan Haffner, named Jazz Newcomer of the Year in this year’s UK Parliamentary Jazz Awards.

Jess Gillam (Credit Robin Clewley)

Also appearing in the Spiegeltent is the magnetic Jess Gillam Trio. The group is led by celebrated saxophonist Jess Gillam, who has performed on some of the world’s greatest stages since becoming the youngest ever soloist to perform at the Last Night of the Proms at the Royal Albert Hall.

Jess is a Classic BRIT Award winner and was awarded an MBE in the Queen’s Birthday Honours list 2021 for Services to Music.

The Trio’s Harrogate programme intersperses lesser-known repertoire with fresh takes on some firm favourites, from music by composers such as Sidney Bechet and Barbara Thompson, to Baroque energy from Corelli and Telemann and joyous Gershwin.

As part of its 60^th anniversary celebrations this year, Harrogate International Festivals is embarking on a series of exciting new partnerships including with Tomorrow’s Warriors, a pioneering charity helping aspiring young artists from diverse backgrounds achieve their creative ambitions.

For Camilla George, an alumnus of Tomorrow’s Warriors, it makes her role as Guest Curator in Harrogate even more special.

Camilla said: “I am so excited to be this year’s guest curator. It is a huge honour and I am looking forward to bringing a fantastic programme of music to Harrogate!

“We will be showcasing some amazing musicians as well as shining a light on the fantastic work that Tomorrow’s Warriors have been doing which has truly changed the face of UK jazz. It’s going to be an unmissable Festival!”

To book, visit the Harrogate International Festivals website at harrogateinternationalfestivals.com or call the Box Office on 01423 562 303