In 2007, Simon Cuncliffe-Lister, the owner of Burton Agnes Hall and passionate saxophonist opened the doors of his stately family manor home and hosted a jazz and blues festival.

Fast forward eighteen years, and Burton Agnes Jazz & Blue’s Festival is hailed as a premier, talent packed Northeast event which pulsates with energy and fun.

Sparkling success: Ben Beattie’s After-Midnight Band with Simon Cunliffe-Lister

An addictive showcase for home grown and international talent, as the sun-drenched festival celebrated its landmark ‘coming of age’ party, the crowds devoured a feast of twenty performances across three venues.

The festival has exceeded my expectations. When I look back on my future as a 28-year-old, I always wanted to host a wonderful party with excellent musicians. It’s great that so many people return year after year from far and wide.

Festival Headliners

Jools Holland is among the fans of charismatic saxophonist Tom Waters who regularly performs with the Jools Holland Rhythm and Blues Orchestra.

Recording and performing with fellow legends such as Ronnie Woods, Lulu and Rod Stewart, Tom is also respected further afield having played in Europe, Japan, Australia and New Zealand.

Jools Holland calls him ‘the tops’ and the Burton Agnes audience loved his numbers including ‘Electric People’ from his new album BlOWIN UP and raising the roof with favourites including Chuck Rio’s Tequila.

Connor Selby - one of the most respected singer/songwriters on the UK blues scene - headlined the festival’s first night. He was voted Young Artist of the Year at the UK Blues Awards for three consecutive years in 2020, 2021 and 2022.

His performance included The Truth Comes Out Eventually, a new record which explores themes such as identity, mental health and the power of honesty.

He also features on Mark Knopfler’s Guitar Heroes Charity Single “Going Home: Theme from Local Hero” alongside music legends, Eric Clapton, Jeff Beck, Pete Townsend and Ringo Star.

Summer Vibes

The theme of summer was beautifully captured on a glorious summer day by singer, songwriter, and musician Bryony Jarman-Pinto who delivered numbers including Sunkissed and Love in the Sunshine.

Her work is imbued with personal lyrics and emotions. Feel Those Things, which was composed before the birth of her daughter who was marking her fourth birthday on the day of the performance, struck a chord.

Releasing her second album Below Dawn, her credits include a Jazz FM playlisting, and a live BBC Radio 2 performance as part of Jo Whiley’s BBC Introducing showcase.

New Orleans Influence

When Dom plays the piano magic happens

Transporting the audience to New Orleans with a magical blend of blues, gospel, street and jazz, piano player and songwriter, Dom Pipkin, counts Paloma Faith, Jonathan Ross, Hugh Laurie, David Arnold, and Jamie Cullum among his fans.

A high-profile string of appearances includes the world-famous New Orleans Jazz and Heritage Festival alongside musical legends such as Allen Toussaint and Marcia Ball. He has supported Dr John, Screamin’ Jay Hawkins and the Blind Boys of Alabama.

Dom has also performed for film director, Stanley Kubrik, stars in the Netflix thriller Black Doves and is highly active as an educator, running a New Orleans jam session in London.

Festival Magic

Guitarist and songwriter Greg Brice kicked off the festival’s first full day, his own compositions included Brother, an endearing song about how he missed his brother.
Exquisitely talented, Greg’s intricate fingerstyle guitar and strident electric slide is gaining wide appeal and appreciation. Quite rightly a strong contender in the UK Blues Awards, he clocked up three nominations in 2024.

Another roaring success was Deep Six Blues formed in 2022 by singer-songwriter Si Vix, a lifelong blues aficionado. He recruited members of the local jazz and blues scene to play and record what he calls the Humber Delta blues.

With songs built on spellbinding guitar riffs, driving bass lines, wailing harmonica and passionate vocals that pay homage to legends like Howlin’ Wolf and Robert Johnson, Deep Six Blues serve up a real treat.

Gently easing the audience into Sunday morning saw regular festival performers - jazz guitarist duo of Bolivian Carlos Olmos and Londoner Matt Smith - perform a laid-back mix of Latin American style soul, funk, jazz and blues. The duo played on the Main Stage and in the stately Burton Agnes Hall.

In the Swing

The Bar Tent’s opener on Saturday night was singer, songwriter and guitarist Rob Nicklas who wowed the crowds with a medley of iconic songs and his own work which depicts a gamut of emotions and insights drawn from situations and people he observes.

Likeable, witty and very human, he went down a proverbial storm with numbers included Roll Over Beethoven, Have you ever seen the rain?, and Lazing on a Sunday Afternoon.

The party continued to rock until midnight with regular performers The Alligators, a three-piece electric rhythm 'n' blues band of guitar, bass and drums exuding the styles of Chicago, New Orleans and Texas blues. They were joined on stage by superbly talented saxophonists Simon Cunliffe-Lister and Ben Beattie.

Fitting Finale

One helluva party: Sparkling success: Ben Beattie’s After-Midnight Band with Simon Cunliffe-Lister

Having covered this fabulous festival for many years, the final, eagerly awaited session was a fitting finale for a memorable milestone festival. Energy fueled elated crowds did the conga around Ben Beattie and Simon Cunliffe-Lister who left the stage to join the thong on the grass to see the festival out with a bang.

Stunning backdrop: Burton Agnes gardens

To join the non-stop action for the 2026 Burton Agnes Jazz and Blues festival, click the link here.