01/10/2026
The Jazz Defenders Live - Thursday 5 November
The Jazz Defenders are back at Palladino’s! Hard bop soul with grit, groove & swagger.
Date: 5 Nov
Doors: 6:30pm
Music Starts: 8:30pm
Tickets: £25
Led by acclaimed UK pianist and composer George Cooper, The Jazz Defenders channel the golden era of Blue Note through a catalogue of entirely original music inspired by the spirit of Horace Silver, Art Blakey and Lee Morgan — without ever sounding like imitation.
Blending soul jazz, hip hop, funk and cinematic influences, their infectious grooves and tight horn lines have electrified stages from Ronnie Scott’s to venues across the UK and Europe.
With two albums reaching the USA Jazz Top 10 and radio support from Jamie Cullum, Lauren Laverne, Craig Charles, Jazz FM and hundreds of stations worldwide, their international profile continues to grow.
George Cooper’s credits include Hans Zimmer, U2, Nigel Kennedy, Omar, Slum Village, MF DOOM and The Brand New Heavies.
🎷 Original jazz. Deep groove. Serious swagger.
The lineup features:
• Jake McMurchie – tenor sax
• Quentin Collins – trumpet
• Will Harris – double/electric bass
• Ian Matthews – drums
• George Cooper – piano/keyboards
Together, The Jazz Defenders turn memory into motion.
“A class act” - The Guardian
“Absolutely storming!” - Jamie Cullum
“Crackles with energy & glistens with skill” - The Observer
“The most exciting British jazz group out there right now” - Music Republic Magazine
Book tickets for an unforgettable evening of soul-jazz with hip hop, funk and cinematic influences.
An intimate jazz & blues bar on Merthyr Road, Cardiff with live music every Thursday — see who's playing and book tickets to upcoming shows.
