Celebrate the Birmingham Jazz & Blues Festival 2026 with Birmingham Museums Trust

Join us as we celebrate the 42nd year of the Birmingham Jazz & Blues Festival with a series of pop-up performances across six of our sites. Experience live music in our iconic spaces and discover jazz in some of Birmingham's most beautiful locations.

Our jazz performance at BMAG is free of charge. Join us in the Edwardian Tea Rooms from 1-3pm.

BRUCE ADAMS
Bruce Adams’ spectacular technique and ferocity of attack have made him an indispensable part of Birmingham Jazz Festivals. In the last couple of years, Bruce’s legendary richness of tone has been enhanced by his partnership with Eclipse Trumpets, providing him with a trumpet, a flugel and a cornet.
In a long freelance career, Bruce has worked with many of the greats from both sides of the Atlantic, with Birmingham fans treasuring the memory of his high-note wizardry with Kenny Baker’s Dozen. After getting his first trumpet at the age of 11 in 1962, five months later he did his first gig and three years later appeared on Opportunity Knocks, sponsored by trumpet great Nat Gonella.
In the 1980s, Bruce became a regular at Edinburgh Jazz Festival, playing with such American stars as Harry Edison, Warren Vache, Buddy Tate, Al Cohn, Bill Allred, Dick Hyman, Art Hodes and many others. Since then, he has been the first call for innumerable big bands as well as being a high-powered soloist in his own right. His association with Alan Barnes has lasted for over 30 years, and he is also remembered in Birmingham for his dynamic high-note performances with Kenny Baker’s Dozen. At this year’s Festival, Bruce is appearing with a quartet and as part of the line-up for Lady Sings the Blues.

Full Programme

Friday 24th July, 7:30pm
Jazz at the Museum Collection Centre, in the Transport Gallery

Wednesday 29th July, 1-3pm
Jazz at Thinktank, Level 0 

Thursday 30th July 1-3pm
Jazz at Blakesley Hall, in the Gallery

Friday 31st July, 6-9pm
Twilight Jazz at Aston Hall, inside the Hall

Saturday 1st August, 1-3pm
Jazz at Sarehole Mill, in the Courtyard

Sunday 2nd August, 1-3pm
Jazz at the Birmingham Museum & Art Gallery, in the Tearoom