The Midhurst Jazz, Food & Blues Festival (MJFBF) has announced strong early demand for the first events in its newly launched year-round programme, with nearly 70% of tickets already sold across its first three May events just days after going on sale.
The rapid response follows the festival’s recent announcement that it would evolve into a permanent year-round cultural programme across Midhurst, after attracting more than 5,500 visitors during its debut festival. Since launching the new programme last week, organisers say ticket sales and membership uptake have exceeded expectations, signalling growing appetite for regular live music and cultural experiences in the town.
The first run of events introduces three of the festival’s new recurring formats – each designed around a different atmosphere, venue and way of experiencing live music.
The programme opens on Wednesday 20th May with the launch of “The Jam Sessions” upstairs at The Wheatsheaf. Led by legendary drummer Vince Dunn alongside Chris Neill on keys and Jazzy Ron on bass, the night invites musicians of all abilities to join an unrehearsed live jam alongside guest and local players. Designed to be raw, spontaneous and collaborative, the sessions aim to recreate the spirit of classic jazz and blues jam nights, with Fratelli’s famous pizzas available with 25% off before 7.30pm.
The following evening sees the debut of “The Sofa Sessions” at The Lion’s Den Café, opening with acclaimed drummer and bandleader Sam Kelly’s Station House. Kelly’s career spans four decades working with artists including Robert Plant, Chaka Khan, Dr John, Gary Moore, Ben E. King and Imelda May, while Station House has built a reputation for its groove-heavy fusion of blues, funk, soul and New Orleans influences. The Sofa Sessions format transforms the café into an intimate listening space, with audiences gathered close to the performers and no separation between artist and crowd.
The month concludes on Sunday 31st May with the first “Sunday Tea Party” at Kemaelli’s, featuring vocalist Karen Whittingham. Designed as a slower, more relaxed end to the weekend, the Tea Parties pair jazz, blues and American Songbook repertoire with tea, cake and informal Sunday afternoon atmosphere. Whittingham, a familiar figure on the West Sussex jazz circuit, brings a repertoire spanning jazz, soul, Motown and classic popular music.
Festival Director Adam Page said: “The response to these first events has genuinely surprised us. We knew there was excitement after the festival itself, but to see people immediately engage with these new formats – and memberships as well – tells us there’s a real appetite for something ongoing here.
“What’s important is that these aren’t just gigs. Each format has its own personality and atmosphere. The Jam Sessions are chaotic and collaborative in the best possible way. The Sofa Sessions are intimate and immersive. The Tea Parties are about slowing things down and ending the weekend properly.
“We want people to start discovering music differently – not just following artists, but following experiences.”
Alongside ticket sales, the festival has also reported strong early interest in its newly launched membership offering, which provides discounted tickets, priority booking and access to exclusive events and updates throughout the year.
Additional events across the programme will continue throughout the summer, including Cellar Sessions at Fairview Wines, Half Note Club evenings at Fratelli’s, Langham Sessions at Langham Brewery and quarterly Vinyl Fairs at The Old Library.
The flagship Midhurst Jazz, Food & Blues Festival will return in November 2026.
Further information and tickets are available online.
Photo: Karen Whittingham
