About Us
About Us
About Us
A festival by local residents, for those in the neighbourhood and beyond. United by our passion for music and community, we are delighted to have found supporters, cheerleaders and a community who are helping us build the De Beauvoir Jazz Festival.
Our inaugural edition took place in July 2025.
We're a not-for-profit independent festival focused on ensuring a minimal footprint & low environmental impact.
A festival by local residents, for those in the neighbourhood and beyond. United by our passion for music and community, we are delighted to have found supporters, cheerleaders and a community who are helping us build the De Beauvoir Jazz Festival.
Our inaugural edition took place in 2025 and this year's is planned on 10-11th July.
We're a not-for-profit independent festival focused on ensuring a minimal footprint & low environmental impact.
We see jazz not as an exclusive art form, but as an inspiring, unifying force. Captivated by New Orleans' vibrant culture, we aim to infuse London with that same spirit of joy, creativity, and togetherness year after year.
We see jazz not as an exclusive art form, but as an inspiring, unifying force. Captivated by New Orleans' vibrant culture, we aim to infuse London with that same spirit of joy, creativity, and togetherness year after year.
We see jazz not as an exclusive art form, but as an inspiring, unifying force. Captivated by New Orleans' vibrant culture, we aim to infuse London with that same spirit of joy, creativity, and togetherness year after year.
Our Team
Our Team
Payal Wadhwa | Founder
Payal Wadhwa | Founder
Designer, urbanist and placemaking practitioner based in De Beauvoir. Former Head of frog design as well as the Cities Lab at Fjord (Accenture Song). Co-founder of Placelabs, with 20+ years’ experience leading programmes across culture, civic innovation and digital ventures.
Designer, urbanist and placemaking practitioner based in De Beauvoir. Former Head of frog design as well as the Cities Lab at Fjord (Accenture Song). Co-founder of Placelabs, with 20+ years’ experience leading programmes across culture, civic innovation and digital ventures.
Building the Festival : long read
Pete Horsfall |
Artistic Director
Pete Horsfall |
Artistic Director
Award-winning jazz trumpeter and vocalist. Internationally recognised performer and educator, with appearances at the Royal Albert Hall, Lincoln Centre, North Sea Jazz Festival and Glastonbury amongst others.
Award-winning jazz trumpeter and vocalist. Internationally recognised performer and educator, with appearances at the Royal Albert Hall, Lincoln Centre, North Sea Jazz Festival and Glastonbury amongst others.
Festival Champions
Dinesh Markose
Dinesh Markose
Dinesh Markose
A lifelong jazz supporter, and a quant analyst in the City. Supports funding strategy, corporate relationships and partnerships, helping ensure the festival remains accessible
A lifelong jazz supporter, and a quant analyst in the City. Supports funding strategy, corporate relationships and partnerships, helping ensure the festival remains accessible
Festival Champions!
Gillian Da Costa
Gillian Da Costa
Gillian Da Costa
Arts professional with a background at the ICA and film festivals. Brings deep experience in building teams, managing partnerships and coordinating volunteers to deliver complex cultural projects.
Arts professional with a background at the ICA and film festivals. Brings deep experience in building teams, managing partnerships and coordinating volunteers to deliver complex cultural projects.
Kyla Taylor
Kyla Taylor
Kyla Taylor
Policy and legislation expert working in the House of Lords. Currently on maternity leave. Supports governance, sustainability and longterm foundations for the festival as a CIC.
Policy and legislation expert working in the House of Lords. Currently on maternity leave. Supports governance, sustainability and longterm foundations for the festival as a CIC.
We couldn't do this without the support of
We couldn't do this without the support of
Edward Benyon
Estate Manager - Benyon Estates
Rosie Wesemann
Walking the good walk whilst magically running Sweet Thursday (best pizzas in town) and The Scolt Head (never a dull evening)
Joe Walker &
Jasmine Martins
Councillors, De Beauvoir Ward
Amanda Lovegrove
President of the Women's Institute, a bedrock of our neighbourhood
President of the Women's Institute, a bedrock of our neighbourhood
Cllr. Christopher Kennedy, Hackney Council - Culture
Cec Darker
Founder and (previously) the Artistic Director of the much loved Rosemary Branch pub and theatre.
and so many more folks in our neighbourhood and beyond.
and so many more folks in our neighbourhood and beyond.
De Beauvoir Town offers the ideal setting for a neighbourhood jazz festival. Its pedestrianised streets create natural stages, while diverse architecture provides a picturesque backdrop. There are multiple independent businesses and venues as well as the neighbourhood's creative residents that create an inclusive atmosphere welcoming all music lovers. From quiet courtyards to lively squares, De Beauvoir's layout accommodates various musical moods. The area's commitment to sustainability aligns with accessible, eco-friendly entertainment. It's a perfect blend of urban charm and community spirit, with stalwarts in the community who do incredible work to keep us all coming together for events through all the seasons.
De Beauvoir Town offers the ideal setting for a neighbourhood jazz festival. Its pedestrianised streets create natural stages, while diverse architecture provides a picturesque backdrop. There are multiple independent businesses and venues as well as the neighbourhood's creative residents that create an inclusive atmosphere welcoming all music lovers. From quiet courtyards to lively squares, De Beauvoir's layout accommodates various musical moods. The area's commitment to sustainability aligns with accessible, eco-friendly entertainment. It's a perfect blend of urban charm and community spirit, with stalwarts in the community who do incredible work to keep us all coming together for events through all the seasons.
De Beauvoir Jazz Festival is a Community Interest Company
De Beauvoir Jazz Festival is a Community Interest Company
De Beauvoir Jazz Festival is a Community Interest Company