Andy Sheppard Trio (Manchester Jazz Festival 2026)

Saxophonist and composer Andy Sheppard has established himself as one of Europe’s leading contemporary jazz figures.  

This trio sets the scene for an encounter with Italian jazz icon Rita Marcotulli and one of the most prominent bassists on the European circuit, French bassist Michel Benita. These are three highly individual musicians, all of whom have had a big role in shaping the sound of European jazz today.  

Sheppard has developed a programme of new free-flowing compositions for this trio, taking a spirited fresh approach, honouring jazz in its tradition but allowing free space for interpretation by the players. Collectively exploring the possibilities of improvisation and interplay, the music is anchored in structure but open to lyricism, free to choose new paths and take on different directions in the making.  

Sheppard’s musical path has crossed with that of both players for many years, including a long-established duo with Marcotulli and several ECM album recordings with Benita, but this their first venture together as a trio. 

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