Derry swings into rhythm with hands-on jazz workshops teaching new skills
23 April 2026
The City of Derry Jazz & Big Band Festival returns next week with a packed six-day programme of live music and events across the city.
Back by popular demand, the Jazz Hubs and free masterclasses once again form a key part of the festival, offering a vibrant programme of workshops open to all. Celebrating creativity, learning and live performance, this year’s sessions take place in venues including Bennigans Bar, the Guildhall, the Playhouse and St Columb’s Hall, with Bennigans hosting the free masterclasses led by acclaimed artists such as Hannes Riepler, Sylvie Noble & Camille Rose, and Riley Stone-Lonergan.
While Bennigans Bar has been a cornerstone of the festival over the festival’s history, regularly hosting gigs and live performances, this marks the first time the venue has introduced a dedicated educational element to its programme. Adding to the excitement, this year’s masterclasses will take place in Bennigans’ newly renovated studio space, making the festival the first official use of the state-of-the-art facility.
Following the festival, the new studio, equipped with modern, high-spec equipment, will be available for artists to rent for a wide range of creative uses, including rehearsals, recording sessions and content creation. The owners say they are particularly excited to offer a new, high-quality resource to support and grow the local arts scene.
Speaking ahead of next week’s festival, John Leighton from Bennigans Bar said they were delighted to expand their offering this year and encouraged everyone to get involved.
“The masterclasses prove to be very popular every year and we can see why, with some of the finest musicians performing at this year’s festival offering expert knowledge and advice on improvisation, performance and the creative process behind jazz. Whether you’re a musician, singer, student or just curious about it all, everyone is welcome in these relaxed and interactive sessions.
“This year is particularly special for us. While Bennigans has proudly hosted live music as part of the festival throughout the years, this is the first time we’ve introduced an educational element to our programme. We’re also thrilled to be hosting the masterclasses in our newly renovated studio space, it’s the first time it will be used, and we’re excited for people to experience it. After the festival, we’ll be opening it up for artists to use, whether that’s for rehearsing, recording or creating new work. It’s something we’re really proud of and we hope it will become a valuable resource for the local arts community.”
The programme begins with a jazz guitar masterclass led by Hannes Riepler on Friday 1st May, where participants will explore improvisation, repertoire and develop a deeper connection with the instrument. On Saturday 2nd May, London-based vocalists Sylvie Noble and Camille Rose will host a vocal masterclass, offering participants the chance to get involved, learn new techniques and enjoy live performance up close.
Rounding off the weekend, saxophonist Riley Stone-Lonergan will host a masterclass on Sunday 3rd May, joined by guitarist Phil Robson. The highly acclaimed duo will present an engaging introduction to improvising in a group setting, creating music collaboratively, and navigating the creative challenges that come with it.
The masterclasses will take an informal, interactive approach, giving participants the opportunity to engage directly with professional musicians, explore creative processes, and develop practical skills in a supportive setting.
While the masterclasses are free, tickets are essential. More information is available at: www.cityofderryjazzfestival.com/tickets
The City of Derry Jazz Festival takes place in venues across the city from Wednesday 29th April until Monday 4th May 2026. For more information, please visit www.cityofderryjazzfestival.com