Alice Zawadzki

Proudly presented in partnership with One Jazz

Acclaimed violinist, composer and singer Alice Zawadzki presents a unique exploration of musical junctions through the stories of folklore, alongside a bespoke band assembled especially for the final concert night of this year's festival.

Main Act: Alice Zawadzki

Invented Folklore

Who were the ordinary mortals who stoked the imagination of febrile storytellers, from the Frog Prince to Cinderella? Who would those people be in today's world? Would we recognise them?

Curated and performed by Alice Zawadzki, Invented Folklore brings us vignettes that re-imagine the world of the fairy tale, crashing into the Pumphouse Theatre for one very special night.

Alice invites a stellar line-up of musicians to re-tell our beloved stories and invent new ones, including saxophonist and BBC Young Jazz Musician 2018 Xhosa Cole, drummer for Go Go Penguin and Mulatu Astatke Jon Scott, and boundary blurring artist Simon Roth, who in the spirit of invention, brings a completely new and unique instrument of his own making, The Magic Box, which has to be heard to be believed. 

The Wolf of Watford sits alongside Goldilocks and the Three Hipsters, whilst the Sleeping Beauty of Berkhamsted dreams of the Ugly Duckling of Boreham Wood. Baba Yaga of Potter's Bar looks on and wonders when the bar will re-open. From the absurd to the blissful, the silly to the sublime, suburbaners expect your stories to be immortalised forever! 

More about Alice

Alice’s rich musical background and “whimsical hyper-creativity” (MOJO Magazine) create a sound which draws upon her early exposure to New Orleans jazz and gospel with the legendary Lillian Boutté, an extensive classical training as a violinist, and a continuous exploration of improvisation, poetry, and folk music from diverse traditions, “all propelled in a voice of velvet suppleness and gutsy emotional power” (The Arts Desk).

Alice has enjoyed rare recognition as a singer from both the classical and jazz worlds, with a nomination for Singer of the Year from the Royal Philharmonic Society in 2024, alongside soprano Masabane Cecilia Rangwanasha, and tenor Nicky Spence, and several nominations as British Singer of the Year from both the Jazz FM Awards and the Parliamentary Jazz Awards. 

"Capturing a sense of Gaia's wisdom... Zawadzki's compositions [are] hued with mystique and eclecticism." Downbeat Magazine

More about Alice: https://www.alicezmusic.com/about

Main act line-up

Alice Zawadzki – vocals and violin

Xhosa Cole – saxophone

Jon Scott – drums

Simon Roth – 'Magic Box'

Misha Mullov-Abbado – double bass

Pete Lee – piano

Support act: Petra Haller and Tom O'Brien

Tap dancer Petra Haller and pianist Tom O’Brien perform jazz standards and free improvisation, where rhythm and melody come together in an engaging and dynamic performance, presenting a 21st century and cutting-edge take on tap dancing.

Petra, a London-based tap dancer, musician, and bandleader, has redefined tap as a key element in jazz and improvisational music. Her work transforms the art of tap into a percussive voice, adding a unique layer of rhythm and texture to her collaborations.  

Tom, a 24-year-old pianist and composer from Leeds, is gaining recognition for his imaginative approach to improvisation and his distinctive style. Drawing from a wide range of influences, his music combines playfulness and depth, establishing him as one of the UK’s most exciting emerging talents

Their performance will highlight the creative possibilities of improvisation, offering an evening of subtle interplay and spontaneous expression. Whether you're a seasoned jazz listener or simply curious, this collaboration presents a fresh take on rhythm and harmony.

One Jazz

This show is presented in partnership with One Jazz, the 24-hour global online jazz radio network that plays a majority of new music but also reflects the jazz tradition in its widest sense. One Jazz is a global hub for the music people know as 'jazz', steadfastly promoting the vibrancy, progression and evolution of the music.

Information

Doors open 7.00pm. Support act starts at 7.30pm followed by an interval of 20 minutes. Main show starts at 8.30pm, scheduled to end by about 10.00pm.

Full bar available from 7.00pm and during the interval.

Free parking is available on site, and nearby in Century Retail Park (please check conditions of parking on arrival - usually 4 hours for free). The Pump House Theatre and Arts Centre is 4-minute walk from Watford High Street Overground Station.