The Bear Club

Upcoming events at The Bear Club

The Bear Club is a gallery in High Town. Near Here currently lists at least 17 upcoming events, including Jack-austin Despy Blues Band, David Kayode and Nw Frqnc Ft. Selina Albright.

Live Music

Around £16

Jack-austin Despy Blues Band

Part of our series showcasing some of the finest young artists on the UK’s blues scene, Jack-Austin Despy, from Billericay in Essex is already being recognised as one of the UK’s brightest new blues talents. Jack began his musical journey at the age of six when he learned to play harp and at the age of thirteen he played guitar and sang at the Rory Gallagher Festival UK in Nantwich where he amazed the audience with his skills. Jack-Austin blends the virtuosity of Stevie Ray Vaughan with the passion of Rory Gallagher and the soul of BB King, while carving out his own unique identity on stage. Doors 7pm/ Music 8.30pm

Fri 24 Jul19:00Jazz Jam - Luton

via Jazz Jam - Luton

Live Music

Around £16.50

David Kayode

Tomorrow’s Warriors presents…Saxophonist David Kayode’s commanding tenor sound blends Yoruba tradition, carnival energy and contemporary jazz into a distinctly London sound that moves bodies and evokes ancestral stories. Mentored by Gary Crosby OBE and Camilla George, David has already performed with the Gary Crosby Sextet in the acclaimed Mingus Moves series (coming up in August at The Bear), toured internationally with Moses Boyd, and collaborated with artists including Ni Maxine and Osibisa. Spring 2026 saw the release of his debut EP, Ade Kayode , that was instantly picked up by radio, including JazzFM, BBC3, and One Jazz. You need to be in the room for this one… Doors 7pm/ DJ set Niv Hammond / Music 8.30pm

Sat 25 Jul19:00Jazz Jam - Luton

via Jazz Jam - Luton

Don't miss the next one

What's on near High Town, in your inbox

One email a week with the local stuff worth knowing — before it's already happened.

Sign up for High Town

Free. Unsubscribe whenever you like.

Live Music

Around £30

Nw Frqnc Ft. Selina Albright

NW FRQNC (pronounced New Frequency) is a new project combining elements of the Dutch funk/acid jazz band The Pact, Italy’s world-renowned saxophonist Gianni Vancini, and Selina Albright’s powerhouse vocals. Led by the charismatic Albright and backed by an awesome band, flavoured by uber-talented saxophonist Gianni Vancini, NW FRQNC conclude our series of Soulful Sundays in style. Doors 2pm / Music 3.30pm

Sun 26 Jul14:00Jazz Jam - Luton

via Jazz Jam - Luton

Likely freeCommunity

Open For Drinks

Kick back at The Bear with a few drinks - due to a gig cancellation we’re open tonight just for drinks and for the vibe. We’ll be offering a Happy Hour special, with 2-4-1 on all drinks from 6pm to 7pm. Then stick around for a night of great music. There will be outside tables, weather permitting, so come on down. It’s what the summer was made for. Doors 6pm

Fri 31 Jul18:00Jazz Jam - Luton

via Jazz Jam - Luton

Live Music

Asa Martinson & The Outlet

Led by pianist, composer and arranger Asa Martinson, The Outlet play a unique blend of traditional jazz and modern afrobeat influences inspired by legends James Brown, Tony Allen, George Duke and Julian Joseph. Their journey has taken them to some of the UK’s most iconic stages— selling out Pizza Express Live (Dean Street), 91 Living Room and STEREO Covent Garden as well as playing Ronnie Scott’s, the 606 Club, and the Barbican but this will be their first time at The Bear Club. Asa’s experience with the Royal Philharmonic Orchestra, where he trains gifted school pupils, reinforced his belief in the power of cross-genre music. At this early point in his career Asa is already using his experience in the music industry to support his community. With a mix of vocal and instrumental tunes, aswell as high energy and interactive sets expect a night of unreleased gems and music from their debut EP scheduled for release in early 2026. The Outlet met through Julian Joseph Jazz Academy (JJJA) an extra curricular academy for young talented musicians across London. Asa’s mentor Julian Joesph OBE is one of top piants and educators in the UK . Their ability to captivate audiences with soulful melodies and intricate improvisations sets them apart as true masters of their craft. This performance is part of our Generation Jazz2.0 series of gigs, showcasing brilliant young jazz musicians across the summer and autumn of 2026.

Sat 1 Aug19:00Jazz Jam - Luton

via Jazz Jam - Luton

Ways to help this venue's events reach more people

Community Boost

Help a local event get seen

Anyone can give an event a brighter spot on Near Here, helping more people nearby discover what's happening in their community.

Learn about Community Boosts

For the venue website

Keep your what's-on page in the loop

Add a free snippet that points visitors to this automatically updated list of events. No second calendar to keep in sync.

Get the free snippet

Live Music

Around £9

JAZZ JAM

Led by saxophonist Rob Mach, Jazz Jam welcomes musicians, vocalists, dancers, and music lovers who enjoy spending an afternoon listening to or creating great music, supported by DJ Mr Jazzy Vibes. Doors 1pm / Music 2pm

Sun 2 Aug13:00Jazz Jam - Luton

via Jazz Jam - Luton

Live Music

Around £16

Paulie Boy Blues + Support (dois Padres)

We welcome the awesome blues guitar talent that is Paulie Boy Blues to The Bear Club for the first time. He brings the noise, the swagger and raw ability of someone carrying lightly the burden of blues rock tradition upon his shoulders. Comparisons with Hendrix are plain and obvious but too easy. Yes he plays with some of his panache and experimentation but in doing so he finds his own style. He bridges the space between classic blues and contemporary noise rock with total authenticity summoning the spirit of the past but taking the music forward into the future with a huge sense of conviction. Doors 7pm/ Music 8.30pm

Fri 7 Aug19:00Jazz Jam - Luton

via Jazz Jam - Luton

Community

Around £16

Sarah Hanahan Quartet

Sarah Hanahan is a dynamic and soulful alto saxophonist rapidly emerging as one of the most compelling new voices in American jazz. A graduate of both the Jackie McLean Institute of Jazz and The Juilliard School, Hanahan fuses the deep-rooted swing and bebop traditions with a bold, modern intensity—an approach that reflects her rigorous training and fearless artistic vision. You might have caught her playing at The Bear Club with Joe Farnsworth last summer and we just had to get her back.

Sat 8 Aug19:00Jazz Jam - Luton

via Jazz Jam - Luton

Community

Around £16

Danni Nicholls

Following the release of her new album Making Moves, Danni Nicholls heads back to the UK this August and September. Rooted in Americana and rich storytelling, her songs explore resilience, change and the journey back to self — delivered with warmth, grit, and a captivating live presence. Now Nashville based but originally from Bedford she grew up on a diet of the American roots music of her Anglo-Indian grandmother’s record collection and has been steadily paving her way on the global Americana scene. Doors 7pm / Music 8.30pm

Fri 14 Aug19:00Jazz Jam - Luton

via Jazz Jam - Luton

Live Music

Around £16

Danni Nicholls + Support (jemma Johnson)

Following the release of her new album Making Moves, Danni Nicholls heads back to the UK this August and September. Rooted in Americana and rich storytelling, her songs explore resilience, change and the journey back to self — delivered with warmth, grit, and a captivating live presence. Now Nashville based but originally from Bedford she grew up on a diet of the American roots music of her Anglo-Indian grandmother’s record collection and has been steadily paving her way on the global Americana scene. Doors 7pm / Music 8.30pm

Fri 14 Aug19:00Jazz Jam - Luton

via Jazz Jam - Luton

Live Music

Around £16

Secret Night Gang

Secret Night Gang is a writing duo founded by Kemani Anderson and Callum Connell, who joined forces with a set of amazing musicians to blend neo-soul with a jazz-inflected flair as an awesome, not-to-be-missed 7-piece live experience.

Sat 15 Aug19:00Jazz Jam - Luton

via Jazz Jam - Luton

Live Music

Around £16.50

Gary Crosby Quintet: Mingus Moves

Bassist, band leader and co-founder of Tomorrow’s Warriors, Gary Crosby OBE brings together his quintet for a night celebrating the legendary jazz innovator and composer Charles Mingus. For this special celebration Crosby will lead his quintet of super-talented young musicians through his personal favourite from the Mingus catalogue – Mingus Moves , recorded in 1973 and possibly his last great album. There will also be some classic Mingus tracks including Goodbye Pork Pie Hat and II BS. Doors 7pm / Music 8.30pm

Fri 21 Aug19:00Jazz Jam - Luton

via Jazz Jam - Luton

Live Music

Around £16.50

Thomas Atlas Band

Thomas Atlas is a British guitarist, vocalist, and songwriter who has built a dynamic career blending blues and funk. After touring the UK and USA with soul and blues bands, he gained recognition with his ''Garage Funk'' YouTube videos, leading to performances at venues like Ronnie Scott’s and The 100 Club. He also came close to selling out on his debut at The Bear Club last summer. This is high-quality, high-tempo funky blues… with horns! Doors 7pm / Music 8.30pm

Sat 22 Aug19:00Jazz Jam - Luton

via Jazz Jam - Luton

Live Music

Around £16

Sonny Flint’s Beano Bluesbreakers

As a special bank holiday weekend treat, we don’t really do tribute acts but… formed to mark the 60th anniversary of John Mayall’s Blues Breakers with Eric Clapton, Sonny Flint’s Beano Bluesbreakers, is a tribute to one of the most influential recordings in British blues history. The project is dedicated to recreating faithfully the sound, feel and musical intent of the original album, which helped define the UK’s electric blues movement. The band offers audiences the opportunity to hear this landmark recording performed in full, plus additional songs from the original live set, with precision, restraint and deep reverence for its place in music history. Doors 7pm/ Music 8.30pm

Fri 28 Aug19:00Jazz Jam - Luton

via Jazz Jam - Luton

Live Music

Elsadie & The Bobcats

Hot off the heels of her debut at Ronnie Scott’s, we are excited to welcome back Kirstin Knight to The Bear Club almost exactly two years to the day since her sold out debut here. A commanding presence on stage and a voice rich in soul, control and storytelling, Kirstin Elsadie Knight is the driving force behind her live band, Elsadie and The Bobcats. Blending jazz, neo-soul, pop and blues, her sound feels right at home on a stage built for true live music lovers. Trained at the prestigious Sylvia Young Theatre School in London and later at the Songwriting School of Los Angeles, Kirstin brings both technical precision and emotional depth to every performance. Championed by BBC Introducing, Kirstin’s last five releases have all received airplay and, with two Top 10 Music Week chart placements, she continues to build momentum but it is on stage where Kirstin truly shines. Alongside Elsadie and The Bobcats, she delivers soulful, groove-led sets that draw from classic influences while feeling fresh, current and deeply authentic. Her performance credits span iconic venues including the Royal Albert Hall, The O2, Soul Mama and the Natural History Museum, as well as celebrated stages across New York and Los Angeles. For the bank holiday weekend at The Bear Club, expect a night of rich vocals, tight musicianship and that unmistakable live energy—music that’s felt as much as it’s heard.

Sat 29 Aug19:00Jazz Jam - Luton

via Jazz Jam - Luton

Live Music

Around £16.50

Burning Rope

Burning Rope is the new band formed by former Catfish members Paul Long and Adam Pyke, with superb blues rock guitarist Alex Voysey and Mitch Weaving (who also toured several times with Catfish) on drums.

Fri 4 Sept19:00Jazz Jam - Luton

via Jazz Jam - Luton

Live Music

Around £16.50

Harry Brunt Quartet

Harry Brunt has rapidly established himself as an important new voice on the UK jazz scene. An experienced performer with an impressive list of appearances, in addition to his work with his own quartet, Harry is a co-leader of the award winning group, Howl Quartet. Tonight the quartet will be showcasing music from their debut EP Carolina Peaches featuring the considerable talents of Billy Marrows (guitar), Flo Moore (bass) & Rod Oughton (drums), Doors 7pm/ Music 8.30pm

Sat 5 Sept19:00Jazz Jam - Luton

via Jazz Jam - Luton

Event details on Near Here are aggregated from third-party sources and may change. Always verify times, location, availability, and any price directly with the organiser before travelling. See Terms.