A Month of Music: June 2026
Jack Heavenor performing jazz standards at Bluedog Glasgow during an evening live music session.
From Open Jam Thursdays at the Maverick to Crossbasket Castle, Newlands Jazz Recital and the Glasgow Swing Exchange Tea Dance, here’s a look at what’s coming up this month.
A Month of Music: June 2026
From weekly jam sessions and summer socials to castle performances, concert recitals and swing dancing, June promises to be one of the most varied months of the year so far.
As the summer months begin to arrive, June is shaping up to be one of the busiest and most diverse periods in my calendar. Looking ahead, what strikes me most isn't simply the number of performances, but the sheer variety of settings, audiences and musical experiences that the month will bring.
Within the space of a few weeks, I'll move between hosting community jam sessions, performing in luxury hospitality venues, presenting a dedicated jazz recital, entertaining late-night audiences and providing live music for swing dancers. It's a reminder that being a working musician often means wearing many different hats, each requiring a slightly different approach while remaining rooted in the same love of live performance.
Open Jam Thursdays at Maverick
At the heart of the month are my weekly Open Jam Thursdays at Maverick.
What began as a simple opportunity for musicians to meet and play together has grown into a regular fixture of my week. Every Thursday evening brings a different collection of singers, instrumentalists, students, professionals and curious listeners through the doors. Some performers arrive with years of experience, while others are stepping onto a stage for the very first time.
Although jazz remains at the core of the evening, the real joy comes from the unpredictability. No two sessions are ever quite the same, and some of the most memorable moments happen completely by accident when musicians who have never met before find themselves creating something together.
For me, the jam continues to represent one of the most rewarding aspects of Glasgow's music scene: a willingness to share knowledge, encourage participation and celebrate live music in its most spontaneous form.
Summer Socials and City Performances
The month begins with Orange Blossom's Summer Social, a daytime event that feels perfectly timed as Glasgow moves into the warmer months.
Events like these provide a very different atmosphere from traditional jazz performances. The focus is often on creating a relaxed soundtrack for conversation, celebration and community, allowing the music to become part of a wider experience rather than the sole centre of attention.
The following day brings a familiar combination of venues that perfectly illustrates the variety of modern performance life.
During the afternoon, I'll be returning to Crossbasket Castle and Trocadero's, one of Scotland's most impressive hospitality destinations. Performing there always feels special. The surroundings are beautiful, the atmosphere is elegant, and guests often arrive specifically looking to enjoy an afternoon experience that combines food, hospitality and live music.
Later that same day, I'll head back into Glasgow city centre for an appearance at Bluedog. Few venues have been as significant to my musical journey over the years. From jam sessions and residencies to concert promotions and collaborations, Bluedog has become one of those places that feels woven into my story as a performer.
Bluedog After Dark
A week later, I'll be returning to Bluedog in a very different capacity.
Alongside the regular afternoon appearances, June includes a late-night swing trio performance running from midnight until 2am. These sets often take on an entirely different character from daytime performances.
As the evening progresses, audiences become more involved, requests become more adventurous and the line between performer and audience begins to blur. A swing standard might sit comfortably beside a Rat Pack favourite, a vintage pop arrangement or an unexpected singalong moment.
Late-night performances require a different kind of energy. Rather than asking audiences to focus quietly on the music, the goal becomes creating an atmosphere that encourages people to stay a little longer, sing a little louder and enjoy the shared experience of live entertainment.
It is a style of performance that continues to teach me valuable lessons about audience engagement, spontaneity and reading a room.
Newlands Jazz Recital
One of the highlights of the month will undoubtedly be the Newlands Jazz Recital.
Unlike many of my regular engagements, this performance places the music firmly at the centre of the experience. Presented in a dedicated concert setting, the recital offers an opportunity to share songs from the Great American Songbook in an environment designed specifically for listening.
Many of these songs have accompanied me throughout my development as a performer. Some have remained in my repertoire for years, while others have emerged more recently as my understanding of the music has evolved.
What excites me most about recital performances is the chance to tell stories alongside the music. Jazz standards are often remembered for their melodies, but many also carry fascinating histories, connections and personal memories that add an extra layer of meaning when shared with an audience.
I am very much looking forward to presenting this programme and seeing where the evening leads.
From Concert Hall to Restaurant Jazz
One of the amusing realities of life as a musician is how quickly the context can change.
The day after the recital, I'll once again be returning to Crossbasket Castle before heading to Epicures in Hyndland for an evening of live jazz.
Epicures has become one of my favourite additions to the calendar. The venue manages to strike a balance between restaurant dining and live music in a way that feels completely natural. Rather than competing for attention, the music becomes part of the overall atmosphere, helping to create a warm and welcoming end to the weekend.
The audiences are often wonderfully varied too. Dedicated jazz listeners sit alongside diners who simply happen to discover live music while enjoying their meal, creating a unique dynamic that keeps every performance fresh.
Fonn Mór and the Art of Reading a Room
Later in the month, I'll return to Fonn Mór for both a late-night appearance and an early evening performance.
These engagements showcase yet another side of what live music can be.
Where a recital encourages careful listening, venues like Fonn Mór invite interaction. Requests arrive constantly, familiar songs prompt spontaneous singalongs and every audience develops its own personality as the evening unfolds.
Part of the challenge — and the enjoyment — lies in finding the right balance between jazz standards, popular favourites and unexpected choices that suit the room in front of you.
No two nights are ever quite the same, and that's exactly what makes them enjoyable.
Finishing the Month with Swing
The month concludes with one of the most joyful events on the calendar: the Glasgow Swing Exchange Tea Dance at Sloan's Ballroom.
There is something uniquely satisfying about performing for dancers. The relationship between music and movement becomes immediately visible, and every tempo, phrase and musical decision has a direct impact on the atmosphere in the room.
Sloan's provides the perfect setting for this kind of event. Rich in history and character, it remains one of Glasgow's most iconic venues and an ideal home for an afternoon of live swing music and social dancing.
As someone who has always loved the connection between jazz and community, events like this feel like a fitting way to bring the month to a close.
Looking Ahead
When I look across the performances ahead, what stands out most is the variety.
From community jam sessions and concert recitals to castle hotels, restaurant jazz, late-night entertainment and social dancing, June represents many of the different strands that make up my musical life.
Each venue, audience and performance offers something unique, and I feel fortunate to be able to move between so many different musical worlds throughout the month.
Whether you're a regular face at one of the venues, a fellow musician, or someone simply looking for an excuse to enjoy some live music this summer, I hope our paths cross somewhere along the way.
For full event details and upcoming dates, visit my Events Page.
September Schedule
This September brings two exciting opportunities to share music in Glasgow.
On Friday 13th September, I’ll be performing with Del Artek at the Ando Glaso Festival, a project celebrating Romani culture through gypsy jazz and cross-cultural collaboration. Tickets are available now via the Ando Glaso website.
Later in the month, the 73rd Street Trio will appear at Epicures on Sunday 14th & 21st September as part of their Easy Jazz Sundays series. With two live sets from 7:30pm and a 2-course dinner menu available from £24.50, it’s the perfect way to enjoy a Sunday evening.
Otherwise, catch me at my usual residencies of the Maverick, Bluedog & Bossa.
Autumnal Beginnings - Easy Jazz Sundays at Epicures
August reminded me what consistency feels like. September is about giving that consistency a shape.
This month has been a quieter one — rehearsals, smaller rooms, moments of reflection — but those spaces often carry the seeds of what comes next.
I’ve been working on bringing together a new trio, built around the same vision that’s guided me through residencies and jam nights: music that adapts to the room, balances energy, and leaves space for genuine connection.
I’m excited to say we’ll be debuting at Epicures in Glasgow’s West End as part of their Sunday Dinner series on September 14th & 21st.
https://www.epicures.co.uk/events/easy-jazz-sundays
These nights will be about atmosphere and flow — two sets shaped around swing, Latin, and cocktail-era standards. Not just background music, but a curated listening experience woven into the evening.
It feels like the right way to carry August’s quiet work into September’s next chapter.
If you’re local, come by. And if you’re building something new this autumn — musical or otherwise — I’d love to hear what you’re shaping.
