Summer in Full Swing: July 2026
Jack Heavenor performing jazz standards at Bluedog Glasgow during an evening live music session.
Summer in Full Swing: July 2026
From weekly residencies and late-night sessions to a quartet concert at Basement Jazz Café and the Modern Crooners Show, July continues a summer filled with live music across Glasgow and Lanarkshire.
A Summer Rhythm
If June was about variety, July feels like settling into a rhythm.
One of the pleasures of being a working musician is discovering that no two weeks are ever quite the same, while at the same time recognising the familiar places that gradually become part of your routine. Throughout July I'll once again be moving between community music, restaurant performances, late-night entertainment and dedicated jazz concerts, with each engagement offering its own atmosphere and audience.
Looking across the calendar, what stands out most isn't simply the number of performances, but the relationships that continue to develop with venues, audiences and fellow musicians. Returning regularly to the same spaces allows performances to evolve naturally, with familiar faces becoming friends and each appearance feeling like another chapter rather than a completely separate event.
Thursdays at Maverick
Open Jam Thursdays continue to provide the heartbeat of the month.
Every Thursday evening, musicians from across Glasgow gather at Maverick to perform, collaborate and share music in an informal and welcoming environment. Whether someone is stepping onto a stage for the first time or arriving with years of professional experience, the aim remains exactly the same: to create a space where live music is shared rather than simply presented.
What continues to surprise me is how unpredictable each session remains. Every week brings different combinations of musicians, different repertoire and unexpected musical moments that couldn't have been planned beforehand.
Watching new collaborations emerge in real time is still one of the most rewarding parts of hosting the evening.
Evenings at Fonn Mór
July also sees several appearances at Fonn Mór, alternating between relaxed early evening performances and energetic late-night sessions.
Although the venues may be the same, the atmosphere can be completely different depending on the time of day. Early evening audiences often settle in with friends over dinner and drinks, while later performances naturally become more interactive as the night unfolds.
Finding the balance between jazz standards, timeless classics and familiar favourites remains one of the most enjoyable aspects of these performances. Reading a room is as much a musical skill as singing or playing an instrument, and every audience brings its own character.
Returning to Familiar Stages
Regular appearances continue throughout the month at Bluedog and Crossbasket Castle's Trocadero's restaurant.
These performances remind me how fortunate I am to perform in venues that each have their own identity.
At Bluedog, the focus often shifts between intimate jazz listening and lively weekend entertainment depending on the evening. It has become a venue that has accompanied so much of my musical development over the years, and returning each month always feels familiar.
Meanwhile, performances at Trocadero's provide a completely different experience. Set within the surroundings of Crossbasket Castle, the emphasis is on creating an elegant soundtrack that complements the hospitality and atmosphere, allowing guests to enjoy live music as part of their afternoon.
The Modern Crooners Show
One of the highlights of July will be returning to Epicures with the Modern Crooners Show.
This programme celebrates the timeless appeal of artists such as Frank Sinatra, Dean Martin, Bobby Darin, Michael Bublé and Harry Connick Jr., combining classic swing with more contemporary interpretations of the Great American Songbook.
Performed in the relaxed surroundings of Epicures, the evening is designed to bring together wonderful food, conversation and live music in an atmosphere that feels both intimate and entertaining.
An Evening with the Quartet
Towards the end of the month, I'm particularly looking forward to appearing with my quartet at Basement Jazz Café.
Concert performances like these provide a different kind of musical freedom. With an audience gathered specifically to listen, there is more opportunity to explore arrangements, stretch improvisations and allow the music to breathe.
Joined by Tim Lallemant on piano, Mark Hendry on double bass and Greg Irons on drums, the programme will feature a carefully curated selection of swing standards and bossa nova favourites, celebrating the conversational nature of small-group jazz.
Opportunities to present this kind of dedicated concert remain some of the most rewarding performances of the year, and I'm looking forward to sharing the evening with both regular listeners and new audiences alike.
Looking Ahead
Although July continues the momentum established during the summer, it also reinforces something I've come to appreciate over the past year.
Every performance serves a different purpose.
Some evenings are about encouraging musicians to take their first steps on stage. Others invite audiences to sit back and simply listen. Some provide the soundtrack to celebrations, while others bring dancers onto the floor or create an atmosphere for friends to spend time together.
Taken together, they paint a picture of why I continue to enjoy this profession so much. Every venue, every audience and every collaboration adds something different, yet all are connected by the same desire to bring people together through live music.
Whether you're joining me at Maverick, Bluedog, Fonn Mór, Epicures, Crossbasket Castle or Basement Jazz Café this month, I hope to see you there.
For full performance details and upcoming appearances, visit the Events page.
