It’s the biggest ever London Jazz Festival this year, very possibly the biggest the country has ever seen, held at dozens of venues across the capital. Tonight the full printed programme is released at a reception in Kings Cross and as well as new stars in the making this year as ever, there is also a great range of European acts, a vibrant club programme, and the biggest names in international jazz including Sonny Rollins, Herbie Hancock, Brad Mehldau, Esperanza Spalding, John McLaughlin, and Jan Garbarek at venues all over London including the Royal Festival Hall, Barbican, Kings Place, Ronnie Scott’s, the Vortex, Pizza Express Jazz Club, Hideaway, the Forge, Arts Depot, and St James’ Piccadilly. If you’re thinking of making the most of the festival across the capital here are some highlights in store to whet your appetite, but do check out the full programme and the festival’s website as there is a huge amount of jazz taking place for 2012 across the 10 days not to mention many talks and family-friendly events as well.
Friday 9 November
New star Ambrose Akinmusire Quintet, Queen Elizabeth Hall
The new Europe Amira and Bojan Z, Artsdepot
Club gig Emilia Mårtensson and pianist Barry Green, Pizza Express Jazz Club
Pick of the day Robert Glasper Experiment and Phantom Limb,
Royal Festival Hall
Saturday 10
New star Femi Temowo and Elisa Caleb, The Forge
The new Europe Oddarrang, South Bank Centre
Club gig Makoto Meets Lakatos, Pizza Express Jazz Club
Pick of the day Matthew Shipp Trio, Vortex
Sunday 11
New star Beats & Pieces + Ensemble Denada, Purcell Room
The new Europe Black Motor + Rakka+ Kuara+Anna-Mari Kaharan Orkesteri, Barbican freestage
Club gig Randolph Matthews, The Forge
Pick of the day John McLaughlin and the 4th Dimension, Barbican
Monday 12
New star Josh Arcoleo, the Forge
The new Europe Michael Wollny + Iiro Rantala With Adam Baldych, St James’ Piccadilly
Club gig Ravi Coltrane, Ronnie Scott’s
Pick of the day Herbie Hancock, Royal Festival Hall
Tuesday 13
New star Shabaka Hutchings and the BBC Concert Orchestra, Queen Elizabeth Hall
The new Europe Carminho, Purcell Room
Club gig Kit Downes Quintet and Barbacana, Vortex
Pick of the day Jan Garbarek group with Trilok Gurtu, Royal Festival Hall
Wednesday 14
New star Emma Smith, St James’ Piccadilly
The new Europe DPZ Quintet, Barbican freestage
Club gig Tammy Weis, The Pheasantry
Pick of the day Brad Mehldau Trio, Barbican
Thursday 15
New star Trish Clowes, St James’ Piccadilly
The new Europe Nicholas Simion Group, Rich Mix
Club gig Dee Dee Bridgewater, Ronnie Scott’s
Pick of the day Esperanza Spalding, Royal Festival Hall
Friday 16
New star Sid Peacock Surge, Barbican freestage
The new Europe Open Souls + Circle Of Sound, Purcell Room
Club gig Lonnie Liston Smith, Hideaway
Pick of the day Sonny Rollins, Barbican
Saturday 17
New star Tommy Evans Orchestra, Barbican freestage
The new Europe Leszek Mozdzer + Radio.String.Quartet.Vienna, St James’ Piccadilly
Club gig Charles McPherson, Pizza Express Jazz Club
Pick of the day Chick Corea (right) / Christian McBride / Brian Blade, Barbican 
Sunday 18
New star Stuart McCallum, the Forge
The new Europe Supersilent feat John Paul Jones, Village Underground
Club gig Liane Carroll, Hideaway
Pick of the day David Murray Big Band and Macy Gray, Barbican
Stephen Graham
http://www.londonjazzfestival.org.uk
Herbie Hancock top appearing on Monday 12 November at the Royal Festival Hall as part of this year’s London Jazz Festival held in association with BBC Radio 3