Soul singer Smokey Robinson is currently top of the billing for what’s officially titled the “Love Supreme Jazz Festival 2025”. Described in the festival publicity as a “legendary Motown icon”, Robinson will make his first UK appearance in 15 years.
Often characterised as a jazz festival by the organisers, by the mainstream media (media partners include Jazzwise and Jazz FM) and by the public, Love Supreme next year also features Pakistani-American singer Arooj Aftab, “soul revivalists” Thee Sacred Souls, “award-winning rapper redefining hip-hop and African music” Sampa The Great, Chicago singer and poet Jamila Woods, and “retro-soul torchbearers” Durand Jones & The Indications.
The event – “Europe’s biggest greenfield jazz festival” according to its publicist – takes place at Glynde Place in East Sussex, 4-6 July 2025 and also features the chart-topping R&B vocal group En Vogue and funk and rock band War as well as triple Grammy-winning soul star Maxwell.
Among the jazz artists so far announced for the festival are Stanley Clarke, Branford Marsalis and Lakecia Benjamin. More names are promised, and details will be here – lovesupremefestival.com.