Trumpeter Guy Barker, well-known as in the vanguard of the first so-called British jazz revival of the 1980s, when he played bebop and cutting-edge jazz-funk with Chris Hunter and others, has for some years now embraced the mainstream of jazz. In a sense, being a member of the National Youth Jazz Orchestra in his teens, he has come full circle in directing a big band, sometimes for the London Jazz Festival and elsewhere but also, notably, at the Royal Albert Hall every Christmas for the past decade. This year, on the 17 December, he leads his band in the 10th edition of Guy Barker’s Big Band Christmas.
As the concert trailer vividly illustrates, the audience can expect a a swinging, soulful celebration of big-band music with a Christmas twist, as Barker mixes jazz classics with unearthed treasures and Christmas oddities. Guy will be joined on stage by an array of special guests. Guy Barker’s Big Band Christmas is at the Royal Albert Hall, London on Wednesday 17 December 2025 at 7:30pm. Tickets, from £30, can be obtained here.
Guy Barker’s Big Band Christmas won’t be the only jazz representation at the RAH in December. Frank Sinatra and Tony Bennett will be among the artists Tony Hadley of Spandau Ballet touches on in his big-band show on 2 December and on 12 December Jamie Cullum returns to the hall to play his The Pianoman at Christmas set. He’ll be accompanied by Kansas Smitty’s jazz band, in what’s forecast to be a festive set with all the trimmings.
Other Christmas events at the RAH this year include Trevor Nelson’s Soul Christmas (11 December, offering reimagined and rescored soul and R&B tracks with the BBC Concert Orchestra) and the London Community Gospel Choir at Christmas (16 December), as well as carols and a wealth of traditional Christmas music. More information on the RAH website.
