Brick Lane Jazz Festival’s founder Juliet Kennedy rounds up her favourite tracks from the line up of the late April weekend extravaganza. 

An early summer gem that should most definitely nestle into your schedule for the coming months of festivities, Brick Lane Jazz Festival is back for its fourth year, with another scintillating and expertly crafted line up. Taking place from 25th-27th April, the East London spectacle has enlisted a progressive and potent supporting entourage — including the likes of Reek0, Jelani Blackman, Bnnyhunna, Marysia Osu and Last Nubian — alongside headliners Laraaji, Adi Oasis and Ragz Orginale. 

The brains and spirit of the revolutionary event is Juliet Kennedy, who, as a female promoter with a stellar track record, is leading the way in sustainable and diverse festival and event curation. With this year’s line up looking particularly nuanced and the big weekend quickly approaching, Wonderland asked Juliet to curate a playlist of her favourite tracks from the artists pulling up to perform this year in our latest On Repeat.

Find out more about Brick Lane Jazz Festival here. 

Check out Juliet’s On Repeat…

All Day Breakfast Cafe – “Boys Like You” – Marla Kether Remix 

I love a remix that reimagines a song entirely and that’s what Marla Kether does with this beautiful rework, transforming the mood of All Day Breakfast Cafe’s boisterous vocals with a stripped back tenderness. I could listen to this all day.

Elijah Fox – “L’Autre Cote”

There’s something quietly magical about Elijah Fox. Choosing a track from his expansive catalogue wasn’t easy, but L’Autre Cote is as typically poignant as it is delightful. There’s an egolessness to Fox’s playing and a whimsical humour that feels like medicine for my soul.

Adi Oasis ft. Aaron Taylor – “FourSixty” 

I’ve coveted this queen for our lineup since our inception. The release of Lotus Glow (Deluxe) in 2024 felt like the stars had finally aligned, and I’m buzzing to have her headlining for us this year. I challenge anyone to listen to this song without instinctively nodding your head.

Reek0 – “Tell Me”

A key member of Brighter Days Family, Reek0’s low-key vocals got me on the first listen. I can’t get enough of this rapper – and the wider collective of musicians surrounding him. He’ll be playing with a full live band for us this year and I can’t wait to experience it!

Last Nubian – “in a morning/shaka” 

One of those tracks that never fails to get people coming over asking for the ID when I play it in a DJ set. Last Nubian is a hidden gem of London’s underground music scene, and I’m excited to shine a light on him at this year’s festival.

Katie Tupper – “Outside The Gate”

Katie Tupper walked onto the UK scene with an uncomplicated confidence that stopped me in my tracks. Her deep, textured vocals on this parred back neo-soul track are divine. A welcome overseas addition to our lineup this year, I’m genuinely intrigued to see where this artist’s career takes her next.

Bruno Berle – “Te Amar Eterno”

I can’t think of many sweeter songs than this. Bruno Berle, making me feel the world is a better place with his tender, nuanced vocals and unassuming melodies. Give me more of this, every day of the week.

Flock – “Turned Skyward”

UK supergroup Flock came through with a triumphant sophomore album last year. More uncompromising, atmospheric improv from five leading musicians from London’s jazz and experimental scenes. Each track is a deep dive into a different colour and mood.

Jelani Blackman – “Let Me Talk To You”

Jelani Blackman is an artist breathing the sound of this city. A key local artist on the 2025 lineup for me, Jelani produces a genre of music that’s bubbling up right now in London and it’s one I’m hooked on. This track really got me when it dropped last year — enjoy.

Jasmine Myra – “Rising”

There’s a timelessness to Jasmine Myra’s music. Blending elements of classical and jazz, she never overstates a line on this track, slowly layering her signature, undulating sax with a measuredness that we don’t often come across in a sax player. Thoughtful, elegant compositions for the deep listener.

Liv East – “Freak” 

I just love this track. A bassline like this can go one of two ways and Liv East keeps it effortlessly slick, staying firmly on the classy side of alt-RnB. This artist’s just emerging and I’ve got a good feeling about her.

Rebecca Vasmant – “Blessed” 

The beating heart of Glasgow’s vibrant music scene, Rebecca Vasmant never ceases to amaze me with her talents. Her upcoming album is a work of art from start to end and it was hard to choose a favourite track – but this one stole a little piece of my heart.

Marysia Osu ft. Plumm – “care to care”

Marysia Osu bathes the listener in dreamlike soupy mixes of sound that I just want to wallow around in. Her 2024 Harp, Beats & Dreams is a journey through the realms of spiritual jazz. Plumm’s exquisite vocals are so seamlessly interwoven on this track, they almost become one with the instruments.

ECHT! – “Cheesecake”

A great one to listen to if you’re feeling ragey! This Brussels-based quartet are ace and they’ve just released a banger of a new album which they’ll be premiering at Brick Lane Jazz Festival. If you’re into cathartic, bass-heavy experimental noisescapes, this one’s for you.

Ari Tsugi – “Hold Me Tight (抱きしめて)”

One of Glasgow’s most exciting emerging acts, the celebratory 10 piece that is Ari Tsugi, led by innately joyful bassist Mashu Harada, is a live experience not to be missed. The psychedelic ’70s-style reverb across the vocals on this track, paired with those hypnotic instrumental riffs, has me drifting into a blissful trance.

Laraaji – “Koto (Glimpse)”

At 81, legendary zither player and multi-instrumentalist Laraaji no longer tours, so it’s truly an honour to have him closing the festival for us this year. A visionary whose contributions to new age and modern classical music—epitomised in this track from his latest album— are nothing short of sublime. 

Footshooter, Natty Wylah, Brother Portrait – “Obelisk”

Had to squeeze in this banger for the road. Footshooter features on two of our DJ lineups this year, and this recently released track with Brick Lane Jazz Festival alumni Brother Portrait just really captures the Brick Lane sound for me. Get ready to stomp to some bass-heavy broken beats this April!