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The Coronet Theatre Jazz Festival 2026: Spirits And Healers

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An intimate EVENING of jazz INSPIRED BY THE PAINTINGS OF MALANGATANA

Trumpeter and composer Byron Wallen curates the fifth Coronet Theatre Jazz Festival, bringing together international artists for two evenings of music, with performances in the auditorium followed by late-night jazz in our candlelit bar.

Friday opens with a solo set by Wallen, responding to the paintings of Malangatana Valente Ngwenya through the sounds of shells, horns and flutes. Filled with human figures, animals and spirits, Malangatana’s paintings explore the relationship between everyday life and the unseen world.

Wallen draws on this imagery and the role of spirit mediums in Ronga traditions: diviners and healers who communicate with ancestors, addressing personal troubles and wider concerns within society. These connections between art, belief and daily life form the foundation for his performance.

For the second set, Wallen is joined by guests and additional musicians for an ensemble performance. The evening continues in our candlelit bar with a late-night set from emerging UK jazz musicians.

Further artists and programme details will be announced soon.

 

The Coronet Theatre Jazz Festival 2026: MODES AND MYSTICS

The festival continues on Saturday 12 December with a group set led by Byron Wallen, bringing together Arabic musical traditions and contemporary jazz. Tickets for Saturday are available here.

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Genre:

Music

Performance:

Fri 11 Dec; 7:30pm

(Also on Sat 12 Dec, find out more here)

Auditorium

Tickets:

£30, £20 standard

Up to 25% off for members

Concessions

Group Offer

Access Information

Genre:

Music

Performance:

Fri 11 Dec; 7:30pm

(Also on Sat 12 Dec, find out more here)

Auditorium

Tickets:

£30, £20 standard

Up to 25% off for members

Concessions

Group Offer

Access Information

Additional Information

Photos by Dimitri Djuric

 

Byron Wallen was raised in a musical family and as a child studied classical piano, euphonium, trumpet, flute and drums. In the mid 1980’s the trumpet became Wallen’s primary instrument of choice. Wallen’s first major work, Tarot Suite, (1994) was inspired by a love of mythology and symbolism, which reflected the archetypal journey of human life through an interdisciplinary pan-continental approach. Wallen’s study of cognitive psychology has aided his transition towards conceptualising music as a medium for healing. Wallen raises awareness and invokes change by unlocking boundaries through the nature and science of sound. Widely recognised as a seminal figure in Jazz, Wallen is an acclaimed writer and producer whose original scores have been commissioned by The London Science Museum; PRS For Music, The BBC, Jerwood Foundation, Southbank Centre, National Theatre, Arts Council, FIFA and Sage Gateshead. He has also composed soundscapes for Universal Pictures, Warner Bros and Game of Thrones. Wallen’s current PRS commission ‘Anthem for Woolwich’ forges new links between schools, venues, musicians and residents to strengthen the resilience and promote the cohesion of the community. Wallen has received the BBC Jazz Innovation award (2003) and has been nominated several times for the MOBO award.

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