Saturday 15 November 2025
Rob Luft is undeniably one of the most exciting jazz guitarists in Europe of his generation. Hailing from London, this award-winning virtuoso has garnered comparisons to legends such as John McLaughlin, Paco De Lucia & Kurt Rosenwinkel.
Line up:
Rob Luft - electric guitar
Coren Sithers - tenor saxophone
Will Sach - double bass
Corrie Dick – drums and percussion
Rob Luft is a true rising star, possessing a rare combination of talent as a guitarist, band-leader, composer, and captivating communicator. His debut album, "Riser," released in 2017, made an enormous impact on the domestic and European jazz scenes, and was listed as one of Downbeat Magazine’s best albums of the year. Winning the prestigious Kenny Wheeler Jazz Prize propelled Luft's career, and at just 23 years old, he presented a collection of originals showcasing a remarkable instrumental sound and compositional voice that reflected his individuality. His camaraderie with bandmates and their exceptional interplay added depth to the sound-world of the album. Luft's joy in music-making, humility, and ability to connect with other musicians quickly made him one of the most sought-after instrumentalists to emerge from the UK in recent years. With his second album, "Life Is the Dancer," he continued to enchant audiences with his warm and joyous sound.
His highly anticipated third album, "Dahab Days," showcased Rob Luft's continuous artistic growth and musical exploration. Released on Edition Records, the album marked another significant milestone in his career. Luft's selection as a BBC Radio 3 New Generation Artist, along with his collaborations on ECM Records with UK jazz legend John Surman & Albanian vocalist Elina Duni, have further solidified his reputation and expanded his reach throughout Europe.
Rob Luft's journey as a jazz guitarist has been nothing short of remarkable. Praised by The Times for his performances with the National Youth Jazz Orchestra, he quickly gained recognition as a musician destined for greatness. His accolades include the prestigious 2016 Kenny Wheeler Prize from The Royal Academy of Music and 2nd Prize in the 2016 Montreux Jazz Guitar Competition, adjudicated by guitar great John McLaughlin. Critics and audiences alike were captivated by his debut album, and he received nominations for several awards, including "Breakthrough Act" in the 2018 Jazz FM Awards and "Instrumentalist of the Year" in both the 2018 Parliamentary Jazz Awards and the 2019 Jazz FM Awards.
Video 1 (“One Day in Romentino” – live at NQ Jazz): https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=J0kq5Af_Aj4
