The POSK Festival of Jazz Voice returns on the first weekend of October 2026 to celebrate the excellence, beauty, and innovation that the great singers of jazz embody!
During the 3rd edition the festival, you will be able to hear some of those outstanding voices in their element.
Let's celebrate again the broad and abundant vocal excellence in London, together at Jazz Café POSK during the weekend of 2nd and 3rd of October 2026!
Friday 2 October 2026:
Set 1: MARTA MATHEA RADWAN
Set 2: MANUELA PANIZZO
Set 3: CLEVELAND WATKISS
Set 4: ROSIE FRATER-TAYLOR
SET 1 (8 pm): MARTA MATHEA RADWAN Trio
For this special event, Polish award-winning conductor, vocalist, and workshop leader Marta Radwan and her trio present a curated selection from the American and Polish Jazz Songbooks, each piece reimagined through their artistic lens. Expect an intimate performance, where the timeless melodies of the American songbook meet Polish melancholy, Slavic expression, and a personal sense of musical storytelling.
Line up: Marta Mathea Radwan - vocal; Anita Łazińska – piano; Mark Elton - bass
Video 1 (Marta Mathea Radwan: “Droga na południe”): https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IhYZ6R2b8WA&list=RDIhYZ6R2b8WA&start_radio=1
SET 2 (8:40 pm): MANUELA PANIZZO Jazz Quartet
Manuela Panizzo is a leading jazz-soul singer originally from Italy, who has performed with the likes of the late Amy Winehouse, Chaka Khan, George Duke and more. This powerhouse vocalist and songwriter boasting a 3-octave range is renowned for her eclectic vocal style which combines jazz, soul, and Latin influences. Manuela is a lead singer for the Amy Lives Project, the authentic band that toured and recorded with Amy Winehouse. Tonight, the artist will present her condensed version of 'Sonic Oasis with the Great Ladies of Jazz’ journey honouring the legendary women who influenced Manuela’s style: the deeply emotional phrasing of Billie Holiday, the operatic brilliance of Sarah Vaughan, the scat improvisation of Ella Fitzgerald, the sophisticated storytelling of Carmen McRae, the smooth tone and rhythms of Elis Regina, and the contemporary, avant-garde vocal virtuosity of Rachelle Ferrell.
Line up: Manuela Panizzo - vocal; Aleph Aguiar – guitar; Mirko Scarcia - bass; Tom Potter - drums
Video 1 (Manuela Panizzo with Gianluca Mosole – live): https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QpPuoJf7FF4
SET 3 (9:30 pm): CLEVELAND WATKISS with Trio and solo
Cleveland Watkiss MBE is a British virtuoso vocalist, actor and composer, and one of the co-founders of the vastly influential Jazz Warriors big band. His amazing vocal experiences have seen him perform with many diverse artists from around the world. Recently, building on the formidable strength and range of his solo performances with VocalSuite, the artist has formed a quartet showcases another side of his extraordinary vocal talent. Cleveland’s rare ability to improvise like any instrument makes him a true frontman, but he is also able to incorporate his sound melodically, harmonically and rhythmically with bass and drums in a way that both complements and extends the musical dimensions of the conventional jazz quartet format. Tonight we will have a rare chance to admire this extraordinary vocal artist both with his new special trio and the mesmerizing perfection of his solo performances.
“Watkiss has been acknowledged as one of the world’s most outstanding male jazz singers” - The Guardian
“A jazz legend” – Telegraph
“The Sonny Rollins of the Human Voice” - Time Out
"Wasn't he awesome? What it takes us six to do he does all by himself” - Take 6
Line up: Cleveland Watkiss – vocals; Nnachi Cole – piano; Hass Zoubir – d.bass; Ellis Gates - drums
Video 1 (SUNANDBASS 2013 – Cleveland Watkiss “History Session”): https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HrMulYc3eyE
SET 4 (10:20 pm): ROSIE FRATER-TAYLOR Duo
Rosie Frater-Taylor is one of the most electrifying forces in contemporary crossover music: virtuoso guitarist, compelling vocalist and songwriter of striking emotional depth. Recently celebrated by Gilles Peterson (6music), Led Zepplin’s Jimmy Page following her standout performance at the opening of London’s flagship Gibson Garage and Seal, who called her “the most exciting and original artist since Amy Winehouse”. Having just signed with iconic German record label ACT, Rosie will be performing intimate versions of songs from her acclaimed albums ‘Bloom & Featherweight’ (over 5 million streams) and previewing new unreleased material. Blending jazz guitar roots with rock, alt-pop, neo-soul, folk and new-school jazz, Rosie crafts a sound entirely her own. Rosie has shared the stage with Madison Cunningham, John Scofield, Michael League and Bill Laurance. Tonight, appearing with top UK percussionist and producer Steve Taylor.
“Luscious Sounds” - BBC London
“Featherweight is the best album I’ve heard in a long time… Rosie is the most exciting artist I’ve heard since Amy Winehouse” – Seal
Line up: Rosie Frater-Taylor – vocals and guitar; Steve Taylor – drums and percussion
Video 1 (Rosie Frater-Taylor – „Stop Running” - live): https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SaVF7_cCHgs&list=RDSaVF7_cCHgs&start_radio=1
More information about artists here:
Marta Mathea Radwan: www.mmradwan.com
Manuela Panizzo: www.manupanizzomusic.com
Cleveland Watkiss: www.clevelandwatkiss.net
Rosie Frater-Taylor: www.rosiefratertaylor.com
