Toulouse Lautrec Jazz Club successfully launches ‘The Jazz Ladder’ First Sets

Toulouse Lautrec Jazz Club successfully launches ‘The Jazz Ladder’ First Sets, announces autumn line-up and calls for new applicants

Following the successful launch of its live-scouting jam sessions in April, Toulouse Lautrec Jazz Club has officially kicked off the next phase of its Arts Council England-funded talent incubator, The Jazz Ladder. Last night marked the inaugural performance of the initiative’s ‘First Sets’ programme, with the Isaac Harari Trio taking the stage to support Evening In The Universe, delivering a highly expressive set blending contemporary jazz and Latin grooves.

With the ‘First Sets’ now actively underway, Toulouse Lautrec is proud to announce the next five paid support slots for the autumn season. These gigs provide musicians aged 18-25 with fair pay at Musicians’ Union rates, a high-quality video showreel and the opportunity to share the billing with established headline acts.

Upcoming ‘First Sets’ line-up:

• 24th September: Adam Roberts Trio (supporting Robin Phillips). A 1st class graduate of The Royal Birmingham Conservatoire, bass guitarist and composer Adam Roberts brings his trio to perform original compositions from his debut album Low Voltage. The set promises a seamless blend of sophisticated contemporary jazz harmonies, high-energy funk and expansive improvisation.
• 8th October: The Orbazoid (supporting Florence Joelle). Led by trombonist and synth player Dylan Orba, alongside Max Montenaro (guitar) and George Balmont (bass), The Orbazoid delivers a highly unique, genre-bending set. Rooted in jazz but heavily influenced by rock, psychedelic, and avant-garde sounds, the trio offers a boldly unconventional and unpredictable performance.
• 22nd October: Joe Baz Trio (supporting Aspyrian). London-based saxophonist Joe Baz, alongside bassist Edouard Le Feuvre and drummer Cian Burton, brings a fresh approach to the music of Billy Strayhorn, Thelonious Monk, and Cole Porter. The chordless trio reworks classic standards and lesser-heard gems through a modern, spacious, and adventurous musical lens.
• 5th November: Organised Chaos (supporting Tom Ford).  Guitarist Anchit Sengupta and bassist Herbie Rees dismantle the traditional guitar trio format. Drawing on jazz fusion, classic rock, EDM, and funk, Organised Chaos gives the electric bass unprecedented melodic freedom while the guitar locks down the groove, resulting in a highly dynamic, texture-rich set.
• 20th November: Klara Devlin Trio (supporting Riyoko Takagi Trio) Part of the EFG London Jazz Festival. A 2024 BBC Young Jazz Musician finalist, trumpeter Klara Devlin is rapidly establishing herself as a distinctive voice on the UK scene. For this special London Jazz Festival performance, she brings her lyrical expression and raw energy to a specially rearranged chordless trio setting, drawing heavily on bebop, blues, and free jazz.

Call for New Applicants: The Next Stage of The Jazz Ladder

As the first wave of ‘First Sets’ hits the stage, the Jazz Ladder Steering Group is already looking ahead. The independent panel will meet on 25th September to select the next round of ‘First Sets’ (support slots for 18-25 year olds) and the highly anticipated inaugural wave of ‘Spotlight Series’ (headline slots for breakthrough acts).

• To apply for the programme, musicians should complete the registration form
• To view the full calendar of Jazz Ladder Programme gigs and buy tickets, click here

About Supporting Grassroots Music 

Funded by the Department for Culture, Media and Sport as part of the UK Government’s Creative industries sector vision, £5 million has been invested to support Grassroots Music.

About Toulouse Lautrec Jazz Club 

Established in 2008, Toulouse Lautrec is an independent, family-owned jazz venue in Kennington, South London. With its distinctive red aesthetic, the club is inspired by Parisian cabaret culture while providing a modern platform for live jazz. It has earned a reputation as one of London’s most authentic and welcoming jazz destinations.