Canary Wharf Jazz Festival: five reasons to go

No we don’t mean that it’s scary free jazz, but rather that going along costs nothing, nada, zero, zilch. Friday’s first act is on at 7pm, while the Saturday and Sunday programmes start from 1.30pm and continue through till late evening. Pop along for just one act, a whole day or the full weekend in the family-friendly setting of Canada Square Park in the heart of Docklands. The first day of the festival features sets from high-octane threesome Roller Trio and game-changing jazz and hip hop MC/altoist Soweto Kinch (pictured, above). Saturday is perfect for checking out some of London’s top jazz musicians, like freewheeling saxophonist Nat Facey, formidable trio Troyka and beatsy outfit Soothsayers. The last day of the festival begins with the thoughtful and considered piano work of pianists Zoe Rahman and Herbie Hancock-esque Jason Rebello, and closes with sets from fine vocalists Ian Shaw and Carleen Anderson.