The announcement of Herbie Hancock (pictured) for a very special solo performance at the London Jazz Festival elevates the yearly jazz extravaganza to an unprecedented level with more big ticket names assembled for a jazz event in the UK than on any previous occasion. Renowned US pianist Marcus Roberts has also just been confirmed for this year's artist residency at Kings Place between 15-17 November, where he'll be exploring a variety of music including a tribute to Monk and the music of New Orleans.

The festival, which runs from 9-18 November and is held in association with BBC Radio 3 and sponsored by Jazzwise, already has tickets on sale for a mind boggling array of top talent, including Sonny Rollins, John McLaughlin’s 4th Dimension, Jan Garbarek, Brad Mehldau, Kurt Elling, Jim Hall and the Kenny Wheeler Big band, John Surman, and the Chick Corea/Christian McBride/Brian Blade band. To this mind-boggling roster is now added the Hancock show on 12 November at the Royal Festival Hall, where he will be playing a solo piano concert featuring both new material and a career retrospective.

Also just added are the Portuguese singer Carminho on 13 November (Purcell Room); Flavio Coelho from Brazil on 15 November (Purcell Room); Jack DeJohnette playing a special 70th birthday concert with a quintet featuring Don Byron on 16 November (Queen Elizabeth Hall); A Michael Garrick Tribute concert on 17 November afternoon (Purcell Room); Tribute To Joe Harriott with Gary Crosby and the Nu Civilisation Orchestra on 17 November evening (Purcell Room); David Murray Big Band & Macy Gray - Stompin and Singin’ The Blues on 18 November (Barbican).

Tickets are now on sale for all these concerts from www.londonjazzfestival.org.uk

– Jon Newey