"What a brilliant club" - Forbes 2025
THE VERDICT
APPJAG Jazz Venue of the Year 2024
The Verdict is a multi award winning grass roots music venue, the only full time Jazz venue outside of London in the south of England, it has been named as one of the best jazz clubs in the World by Star Insider. Weekly hosting the best in jazz music with Top International acts, playing blues, swing, funk, Latin Jazz and fusion.
The Verdict Jazz Club: Summer Hiatus 2025
As the long days of summer roll in, The Verdict Jazz Club is taking a brief but intentional pause. From July 4th to September 27th, 2025, the club will temporarily close its doors for a summer hiatus—allowing space for renewal, rest, and preparation for an exciting new season of world-class jazz.
This short break follows an incredible year for The Verdict, which has solidified its place as one of the top jazz venues in the UK—and indeed the world. Named APPJAG Jazz Venue of the Year 2024, and frequently praised by publications like Forbes and The Guardian, the Brighton-based venue continues to attract top-tier musicians and passionate audiences from across the globe. Under the dynamic leadership of drummer and curator Tristan Banks, the club has grown into a creative hub that balances local talent with international excellence.
The summer hiatus is not just a chance for the team to recharge; it’s also a strategic moment to fine-tune the venue itself. Light renovations, sound tweaks, and bar improvements are all on the agenda—ensuring the audience experience is more immersive than ever come autumn. It’s also a well-earned breather for the staff and the volunteer crew who pour their hearts into making every night at The Verdict something special.
Fans of the club need not worry—this is far from a goodbye. The Verdict will return with renewed energy, reopening with a celebratory show featuring an all-star house band and special guest performers. A full autumn programme is in the works, with highlights including emerging UK jazz voices, international legends, and genre-crossing collaborations that continue to push the boundaries of live performance.
During the hiatus, The Verdict will remain active online. Patrons are encouraged to subscribe to the club’s newsletter, follow along on social media, and explore the upcoming events calendar already posted for the rest of 2025.
This pause is not an ending—it’s a tuning-up. After all, every great performance needs a rest between movements. The Verdict Jazz Club will return soon, refreshed and ready to bring even more unforgettable nights of live jazz to Brighton.
Stay in touch, and we’ll see you in the autumn for the next great chapter.
Recent Accolades
"The current success of The Verdict Jazz Club in Brighton is largely thanks to drummer and passionate promoter Tristan Banks, who has been running the venue and curating its programme since 2021. Under his leadership, the club launched its acclaimed “Lockdown Sessions” during the pandemic—weekly live-streamed concerts that built a global audience and maintained momentum until live shows returned" .
Tristan’s commitment is widely recognized: Jazzwise magazine noted he “runs” the club and spearheaded a crowdfunding campaign to secure its future amid rising costs . He also takes charge of programming international level acts across styles—swing, blues, fusion—helping The Verdict win multiple awards, including APPJAG Jazz Venue of the Year 2024, and acclaim from Forbes to it being called “one of the best jazz clubs in the world” .
Key Contributions:
• Innovative live-streamed concerts during lockdown under his direction, drawing worldwide attention.
• Crowdfunding initiative to sustain then grow the club’s artistic and community mission .
• Curated programming that consistently brings top-tier international jazz talent.
• Visionary leadership recognized through multiple prestigious awards and glowing press reviews.
In short, while it’s always a team effort, Tristan Banks deserves prime credit for guiding The Verdict from a local jazz venue to an award-winning, internationally respected hub.