Cardiff University Jazz Society was formed in October 2011 from the long-established Big Band Society. We offer students the opportunity to perform, listen to, and appreciate a variety of live jazz music. We run several ensembles that perform regularly throughout each academic year including: Big Band (auditioned), Womxn's Jazz Ensemble and Sax Choir. We also host a variety of joint ensembles with Music Society consisting of: Musical Theatre Ensemble, CU Singers and Percussion Ensemble.
We also run Jam Nights in multiple local venues including: Hoffi Coffi, Bootlegger, Porters and Coorporation Yard. These jam nights are open to all.
As a society, we go on tour each summer. Previous tours have included: Montreux Jazz Festival (2014), Ghent Jazz Festival (2015), Amsterdam (2016), Lake Geneva (2017), Prague (2018), Belgium (2019), North Sea Jazz Festival (2022) and Jazz of Vienne (2023, 2025).
Socials include pub trips after ensemble rehearsals, going to gigs around Cardiff and other jazz concerts/festivals. Collaborative events with other music-based societies includes the Music Ball with Music Society and Cardiff University Brass Band Society. Whether your interest is in the performance or appreciation of jazz music, this is the society for you!