DIFC unveils Grammy-nominated headliners for third edition of Jazz Avenue

Dubai International Financial Centre (DIFC), a key cultural and lifestyle hub in Dubai, has unveiled the line-up of award-winning artists set to take centre stage at the third edition of the popular Jazz Avenue. Held in collaboration with Jass Lounge and sponsored by ICD Brookfield Place, the live performances by internationally renowned jazz musicians will take place at Gate Avenue 1, (Podium Level), every Friday and Saturday from 31 January to 22 February. 

The latest edition of Jazz Avenue follows the success of the previous two events that drew huge crowds to the chic venue. Complemented with food and beverages from DIFC’s finest restaurants including Love Vibe, Bite Me and Lulu & The Beanstalk, guests can experience four weekends of soulful music, reflecting the vibrancy of DIFC as the city’s finest cultural hotspot. 

Weekend 1 (31 January - 1 February) will see Dayme Arocena, a powerhouse of Afro-Cuban jazz, celebrated for her soulful vocals and innovative fusion of Afro-Cuban rhythms, jazz and contemporary styles. With a Latin Grammy nomination for Song of the Year for her 2024 album Alkemi, the award-winning ambassador of Cuban music and culture is known to bridge tradition and modernity through her art.

Acclaimed Brazilian singer and composer Vanessa Moreno takes centre stage on Weekend 2 (7 - 8 February) along with celebrated jazz singer Emma Smith. Moreno is known for her blend of MPB (popular Brazilian music), jazz and contemporary influences. A leading figure in contemporary Brazilian music, she showcases her innovative vocals and rhythmic improvisations in her albums Cores Vivas (2016) and Solar (2023). Smith who started her career at 14, became the female vocalist for the National Youth Jazz Orchestra and went on to study at the Royal Academy of Music. A finalist in the prestigious Montreux Jazz Festival Competition, Emma’s acclaimed solo album Meshuga Baby (2022) highlights her artistic range. In addition to her jazz career, she is also a BBC Radio 3 broadcaster and professor of jazz voice at the Guildhall School of Music & Drama.

Legendary British soul singer, songwriter and actor Omar Lye-Fook MBE, known for the timeless hit There’s Nothing Like This (1991) will be in focus on Weekend 3 (14 - 15 February). A pioneer in neo-soul, his latest work, The Anthology, celebrates his rich musical legacy, a blend of soul, jazz and funk with global acclaim. 

Weekend 4 (21 - 22 February) will have Grammy-nominated singer Jazzmeia Horn, showcasing her powerful vocal range and innovative interpretation of jazz. A leading voice in modern jazz, the multi-award-winning musician’s albums including A Social Call (2017) and Love & Liberation (2019) earned Grammy nominations for Best Jazz Vocal Album. 

With a capacity to host 300 people per day, table bookings for 2, 4, 6, 8 people at Jazz Avenue are available for AED 175 per person for General Seating and AED 225 per person for VIP bookings. Held in association with Dubai Calendar,The Ritz-Carlton as its Hospitality Partner, doors to Jazz Avenue open at 7pm for the performance starting at 8pm and concluding by 11pm. Tickets are available on Platinumlist. Check out the full calendar of jazz performances here: https://www.difc.ae/whats-on/events/jazz-avenue-brought-to-you-by-jass-lounge

DIFC is easily accessible by Dubai Metro with the Financial Centre Metro Station a 3-minute walk away.