Must See: London Jazz Festival, various venues

London bursts to life as the big hitters of jazz come out to play

Hancock solo: The Grammy-winner is a major draw at the 20th London Jazz Festival

The LJF launches with Guy Barker's Jazz Voice gala at the Barbican, while Armenian pianist Tigram, New Orleans trumpeter Terence Blanchard, and pianist Robert Mitchell (with Cuban violinist Omar Puente) also appear around the capital.

From thereon, hundreds of British and international acts will appear all over London, from Charlie Wright's in Hoxton to the Bull's Head in Barnes via the major venues. After a summer packed with cultural highlights, the LJF is its autumnal second wind, and it will blow hard.

Aside from the big-stage headliners – Herbie Hancock solo, Jack De Johnette with Don Byron – you'll find Damo Suzuki and 23 Skidoo at Village Underground, Soweto Kinch with his Dante-esque new album at the Albany in Deptford, or Tim Garland with musicians from South Korea at St James Piccadilly.

There are free stages, films, workshops, Q&As: a busy 10 days lies ahead for lovers of contemporary music.

020 7324 1880; londonjazzfestival.org.uk; Fri to 18 Nov