Afrobeat pioneer and iconic drummer Tony Allen has been announced as this summer’s Ealing Jazz Festival headliner.

A leading force behind Fela Kuti’s band Africa ’70, Tony Allen has spent the past half a century at the epicentre of the international jazz scene. Once described by Brian Eno as “perhaps the greatest drummer who has ever lived”, he has influenced a range of artists across the musical spectrum, including Damon Albarn, Red Hot Chili Peppers’ Flea and Charlotte Gainsbourg. Allen will be joined by Mobo Award-winning jazz vocalist Zara McFarlane, hip hop-fusion jazz band Vels Trio, and jazz septet Nérija.

Also playing over the two-day event will be the award-winning composer and lyricist Gwyneth Herbert and Armed KwaLu, the trio of ambitious producer, arranger and instrumentalist Wu-Lu, industrious drummer Kwake Bass and keys genius Joe Armon-Jones, along with London-based 10-piece ensemble Dat Brass.

Tickets for the festival, which will take place in Ealing’s Walpole Park on 28-29 July are on sale here.

Listen to our Spotify playlist below for a feel of what to expect.