Today, Jazz re:freshed Outernational, the international showcasing partnership between Jazz re:freshed and British Underground, announce the lineup for their UK Jazz Showcase at this year’s SXSW, taking place on March 15 at The Flamingo Cantina

The line-up features Zola Marcelle, Amy Gadiaga, Knats, Femi Temowo, Mackwood and Werkha. 

This year marks the tenth anniversary of grassroots jazz organization Jazz re:freshed partnering with British Underground for a SXSW showcase. For more than two decades, Jazz re:freshed has been a driving force within the UK jazz scene, championing and elevating a diverse range of emerging and forward-thinking talent.

Celebrating a decade of greatness, this year’s SXSW showcase spotlights the very best of the UK jazz scene, bringing together a dynamic lineup of boundary-pushing artists.

• Zola Marcelle – A Zimbabwean-born, London-based multidisciplinary artist whose work is deeply informed by the past and infused with the present
• Amy Gadiaga – Parliamentary Jazz Awards Jazz Newcomer of the Year nominee, Best Independent Track at the AIM Independent Music Awards, Best Jazz Act at the MOBO Awards
• Knats – Parliamentary Jazz Awards Jazz Newcomer of the Year
• Femi Temowo – Slick guitar player who has played with Amy Winehouse, The Roots, George Benson, Dee Dee Bridgewater, Courtney Pine
• Mackwood – “UK music’s best kept secret” – Clash Magazine
• Werkha – Vibrant live sets blending live instrumentation, looping, and tightly packed samples

 “Our SXSW showcase has been a cornerstone of the Jazz re:freshed Outernational initiative since 2017 and we are very proud of the artists we’ve brought to Austin over the years. The 2026 cohort represents the strength and vitality of the UK scene right now. It’s amazing to see how well these musicians are doing, and we can’t wait to share their brilliance with SXSW once again.” Adam Moses, Director, Jazz re:freshed

“Since 2017 British Underground has been working with Jazz re:freshed to bring the UK’s vibrant new talent to international audiences at South by Southwest in Austin. Supported from the beginning by Arts Council England, this has been an incredible journey for everyone involved.  The Jazz re:freshed showcases have become a must-see event and have had a transformative effect on the UK jazz scene with many artists going on to launch long-term international careers.” Crispin Parry MBE, CEO, British Underground