Name: Marcus Bunton Trio
Start: 2026-01-31T19:30:00+00:00
End: 2026-01-31T22:30:00+00:00
Location: Verdict Jazz

The Marcus Bunton Trio is led by pianist, composer and bandleader Marcus Bunton, one of the most compelling young voices currently emerging on the UK jazz scene. Despite his youth, Marcus has already built a reputation for musical maturity, originality and fearless creativity, marking him out as a musician to watch. Currently studying jazz at the Purcell School of Music, he represents a new generation of British jazz artists combining deep technical grounding with a strong personal voice.
Marcus first developed his craft through Brighton’s highly regarded New Generation Jazz programme, where he was immersed in ensemble playing, composition and improvisation at an early stage. Wider public recognition followed when he became a finalist on Channel 4’s The Piano, where his distinctive approach to harmony and storytelling at the keyboard stood out. Since then, he has performed at a growing list of major venues and festivals, including Love Supreme Festival, Watford Jazz Junction and Brighton Jazz Festival, steadily building a national profile.
At the heart of Marcus’s music is a restless curiosity. Drawing on his parallel studies in jazz piano, trumpet and composition, his writing explores adventurous harmonic language, shifting and asymmetrical time signatures, and richly layered textures. These elements are balanced by a strong melodic sensibility, ensuring the music remains direct, expressive and emotionally engaging. Influences from contemporary jazz sit alongside classical structure and an improvisational openness that allows each performance to evolve in the moment.
Following the release of his second album, Marcus brings this evolving sound to The Verdict, a venue renowned for championing both established artists and emerging talent. He is joined by his regular trio collaborators: Harry Laws on drums and Joe Snelling on bass. Together, the trio demonstrates a deep musical rapport, combining rhythmic precision, dynamic interplay and a shared commitment to exploration.
For this special performance, the trio is joined by guest saxophonist Julien Hadwen, adding an extra dimension to the group’s sound. Expect a set that is bold, imaginative and full of energy — music that pushes boundaries while remaining grounded in the spirit of modern jazz. This promises to be an exciting evening showcasing a young artist at a pivotal moment in his development.