Jazz is like Marmite. You either love it or you hate it. But, whether the inimitable sound of Miles Davies sends you reaching for your pork pie hat or running for the door, there is no denying that this great musical tradition is once again cool, and for clarification you need look no further than anarchic jazz outfit Led Bib, who were nominated for this year’s Mercury Prize. But long before the Walthamstow band were even a twinkle in the judging panel’s eye, the London Jazz Festival (LJF) was paying homage to this renowned genre, and this month sees the annual celebration, now in its 18th year, bring a huge cross-section of international and British stars to the capital’s venues.

Camden, where what is now the LJF first started, will be alive with finger-clicking jazz for the ten-day festival, which starts on Friday.

Not surprisingly, The Jazz Café will welcome a stellar line-up, with the dynamic Latin-flavoured sound of Dutch group, New Cool Collective, kicking off proceedings on Friday. Fellow native Wouter Hamel will also bring his mix of suave Beach Boys-esque harmonies, pounding rock beats and swinging jazz funk grooves to the stage on Saturday, November 21.

A new Camden venue, The Forge, makes a big splash with a fit-to-burst programme, featuring a must-see performance from award-winning pianist Nikki Iles and the Stan Sulzmann Quartet on Sunday, November 22.

In Highgate, a ‘truly unique artist’, Carol Grimes, will celebrate the life of Oscar Brown Jnr, at Lauderdale House on Thursday, November 19, and The Red Hedgehog will also see a performance from Mercury-nominated jazz pianist Zoe Rahman on Saturday, November 14. Drawing on her Bengali heritage, Zoe’s highly personalised style has won both critical and popular acclaim.

Hans Koller Big Band will also make an appearance at The Oxford in Kentish Town on Monday, November 16. A driving force on the European jazz scene, pianist/composer Koller promises to lead this heavyweight band of today’s leading players in an engaging, intense and energetic display.

By no means an extensive list, this is just a snapshot of the wonderful plethora of events on offer. So, whether it’s pop, soul, funk or blues, the LJF is one eclectic, multi-layered Marmite sandwich that can be enjoyed by all.

Reader Offer The Forge is offering readers two free tickets each for the following gigs: Nick Ramm, Sunday, November 15; Michael Mwenso, Thursday, November 19 and Tom Cawley, Sunday, November 22.

For tickets email contact@forgevenue.org stating your name, address, contact number and which concert you want to see. Winners will be picked on a first come, first served basis.

The London Jazz Festival runs from Friday, November 13 to Sunday, November 22. For more details visit www.londonjazzfestival.org.uk