The British Council continues its partnership with the London Jazz Festival for a fifth successive year, bringing an international delegation to the UK for a specially programmed showcase of UK jazz from Thursday 17 – Sunday 20 November 2011.

The delegation brings together a variety of jazz professionals from a wide range of countries including Algeria, China, Egypt, Germany and Indonesia. They will get the chance to see live performances from the best of UK jazz, such as acclaimed saxophonist and composer Andy Sheppard, contemporary jazz group Portico Quartet, and the Scottish National Jazz Orchestra featuring virtuoso double bassist Arild Anderson. Whilst at the UK’s largest jazz festival, delegates will also attend a range of professional networking opportunities to create new links and strengthen existing relationships with the UK jazz scene and international music sector.

Highlights of this year's UK Showcase include:

Portico Quartet - Saturday 19 November  3pm & 7:45pm, Purcell Room, Southbank Centre

Beats and Pieces - Saturday 19 November  8pm, Kings Place

Stu Brown - Sunday 20 November  2pm, Purcell Room, Southbank Centre