What’s On previews Dubai Jazz Festival Urban Sessions, a series of smaller live jazz concerts in Dubai at the likes of Jazz@PizzaExpress.

As well as headline concerts at Dubai Media City Amphitheatre, featuring James Blunt, Sting and John Legend, the Dubai Jazz Festival is taking the genre to the masses with a series of special jams around town. A number of restaurants and bars are hosting live jazz performances, all as a complement to your dinners and drinks.

Trader Vic’s
The Souk Madinat branch has Cuban jazz from the group Habana Bit.

Souk Madinat Jumeirah, Waterfront, Dubai. Tel: (04) 3665646. Taxi: Madinat. tradervics.com

Jazz@Pizza Express
The JLT restaurant has live music every night from February 13 to 27 at 8.30pm. Laura Ainsley kicks it off on the 13th, along with the Oliver Sean band. On February 24 the Pete Long Quartet play the venue with special guest Georgina Jackson. Long is the musical director of the famous Ronnie Scott’s jazz band in London and has played with Jools Holland’s Rhythm And Blues Orchestra, as well as Dizzy Gillespie.

Cluster A, JLT, Dubai. Tel: (04) 4416342. Metro: JLT. pizzaexpressuae.com

Dubai Jazz Festival Urban Sessions

Up On The Tenth
Jazz and soul from resident band Unexpected at the Radisson Blu on the creek, Monday to Wednesday from 10pm.

Radisson Blu Hotel, Deira Creek, Dubai. Tel: (04) 2057033. Metro: Al Rigga. radissonblu.com/hotel-dubaideiracreek

Frankie’s
The JBR Italian restaurant has jazz from Kevin And Donovan (Tue to Sat, above) and singer Cassandra (Sun and Mon, below).

Oasis Beach Tower, JBR, Dubai. Tel: (04) 3994311. Metro: JLT. rmalhospitality.com