News
Entertainment
Science & Technology
Life
Culture & Art
Hobbies
News
Entertainment
Science & Technology
Culture & Art
Hobbies
Louis Stewart – ‘Louis the First’ (rec. 1975) – London Jazz News
Louis Stewart - Louis the First(Livia Records LRCD2401. CD review by Julian Maynard-Smith) Entitling your debut album as leader Louis the First could smack of hubris, given the kingly suggestion of a regnal name and number. But by 1975, when this recently dusted-down album was originally recorded, the Irish guitarist Louis Stewart already had the…
Grazina Pukaite Quartet: “My Favourite Things”, Bull’s Head, Barnes, 23 May. – London Jazz News
Soon after graduating from the Guildhall School of Music and Drama last autumn, with a Masters in Performance, vocalist and composer Grazina Pukaite released her debut recording, Small Sessions 1. She’s now preparing for a gig at the Bull’s Head in Barnes and spoke with UKJN about her approach to music and her plans for…
SNJO/ Makoto Ozone: Edinburgh/Glasgow/ Aberdeen, 3-5 May – London Jazz News
The Scottish National Jazz Orchestra revisits George Gershwin’s Rhapsody in Blue in concerts featuring Japanese piano virtuoso Makoto Ozone from Friday 3 to Sunday 5 May. Feature by Rob Adams Makoto Ozone. Photo credit: Yow Kobayashi_Yamaha The focus of the SNJO’s 2009 album, Rhapsody in Blue Live, Gershwin’s jazz age classic is being given a fresh re-orchestration…
Raph Clarkson and Equal Spirits – ‘Wise and Waiting’ – London Jazz News
Equal Spirits - Wise and Waiting(Ubuntu CD, Digital & Vinyl / UBU0157 Album review by Jon Turney) This Anglo-South African project builds on old jazz connections between the two countries to blend new music from both places into something fresh and rather inspiring. The brainchild of trombonist Raph Clarkson, the project has been a long…
Jazz at the 2024 BBC Proms – London Jazz News
Sebastian writes: A first look through the BBC Proms Press Release reveals a few jazz and jazz-related events (with extracts from the press release in inverted commas). Booking opens on 16 May. Link to Proms homepage below. 24 July Nick Drake: An Orchestral Celebration – Marking 50 years since the tragically early death of Nick…
James Hudson – ‘Moonray’ – London Jazz News
James Hudson Moonray(ECN Music. JH696970CD. Album review by Len Weinreich) ‘Moonray’ is vocalist James Hudson’s follow-up to his reportedly well-received debut album. His pleasant voice is pitched, unusually for a jazz singer, somewhere between low tenor and light baritone. His professed influences are Mel Tormé, Frank Sinatra, Nat ‘King’ Cole, and Sarah Vaughan, all stylistic…
EFG LJF 2024 (15-24 Nov). “First Wave” of shows announced – London Jazz News
In today's first of four monthly announcements, the EFG London Jazz Festival announces 24 shows for the first time today. Jamie Cullum's show at the RFH has already been announced and is sold out. LISTING Friday, 15 Nov Opening Gala: Jazz Voice - Royal Festival HallMeshell Ndegeocello - KOKOTord Gustavsen Trio - Cadogan Hall Saturday,…
Darius Brubeck Quartet at Jazz Café POSK, 11 May – London Jazz News
The Darius Brubeck Quartet (Darius Brubeck – piano, Dave O'Higgins – sax, Matt Ridley – bass, Wesley Gibbens – drums) will play at Jazz Café POSK, Saturday 11 May 2024, their first appearance at the Hammersmith venue. Preview/ interview Tomasz Furmanek (*) Darius Brubeck at Kings Place in 2018 . Photo credit: Monika S. Jakubowska…
Magnus Lindgren & John Beasley – ‘Butterfly Effect’ – London Jazz News
Magnus Lindgren & John Beasley - Butterfly Effect(ACT 9985-2. Album review by Julian Maynard-Smith) Swedish flautist / saxophonist / clarinettist Magnus Lindgren not only performed but also arranged for full orchestra on the last two ACT albums I reviewed (Jazz at Berlin Philharmonic XII – Sketches of Miles (2022) and Jazz at Berlin Philharmonic XIII:…
Mondays with Morgan: Andy Milne – new album with Unison, ‘Time Will Tell’ – London Jazz News
The following is an interview between jazz journalist Morgan Enos and pianist Andy Milne, who’s known as a solo artist as well as leader of the ensemble Dapp Theory. His new album Time Will Tell, which features his Unison trio, including bassist John Hébert and drummer Clarence Penn, will be released 26 April. Links to…
John Tchicai – ‘In Monk’s Mood’ (rec. 2008) – London Jazz News
John Tchicai - In Monk’s Mood (SteepleChase G1675. Album review from vinyl by Phil Johnson) The vinyl revival is helping to unearth some real treasures. I was previously unaware of the existence of this album first released in 2009, recorded in New York with a rhythm section of George Colligan, Steve LaSpina and Billy Drummond,…
Mothers in Jazz (89): Gian Slater – London Jazz News
Gian Slater is a prolific vocalist and composer with an approach that incorporates wordless singing and improvisation, songwriting; electronics and extended vocal techniques; new music and contemporary composition and collaborations with theatre and dance practitioners. She has released eight albums of her original music,and has featured on many projects and recordings for acclaimed Australian and…
Obituary: Michael Cuscuna (1948-2024) – London Jazz News
“Once it’s released, the music exists.” (Michael Cuscuna) Producer of new and archival recordings, radio presenter, writer, researcher, discographer, co-founder of Mosaic Records (which he ran for over forty years), winner of three Grammys and a Downbeat Lifetime Achievement in Recording award, Michael Cuscuna passed away on Saturday, April 20, Record Store Day. He was…
Smokin’ Hot Big Band. New album ‘Strictly Smokin’ and Friends’ – London Jazz News
The Strictly Smokin’ Big Band, the only ensemble of its kind in the North East of England, will launch its latest album Strictly Smokin’ and Friends with a live concert at The Fire Station, Sunderland on Friday 17 May 2024 with top UK jazz names including Bruce Adams, Alan Barnes and Paul Booth. “I like…
Fred Hersch – ‘Silent, Listening’ – London Jazz News
Fred Hersch: Silent, Listening (ECM 2799. Album review (*) by Phil Johnson) As you would probably expect, pianist Fred Hersch’s first solo album for ECM, recorded in May last year, is a quiet triumph. Following his recent duo recording for the label with trumpeter Enrico Rava, ‘The Song is You’, and using the same Lugano…
jazzahead! UK CLUBNIGHT at Tor 40, Bremen – London Jazz News
Betty Accorsi Trio, Tori Freestone and Alcyona Mick, Ilario Ferrari Trio, Mama Terra, Jam Session led by Aaron Liddard(UK CLUBNIGHT at jazzahead!, Tor 40, Güterbahnhof /Beim Handelsmuseum 9, 12 March 2024. Review by Lavender Sutton. Photos by band/audience members) Mama Terra The UK CLUBNIGHT! at JazzAhead was a highlight of the returned UK presence at…
Fundraiser for Anita Wardell launched following a ‘devastating stroke’ – London Jazz News
(Extract from fundraiser text, set up by Daniela Clynes) "We are setting up this crowd funding appeal to show our love and support for our dear friend, Anita Wardell; widely known and much loved in the UK & Australia (her home countries) plus the USA, Europe and many other countries, as a world class award…
Jim Snidero Quartet at Zig Zag Jazz Club Berlin – London Jazz News
Jim Snidero Quartet(Zig Zag Club, Friedenau, Berlin. 17 April 2024. Review by Sebastian Scotney) Bruno Montrone, Jim Snidero, Doug Weiss, Chris Smith. Phone snap. What a great little club: fabulous sound and a wonderfully attentive listening audience. Zig Zag is in Friedenau, a residential area about 5km south-west of Berlin’s other top club, the A-Trane…
Joe Lovano – Interview from Bergamo – London Jazz News
The artistic director for the Bergamo Jazz Festival 2024 was Joe Lovano, the tenor-saxophone titan whose recordings, awards, and posts on the faculties of the world’s most prestigious music schools are almost too long to list. He talks here about how he got involved in the festival, the challenges of curation, his exotic collection of…
Lucien Johnson – ‘Ancient Relics’ – London Jazz News
Lucien Johnson – Ancient Relics(Deluge Records. Album review by Bruce Lindsay) Sometimes, album and song titles make it pretty obvious what sort of sounds are going to be heard. Sometimes, things are less obvious. That’s the case with Lucien Johnson’s latest. Neither the album title, Ancient Relics, or track titles such as “Escape Capsule,” or…
17 April 2024 – London Jazz News
READ ELSEWHERE John Fordham’s album of the month in the Guardian is Grégoire Maret & Romain Collin’s Ennio (ACT) - read more ...also mentioned in his selection are Rachel Z (Dot Time), Lucien Johnson’s Ancient Relics (Deluge Records), and Black Lives’ People of Earth (Jammin’colorS) …also in the Guardian, Richard Williams remembers New Orleans singer…
Mothers In Jazz (88): Pyeng Threadgill – London Jazz News
Pyeng Threadgill is an American vocalist, composer, author, video artist and voice and movement teacher. As a vocalist/performer she creates what she calls New Porch Music based on the traditions of Black American Folk, Soul, Jazz and improvisational music. Pyeng uses these Porch Sessions to create connected conversations whereby audiences may reflect on their own…
Moritz Stahl – ‘Traumsequenz’ – London Jazz News
Moritz Stahl: Traumsequenz(Unit Records UTR5150. Album review by Frank Graham) There’s something about the career path of Munich-based saxophonist Moritz Stahl which speaks both to his great musical curiosity and patience. Gaining valuable experience as a member of the techno-influenced Jazzrausch Bigband, Stahl is also a regular collaborator with close friend Philipp Schiepek (guitar), pianist…
Staffordshire village gets its own jazz club – London Jazz News
While some well-established city jazz venues may be struggling to keep their doors open, here's an encouraging story from an unexpected corner of the country. Kings Bromley, a small village in Staffordshire, held its inaugural jazz club night in March and is gearing up for a programme of future gigs, starting with John Watson's Latin…
Mondays with Morgan: Obed Calvaire – new album ‘150 Million Gold Francs’ – London Jazz News
The following is an interview between jazz journalist Morgan Enos and drummer Obed Calvaire. His new album, 150 Million Gold Francs, was released 12 April. It features alto saxophonist Godwin Louis, keyboardists Harold St. Louis and Sullivan Fortner, guitarist Dener Ceide, and bassists Addi Lafosse and Jonathan Michel. Links to purchase the album, and to Calvaire’s…
LondonJazz News changes name to UK Jazz News – London Jazz News
Sebastian Scotney with jazzahead! CEO Sybille Kornitschky at the unveiling of the new name in Bremen, 12 April Sebastian writes: Over the course of the summer, London Jazz News will become UK Jazz News. The first step has been taken: we unveiled our new name branding at the jazzahead! conference in Bremen, where the banner…
Rewire Festival 2024 (Netherlands) – London Jazz News
Rewire Festival 2024 (Netherlands): Annea Lockwood, Autechre, Alabaster DePlume, Speakers Corner Quartet, Keeley Forsyth, Dialect, goat (jp), SUNN O))), The Sleep of Reason Produces Monsters (Various venues, The Hague, Netherlands, 4-7 April 2024. Festival Round-Up by AJ Dehany) Keeley Forsyth at Rewire © Alex Heuvink The Hague’s Rewire festival is a trusted bastion of the…
The Jazz Bar in Edinburgh suddenly announces closure – London Jazz News
Here is the full statement of the announcement of the "sudden closure" of The Jazz Bar, which has been central to the Edinburgh jazz community for decades (statement begins) "To our loyal patrons, musicians and friends. It is with a heavy heart that we announce the sudden closure of The Jazz Bar. We are extremely…
Guitarist Jakub Klimiuk: new album ‘(un)balanced’ / launch at Vortex, 1 May. – London Jazz News
Polish-born, now London-resident guitarist Jakub Klimiuk is making a mark on the scene here as a player since he graduated from the Guildhall last year. But as his soon-to-be released CD (un)balanced shows, he’s equally intent on developing as a composer. Feature by Jon Turney. Jakub Klimiuk. Photo credit Loreta Tale Both the playing side…
Mothers in Jazz (87): Andrea Keller – London Jazz News
Pianist Andrea Keller grew up in Sydney, Australia. Committed to creating new music with an emphasis on improvisation and collaboration, she has released twenty-three albums as bandleader and has recorded for others, including the Black Arm Band Company, the Australian Art Orchestra, and the Vanessa Perica Orchestra. Andrea has also been commissioned as a composer…
Matthew Shipp – ‘New Concepts in Piano Trio Jazz’ – London Jazz News
Matthew Shipp - New Concepts in Piano Trio Jazz(ESP-Disk ESP5085 . Album review by Tony Dudley-Evans) In the accompanying notes to the CD, Matthew Shipp makes the claim that this album is 'one of the greatest trio albums'. Is he justified? I think he is, certainly in the area of jazz piano trios: this is a…
Evan Parker at 80 at Cafe Oto – London Jazz News
Evan Parker at 80(Cafe Oto. 7 April 2024. First night. Review and drawings by Geoff Winston) Evan Parker. Drawing by Geoff Winston. All Rights Reserved The thing about Evan Parker is that he is constantly moving on. His music never stands still. He pushes himself to the limit, embracing a vast range of musical ventures…
Mondays with Morgan: Vince Mendoza and Douglas Marriner – Sir Neville Marriner centennial concerts in London, April 15-24 – London Jazz News
The following is an interview between jazz journalist Morgan Enos and composer, arranger and conductor Vince Mendoza, as well as drummer, composer and educator Douglas Marriner. Both are involved in four special concerts to honour the centenary of the Academy of St Martin in the Fields’ founder - and Marriner’s grandfather - the legendary conductor…
Shadowlands (Robin Fincker, Lauren Kinsella, Kit Downes) – ‘Ombres’ – London Jazz News
Shadowlands (Robin Fincker, Lauren Kinsella, Kit Downes) - Ombres(Budapest Music Centre Records BMC CD 327. Album review by Jon Turney) The PR sheet tells us this recording “combines folk and contemporary music in the spirit of European jazz”, and the trio involved are wonderfully well equipped to do that. French-born saxophonist Robin Fincker joins long-time…
‘Round Midnight (BBC Radio 3) – the first week – London Jazz News
‘Round Midnight, the new late-night jazz programme on BBC Radio 3, started last Monday. Jazz five nights a week is an apt – some might say overdue – acknowledgement by the national broadcaster of the importance of this musical form, and comes at a time when British jazz in particular is in something of a golden…
Remi Harris Hot Club Trio: on tour in April. – London Jazz News
Whether touring around the UK, or as one of the bands picked by Jamie Cullum for his showcase at the Montreal Jazz Festival in 2016, the Remi Harris Hot Club Trio wins over audiences. Much of their current tour is at or near the point of being sold out (list below). Their London date is…
Happy Birthday Evan Parker at 80 – London Jazz News
Evan Parker, one of the formative and transformative figures in the music of our time, celebrates his 80th birthday today, 5 April 2024. We (*) asked friends and colleagues to send birthday greetings: Evan Parker in 2005. Festival Ai Confini Tra Sardegna E Jazz Hotel Punta Giara, Sant’Anna Arresi, Sardinia. ©Ziga Koritnik Joshua Abrams: psi…
Big Band Metheny at Ronnie Scott’s – London Jazz News
Big Band Metheny (Ronnie Scott’s, 2 April 2024, review by Adam McCulloch) Martin Gladdish takes a solo during a previous concert by the band. Photo credit: Monika S. Jakubowska The enduring popularity of music by Pat Metheny and Lyle Mays provides a great opportunity for jazz musicians to play challenging tunes that appeal to a…
Video Interview with Norma Winstone (The Tea Hive Episodes 4 and 5) – London Jazz News
Sebastian writes: There is a magical moment at the end of Part Two of this interview which young singers Becky Alice and Rebecka Edlund did with Norma Winstone at her house in Kent. Just as Cezanne wrote of the wisdom gained by a lifetime of experience in his letters to Emile Bernard ("I owe you…
3 April 2024 – London Jazz News
READ ELSEWHERE Bill Milkowski remembers Michael Brecker on what would have been the saxophonist's 75th birthday - read more Pat Metheny announced a new solo guitar album being released on MoonDial this July - read more Marc Meyers of JazzWax writes about a forgotten Ben Webster LP from 1970 produced in the UK by Pete…