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Four years after their debut, Paradise Cinema return with another genre blending project on ‘returning, dream’. This eight-track set features many of the hallmarks of that 2020 album, with dense West-African polyrhythms, cycling drones and a penchant for blending sounds [...]
Irish bassist, educator and composer Ronan Guilfoyle remembers “one of the true greats of jazz”, Benny Golson. Sad to hear about the passing of the legendary Benny Golson, one of the true greats of jazz. I was privileged to play [...]
Steel-pannist, composer and keyboardist Mark Cherrie is steeped in the Trinidad-jazz tradition through family ties (dad Ralph was one of the leading early lights of the Notting Hill Carnival) and work for many years with much-missed pianist/pan master Russ [...]
Chris Biscoe worked closely with Tony Haynes for fifty years. In this tribute he delves into his own memories of an inspiring musical leader, and has also collected short tributes from several Grand Union/ Red Brass colleagues, such as Tony [...]
The following is jazz journalist Morgan Enos’s interview with vibraphonist, composer, arranger, and producer Simon Moullier. His new album Elements of Light, released 20 September, features his quartet – pianist Lex Korten, bassist Rick Rosato, and drummer Jongkuk “JK” Kim [...]
Joel Frahm is one of the world’s most accomplished saxophonists, recognisable early in his career for a style akin to Johnny Griffin, and later praised for his work in singer Jane Monheit’s band as well as for collaborations with the [...]
‘So nice to see a busy room,’ said pianist and composer Claire Cope after her eleven-piece ensemble had played their first piece, the eponymous ‘Every Journey (Has a New Beginning)’ from her second album Every Journey, due for release in [...]
Cat Henry is a British-American creative producer specializing in the visioning and planning of concerts, tours, and public programs. Curator of jazz programs for Hudson Hall, she previously curated concerts for MoMA Summergarden: New Music for New York, from 2005-2015, [...]
Bozcaada Jazz Festival has taken place since 2017 on a small island which is about 5 hours by car – plus a 30 minute ferry ride – from Istanbul. Just a few minutes outside the island’s main town, it has [...]
This second recording from violinist Arun Ramamurthy’s trio sees him stretching himself compositionally, the set centring on a four-part suite which explores the Brooklyn-born player’s Indian roots. Although raised in the US (New Jersey), Ramamurthy is steeped in the Carnatic [...]
Patricia Brennan is a vibes and marimba player originally from Veracruz in Mexico who has spent the last 20 years in the USA. For her latest album she has added three horns – trumpeter Adam O’Farrill and saxophonists, Jon Irabagon [...]
Among aficionados of contemporary UK jazz, Raffy Bushman is something of a cult figure. He has developed a serious reputation, particularly among other musicians, having been musical director of the influential Unit 31, a precursor to the likes of the [...]
Halfway through this excellent show at The Lighthouse, drummer and composer Tristan Banks takes time out to regale the audience with a tale about the baião Brazilian beat he’d just played on “Cidade Alta”, one of many standout tracks on [...]
Fabled British singer Elaine Delmar‘s first album in several years, Speak Low (as Elaine writes on the liner note) “is a selection of my favourite songs, arranged by some of my wonderful colleagues and collaborators past and present”. A fine [...]
Celebrated Norwegian sax maestro Marius Neset and his compatriot classical pianist Leif Ove Andsnes here unite their skills to create an exciting hybrid, composed music that sounds improvised. That’s most evident on the title track of their album, Who We [...]
London Intercollegiate Jazz Orchestra(The Vortex, 17 September 2024. Review by Tom Hardy) Tuesday 17 September presented an exciting new venture by one of London’s most recently formed big bands, Finn Genockey’s London Intercollegiate Jazz Orchestra. The band unites the talents [...]
Artists: * Han Bennink, Ingrid Laubrock, Marta Warelis* Christophe Monniot /Didier Ithursarry* Kuhn Fu (Christoph Kühn, Tobias Delius, Frank Gratkowski, John Dikeman, Ziv Taubenfeld)* Julie Sassoon Quartet with Lothar Ohlmeier, Rudy Fischerlehner, Meinrad Kneer* Max Andrzejewski, Camila Nebbia /James Banner [...]
Sebastian writes: The Season Press Launch today at the Southbank Centre contained an announcement that the Montreux Jazz Festival will be embarking on its first partnership in the UK. The first manifestation of this initiative will be an exploration of [...]
Be warned. If you’re the sort of fan who prefers jazz performances in-your-face bristling with high octane aggression, go elsewhere. Because, when two veteran virtuosi, Alan Barnes on a selection of reeds and David Newton on piano (combined ages totalling [...]
This debut release by the sui generis trio of Alice Zawadzki (voice, violin), Fred Thomas (piano, vielle, drums) and Misha Mullov-Abbado (double bass) is an enticing yet resolutely high-toned survey of songs from varying traditions, including the lost language of [...]
The only item lacking was a sign warning the capacity audience to fasten seat belts. Because, when Guy Barker introduced his new musical extravaganza, explaining that his magnum opus (dialogue by his chum, writer Rob Ryan) had been inspired by [...]
Jane Deppa of Grand Union has sent us sad news. “With deep sorrow we announce the death of Tony Haynes, Grand Union’s Composer and Creative Director for over 40 years. We feel honoured to have worked with him, and to [...]
Sometimes it feels like the history of jazz is propelled solely by innovators and entrepreneurs, a series of formidable iconoclasts who stand like beacons whilst lesser musicians, commonly known as “great players”, emulate and accumulate. Historians often favour that kind [...]
“‘The song’ is still at the heart of everything I do, and one of the greatest joys of my life is when I am required to arrange new repertoire – to frame songs in such a way that the listener [...]
London-based guitarist and composer Billy Marrows has a knack for choosing song names. His debut album, named for his late mum Penelope (Penny), is full of great ones, each with a story behind it. ‘Be Right Bold’, for instance, is [...]
Jazzfest Berlin started in 1964, and has announced the full programme for its “Jubiläumsausgabe” (Jubilee Edition). As the release states: “The past, present and future also interact in the diverse concert programme of the anniversary edition, and over the four [...]
Brown’s Hotel has been called the jewel in the crown of luxury hotels in London. …and on Tuesdays to Thursday evenings from 1 October to 19 December, its welcoming Drawing Room, which is normally known as one of the poshest [...]
The following is jazz journalist Morgan Enos’ interview with trumpeter, composer and bandleader Marquis Hill. Hill’s new album, Composers Collective: Beyond the Jukebox, was released 30 August. It features Hill’s core quintet: vibraphonist Joel Ross; pianist Michael King; bassist Junius [...]
The Winner of the Musicians’ Company Tina May Young Jazz Musician of the Year Competition 2024, held at Pizza Express Dean Street last night, was pianist Nico Widdowson, originally from Leeds. The other Finalists were:Kieland Sheard bassMatt Holmes drumsHelena Kay [...]
Ulysses Owens Jr. is a drummer, educator and producer. As a bandleader, he has performed internationally and recorded albums with big bands and smaller ensembles. His most recent album, “A New Beat”, features his Generation Y quintet and is modelled [...]
