It’s around this time in the month of November that jazz fans from around the country are looking to organise their schedules, book trains and sort out which shows in the 2024 EFG London Jazz Festival they’ll be attending.
The choices are staggering, and overwhelming, some might say, but with this highlight on a well known special venue, the daunting task can be made a little bit easier for jazz lovers to veer away from the big concert halls to hear something equally great. Also, as an arts council supported venue and an overall ethos towards making theatre and music accessible, their ticket prices are extremely reasonable and they even offer discounted tickets for students and MU members.
The Cockpit, located near Marylebone station, advertises itself as a “theatre of ideas and disruptive panache” and while they host a myriad of different events from workshops to festivals to new works, their “Jazz in the Round” series has been one of the longest standing and most successful elements of their programme. Started in 2015, and hosting shows for the LJF since 2016, they have become a stalwart venue to hear anything from emerging artists to legends, large ensembles to intimate solo performances and new collaborations to reunions.
This year, the programme is as eclectic as ever. 7 shows on offer, every night except Monday 18 November.
- Sunday 17th November – Chiminyo Presents: Uniri
Uniri, a term coined by chiminyo, means “one unified dream” and really encapsulates his approach to crafting this extraordinary musical venture. It is a psychedelic, synth-laden, groove machine that taps into the vibrant influences of the Beat and Jazz scene, crafting a distinctive interpretation that is unmistakably unique. This gig features chiminyo on drums, Alex Wesson on synths, Al Macsween on synths and Luke Wynter on bass.
- Tuesday 19th November – Songwriters in the Round
Photo credits (in order): David Mensah / Supreme Standards / Amy Lauffer Neff / Harriet Kerswell / Liam Prior
A showcase of some of the city’s finest jazz and jazz-adjacent vocalists, instrumentalists and songwriters presented by London-based artist and frontwoman of 10:32, Bridget Walsh. Artists Isobella, Sofia, Momoko, Inês and Bridget will take us on a free-flowing journey, reimagining each others’ songs and holding space to explore their original music with new voices, new arrangements and new instrumentation.
- Wednesday 20th November – Jazz On The Box
Jazz 625 ran from 1964 to 1966 and was the most iconic jazz programme on BBC TV. For the 60th anniversary, this is a tribute featuring Robert Mitchell on piano, Jean Toussaint on saxophone, Larry Bartley on bass and Rod Youngs on drums. As well, legendary UK bass player Dave Green, one of the only people still alive who appeared on the show, will play a special solo set and join the band for a jam. Host Jez Nelson will also be talking to a Jazz 625 expert.
- Thursday 21st November – Bridge The Gap Take-over
Drummer and producer Myele Manzanza and songwriter, singer and producer MADELEINE join together to put on a show….
- Friday 22nd November – Tomasz Bura Group featuring Rouhangeze
This project started as a collaboration with Guthrie Govan on guitar as well as (appearing on this date) Laurence Cottle, bass; Mark Mondesir, drums; and featuring Mauritian-born Rouhangeze, Vocals. They create what has been described as “hard-hitting fusion á la Chick Corea or Ursula Dudziak, with vocal improv from the enchanting Rouhangeze Baichoo, reframed for today.”
- Saturday 23rd November – Chris Dowding’s #BEACHfest
The ‘BEACH’ project by Chris Dowding – in solo, duo and trio groupings, including renowned UK musicians such as trombonist Annie Whitehead, guitarist Anton Hunter, trumpeter Charlotte Keeffe, drummer Johnny Hunter and others. #BEACHfest celebrates the music that Dowding recorded for a monthly subscription project where people signed up and received a piece of his music each month for a year.
- Sunday 24th – Golding/Edwards/Noble plus Special Guests
Tenor Sax player Binker Golding, bassist John Edwards & Drummer Steve Noble teamed up to record Moon Day during the pandemic and, using the first major moon conspiracy of 1835 as a launching off point, have created a captivating, varied and inventive album that showcases each musician’s abilities equally. Hearing it live will be an exciting opportunity.
Everything from seasoned favourites to the fresh faces emerging from some of the best music schools around, The Cockpit’s Jazz in the Round offerings are well worth checking out. Special mention to the Female Songwriters in the Round (19.11) and Jazz on the Box (20.11).
