The EFG London Jazz Festival has just sent out a press release with updates such as extra matinee shows for Dave Holland/ John Scofield and for Julian Lage and the first half-dozen soloists for Jazz Voice on 12 November:
Press release begins: As we approach November, the excitement for the 29th EFG London Jazz Festival builds up with more shows, strands and venues being announced. From the EFG Elements Series, which highlights an exquisite selection of Festival shows representing musical excellence and unique collaborations, to a range of shows with emerging artists, cutting edge sounds and new to the scene venues, the Festival continues to showcase London’s musical diversity.
The EFG Elements Series is a musical snapshot of specially selected shows that reflect EFG and the Festival’s shared underlying principles to foster innovation and collaboration, to work with passion, and to be driven by quality and excellence. We are also equally committed to supporting the next generation of emerging talent and the creation of new music.
‘Each year, together with Serious, we hand pick four shows that exemplify the richness and diversity of the Festival programme. This year, more than ever, we want to celebrate the energy and life that are inherent to jazz and live music in general. To echo our own values, we are particularly keen to feature artists with a strong focus on collaboration and that represent the next generation of talent’ (Richard AA Thomas, MBE, Head of UK Region, EFG International)
Jazz Voice | Friday 12 November | Royal Festival Hall
The glittering extravaganza that opens the Festival in style!
We’re thrilled to announce the soloists that will be joining Guy Barker and the specially created EFG London Jazz Festival Orchestra as they perform classics of jazz from the world of film.
We welcome special guest singers Ayanna Witter-Johnson, Aynur, Ego Ella May, Georgia Cécile, and Sachal Vasandani to the show, also Lakecia Benjamin on saxophone and spoken word, plus more names to be announced soon.
Dave Holland & John Scofield | Sunday 14 November 4pm MATINEE JUST ADDED & 7pm | Cadogan Hall
Guitarist John Scofield and bassist Dave Holland join forces to present audiences with a new conversation.
Due to phenomenal demand, we have added a matinee show for this new duo, playing original compositions each have contributed to their repertoire, with a selection of jazz standards added to the mix.
‘Scofield at full jazz-improv pelt is always something to behold’ (The Guardian)
What’s Going On: Nu Civilisation Orchestra | Thursday 18 November | Queen Elizabeth Hall
Marvin Gaye’s landmark album ‘What’s Going On’ is pivotal in music history not only with its statement making story line around inequality, struggle and injustice but also as an artistic masterpiece to lead to progression in soul, characterising the revolutionary vision of Black music. Still relevant in its 50th year, EFG London Jazz Festival is proud to present the celebration of this iconic recording through the lens and talent of brilliant Nu Civilisation Orchestra (NCO) and Peter Edwards.
During this special evening, the 24-piece NCO will reflect on our current times from the perspective of of Marvin Gaye’s incredible catalogue, with special guests, accompanied by the NCO string section and visual projections by Yeast Culture, plus a special guest performance from spoken word artist Colin Salmon.
We are thrilled to strengthen our continuing collaborations with Tomorrow’s Warriors in their 30th year with this monumental project.
Omar Sosa & Seckou Keita | Friday 19 November | Queen Elizabeth Hall
Legendary Cuban pianist and African kora master join forces for a special collaboration.
Grammy-nominated musician, composer and bandleader, Omar Sosa has released more than 30 albums across his glittering career, but his first album with Seckou Keita, Transparent Water, received terrific acclaim – Songlines described it as “beautiful, rhapsodic and spiritual”.
Composer and kora virtuoso Seckou Keita continues to enjoy an award-winning career as a fearless artist at the top of his game. His stunning collaboration with harpist Catrin Finch and his recent BBC Radio 2 Folk Award, as Folk Musician of the Year, underline his extraordinary versatility and critical reputation.
The Festival announces new additions to the programme as follows:
FRIDAY 12 NOVEMBER
Archie Shepp & Jason Moran: Let My People Go + Shirley Tetteh | Barbican
In demand guitarist Shirley Tetteh (Nérija / Maisha) plays a rare solo set to open the London premiere of Archie Shepp & Jason Moran’s new collaboration ‘Let My People Go’.
‘Fast becoming one of the most important jazz musicians in the UK.’ (GuitarWorld)
Julian Lage | Cadogan Hall – matinee show added
Newly signed to Blue Note records, it’s no exaggeration to say that guitarist Julian Lage holds the heritage of jazz, while mapping its future. Due to huge demand, we are thrilled to announce a matinee show has been added.
New Regency Orchestra | EartH Theatre
New Regency Orchestra is a twenty-piece big band on a mission to take the music of the Afro Cuban musical saints and reinvent it through a 2021 London filter. Curated by Lex Blondin (Total Refreshment Centre / Church of Sound) the line-up features conducting from Nathaniel Cross, Tamar Osborn on saxophone, Yelfris Valdés on trumpet, and more.
SATURDAY 13 NOVEMBER
Lakecia Benjamin + Alina Bzhezhinska | Cadogan Hall
A true celebration of the legendary Coltranes. Harpist Alina Bzhezhinska opens the evening with a harp-electronic solo set on Alice Coltrane’s music, followed by saxophonist Lakecia Benjamin presenting her album Pursuance: The Coltranes.
Cherise | Ninety One Living Room
A truly multi-faceted vocalist, Cherise is fast proving herself to be one of the most fiercely talented young musicians on the scene. The night opens with DJ Jake Snakestone Zaitz spinning an eclectic set.
SUNDAY 14 NOVEMBER
Greg Foat + Kassa Overall | Colour Factory
New sounds of ground-breaking jazz in this future-facing double bill.
Versatile jazz musician Greg Foat moves from soul-jazz to cinematic, haunting compositions and pastoral acid folk.
‘A leading jazz player has abandoned ambition for more unexpected, idiosyncratic visions’ (Pitchfork)
Singer, producer, drummer, and MC Kassa Overall melds avant-garde experimentation with hip-hop production, reflecting a panoramic musical background from West Coast G-Funk to the sounds of the New York underground.
‘Not another jazz-meets-hip-hop scrum: It’s the sound of whole new lanes opening up’ (NPR)
MONDAY 15 NOVEMBER
Shai Maestro + Ranjana Ghatak | Cadogan Hall
Opening the show is singer and bandleader Ranjana Ghatak, who grew up within classical Indian vocal music but has evolved a glorious style of her own that’s all about contemporary Britain, juxtaposing the beauty of sacred Indian vocal music with the driving improvised rhythms of contemporary music.
She’s worked with Akram Khan, Nitin Sawhney, and London Philharmonic Orchestra, and played with Seb Rochford from Polar Bear and beatboxer Jason Singh.
FRIDAY 19 NOVEMBER
Wildflower | Space 289
Idris Rahman (saxophone), Leon Brichard (bass) and Gene Calderazzo (drums) create freely improvised waves ranging from powerful climaxes to hauntingly beautiful breath-like passages, influenced by spiritual jazz pioneers such as John and Alice Coltrane, Pharoah Sanders, Yusef Lateef and Sun Ra and whose compositional influences range from Gnawa music to modal jazz to Bengali folk music.
Cassie Kinoshi & Anne Verheij – echo | Kings Place
Experience echo, the new immersive film installation from long-time collaborators composer Cassie Kinoshi and visual artist Anne Verheij. The installation is a sonic and visual exploration of our connection with ourselves and each other in London. This 20-minute show also has two viewings on Saturday 20 November.
Levitation Orchestra | Studio 9294
Join the 11-piece band to celebrate the release of their second album ‘Illusions & Realities’, mixing spiritual jazz, classical, electronica, soul, spoken word, M-Base, and no-holds-barred free improvisation. With trumpeter Axel Kaner-Lidstrom (Cykada, Gary Bartz) as musical director, the collective comprises some of London’s most promising young musicians, who together play in or with the likes of Alabaster de Plume, Shunaji, Nihilism, PÆN, and Nardedey.
Vocalist and keys player Feeo and DJs from Social Record Society warm up the evening, and after DJ/producer Maxwell Owin will take the early hours.
SATURDAY 20 NOVEMBER
Take Five presents… the afternoon 3pm | Purcell Room
Take Five presents… the evening 7.45pm | Purcell Room
Showcasing the future of UK jazz as we present artists who have taken part in our Take Five talent development initiative. Artists include J Frisco, John Pope, Samuel Eagles, Romarna Campbell, Sarah Heneghan and more
While the EFG Elements Series points out to a stellar array and new shows are announced, the Festival programme expands with the musical feast in clubs across London. From established clubs such as Ronnie Scott’s, 606, Toulouse Lautrec to contemporary spaces in the scene such as Woolwich Works and Studio 9294, the Festival maps out the musical mosaic of the city. Just to name a few, Jazz Café hosts a programme ranging from household festival acts such as Judi Jackson to newcomers including Derya Yildirim and Grup Simsek; Pizza Express delivers a buzzing line up across three music venues, amongs which a series curated by Gilles Peterson. The Festival’s club and partner events programme is live on our website this week.
This October, we announce more special guests coming to perform live at the Festival, as well as our Creative Engagement programme of interactive events, family activities, and important discussions. We also announce a full programme coming to Becontree in Barking/Dagenham
For full information on all shows on sale visit efglondonjazzfestival.org.uk
Press Release ends
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