This live recording brings together four of New York’s finest jazz musicians in an intimate and fluid performance combining masterful skills and musicality. It’s a real treat to be in on the action. The Fury is a super-group of top [...]
This newly discovered recording finds baritone sax maestro Gerry Mulligan in fine form and amidst good company in a no holds barred set notable for its fast pace and dextrous playing. Mulligan is perhaps best remembered for his sinuous tunes [...]
Double bass player and composer Ali Watson arrives as the latest part of the thriving Scottish jazz scene with an all-star quartet and assured performances of music from his debut album Terrarium. Born on the north coast of Scotland and [...]
This pairing of New York’s finest baritone saxophone exponents brings a feast of swinging, straight-ahead and joyful jazz in the hard bop tradition. Gary Smulyan has been in the business for over 40 years and has held the baritone sax [...]
The Edinburgh Jazz & Blues Festival 2024 will take place in the city from 12-21 July, at several venues including the re-opened Jazz Bar. UKJN writers and Edinburgh residents Patrick Hadfield and Mark McKergow pick some events they are looking [...]
This delicious new set from vibes maestro Roger Beaujolais celebrates both the legendary musician Milt Jackson and the blues with fine performances and more than a touch of class. Roger Beaujolais is celebrating his 40th year as a professional vibraphonist. [...]
French pianist Thierry Eliez takes on the compositions of prog-rock superstar Keith Emerson and succeeds in making new sense from these ambitious and often complex works. Keyboardist Keith Emerson (1944-2016) was the driving force behind The Nice, and also Emerson, [...]
This boisterous album takes us back to Seattle in 1972, with organ maestro ‘Brother’ Jack McDuff leading a full band through an evening of grooving full-on jazz. McDuff’s arrangements expertly orchestrate the tension and release that’s so important to this [...]
Bursting with energy, catchy arrangements, fine soloing and superb horn section work, this latest collection from The Jazz Defenders has a great deal to enjoy. The Defenders announce that they are ‘defending’ the spirit of hard bop jazz along the [...]
This dynamic album introduces vocalist Emily Masser as a new star of British jazz. Her performances are spot-on, the band is tight, the mood is swinging and all is set for a bright future for us all. Clark Tracey has [...]
