UK Jazz News

Mark McKergow

with the WDR Big Band & Mike Abene

Drum virtuoso Steve Gadd gets the surviving Gadd Gang back together on this session featuring big band takes on their soul-jazz-blues-pop classics repertoire. The results are a joyous celebration of top material, snappy arranging and wonderful musicianship. For anyone who’s [...]

(rec. 1990)

French piano genius Michel Petrucciani (1962–1999) lives again in this solo performance from 1990. The results are a bohemian cocktail of standards and originals presented with verve, wit and amazing technique that showcases Petrucciani’s talent in a joyous and uplifting [...]

Argyle Cellar Bar. 9 August 2022

Singer/pianist Charlie Wood takes the Edinburgh Fringe audience on a rockingly enjoyable tour of the music of Memphis, Tennessee in this atmospheric show. In the packed agenda of the fringe it can be hard to stand out, particularly for those without a [...]

Festival Theatre Studio. 21 July 2022

This astounding performance by young musicians from across Europe produced 75 minutes of disciplined, varied and exciting music without any visible scores, arrangements or written parts.  The quality of the music-making bodes extremely well for the future. The project is [...]

British drummer Rod Oughton assembles a top line-up to perform his neat and varied jazz compositions and delivers a bright and enjoyable post-lude to pandemic privations. Rod Oughton clearly has his sights set on activities far and wide.  In-demand both [...]

Full programmes for both the Glasgow and Edinburgh jazz festivals have now been released. Patrick Hadfield and Mark McKergow, two of UKJN’s ‘friends in the North’, have scrutinised both line-ups. Here are their picks, designed to help highlight some not-to-be-missed [...]

This much-anticipated release from Birmingham-born keyboardist, vocalist and producer Reuben James is a treat, filled with warm vibes and top instrumental talent exploring a jazzy nu-soul R&B style with skill and panache. Reuben James came to prominence in his work [...]

rec. 1957, expanded reissue

Friday 22 April 2022 marks the centenary of the birth of Charles Mingus, double bassist, composer, pianist, band leader, activist and one of the most important figures in jazz.  He and his music are not only key in developing the jazz tradition, [...]

Drummer and composer Jas Kayser’s debut album roars onto the scene with a mix of jazz, afrobeat and latin influences, contemporary connections to themes of migration and identity, all underpinned by dazzling drum-work. Following on from her debut EP Unforced [...]

Violinist Matt Holborn and guitarist Kourosh Kanani present a delightful set of standards given their own intensive and engaging treatment.  The results are a treat for the ear, with a depth of repertoire and style showing their experience and communication. Talk of a violin/guitar [...]

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