Branford Marsalis
Branford Marsalis’ commitment to the quartet format has not wavered and the current incarnation has proved itself to be a vital presence in contemporary jazz
Artists
John Surman
From 1979’s 'Upon Reflection' Surman began a lasting association with the Munich based ECM label where much of his finest work is to be found
Charles Mingus
Like several classical composers Charles Mingus achieved the ideal of a ‘folk art.’ While the celebratory stomp of ‘Better Get It In Your Soul’ sums this up brilliantly the reflective, immensely elegiac composing of The Black Saint And The Sinner Lady shows his unbound imagination
Duke Ellington
Between 1940-43 something special happened, Duke Ellington hit an all-time creative high which saw him record music – such as 'KoKo', 'Concerto For Cootie' and 'Bojangles' – which to this day remains unsurpassed in jazz composition
Django Bates
Loose Tubes was integral to the 1980s “British Jazz Renaissance” and it defined Django Bates as a rising star
Andy Sheppard
The award-winning, self-trained saxophonist and composer whose music has crossed genre barriers with ease
Wayne Shorter
A member of Miles Davis' "Second Great Quintet" and a founder of Weather Report with keyboard player Joe Zawinul, Wayne Shorter has deservedly been showered with awards and honours
Art Blakey
Blakey became regarded as the finishing school in jazz, his name on the curriculum vitae young musicians providing a status they would not have otherwise enjoyed. He also made an astonishing run of albums for Blue Note in the 1960s
Ornette Coleman
Coleman’s alto saxophone playing had great originality, the tone pushing the tradition of ‘the cry’ towards a kind of dawn-of-time character whereby some notes conspired to pierce and graze the air due to careful articulation
Esperanza Spalding
Esperanza Spalding's rich tone, sharp time-keeping, melodic phrasing and rhythmic drive are impressive, and she, in the manner of the legendary Slam Stewart, can also play and scat vocal lines at the same time