The release of Metheny Mehldau is the jazz event of the year by some distance. It’s the first time guitarist Pat Metheny and pianist Brad Mehldau have recorded together and presents a fascinating match of two musical forces who have become world renowned jazz figures.
Fêted at home and abroad, Dave Holland, is one of the most celebrated UK jazz musicians working on the upper reaches of the international touring circuit today. Having just turned 60 recently the bassist who famously joined Miles Davis after the trumpeter heard him playing in Ronnie Scott’s club, he went on to make a name for himself in an avant garde settings with cult group Circle and then on to a substantial recording presence on ECM. Duncan Heining looks back with Dave on his career, back to...
When trumpeter Abram Wilson made the move from his native New Orleans to London he had no idea about what was in store. From jamming in London jazz clubs, to working on Soweto Kinch’s Conversations With The Unseen, to developing his own albums Jazz Warrior and now Ride! the New Orleansian has come a long way in a short time. Andy Robson talks to Abram about the inspirations behind his new album, the effects of Hurricane Katrina on his hometown and finds out more from saxophonist Soweto Kinch who...
Stan Tracey, after a period of some neglect, is now justifiably regarded as one of the UK’s greatest jazz musicians past or present. As he turns 80 this month Duncan Heining looks back on Tracey’s career with the man himself and talks to some of his musical colleagues over the years including Michael Garrick, Guy Barker and Keith Tippett. Michael Horovitz , who has collaborated with Stan ever since New Departures in the 1960s, has written a new poem to mark Stan’s birthday
It seems hardly five minutes since Acoustic Ladyland were the newest kids on the block, fresh faced and determined to inject a welcome verve and creativity into a dozing jazz scene. With two successful albums under its belt for the Babel label the band led by Pete Wareham has now been signed by a leading rock indie label V2 and is crossing over more and more into the alternative rock scene. Andy Robson catches up with the outspoken band as its new record for the new label, Skinny Grin, is about...
One of the most surprising releases of the year has just slipped out on the run up to Christmas. A live album by Ornette Coleman, Sound Grammar, marks the first album by the great saxophonist and composer in 10 years. Featuring a two bass player line-up it signals a return to form for Ornette, and a chance once again to marvel at the innovative range of ideas pouring out of the Texan, now in his late seventies. In a rare interview, Kevin Le Gendre finds out from Ornette the background to the...
Soothsayers are one of the most original and funky collectives around.
Hailed by the likes of Charlie Gillett as the best band in the world, and recent winners of the BBC Radio 3 World Music Award for Best European Band, Ojos de Brujo make their case with a striking live show that covers the breadth of Latin and flamenco funk and world music.
Austrian guitarist Wolfgang Muthspiel leads a superlative trio that have made a habit of returing to the UK for several mini-tours, with his trio featuring the amazing Brian Blade on drums.
Birmingham-born saxophonist came to prominence in 80's band Loose Tubes before being recognised in his own right.
