Features

Charles Lloyd: “The thing is I want to share the music. I’m still on a mission and it can’t happen – this is plague time…”

• Tuesday, June 23, 2020

For some artists, the twilight years can be a time to reflect and review a lifetime’s work. But, for saxophonist Charles Lloyd, his 80th birthday in 2018 provided an opportunity to bottle his eight decades into a single staggering live performance that’s just been released as a mind-blowing double album. More than a mere greatest hits collection, 8 shines new light on this celebrated musician’s life’s work. Stuart Nicholson caught up with the tenor titan to find out more about that very special...

The best new jazz albums: Editor's Choice, July 2020

• Friday, June 19, 2020

Outstanding new albums from Ambrose Akinmusire, Michael Olatuja, Jaga Jazzist, Andrew McCormack, Snarky Puppy, Luciana Souza and Trevor Watts

Live jazz in lockdown

• Wednesday, June 3, 2020

Rosie Hanley assesses how the UK jazz industry is coping without live events and discovers how musicians and organisations are supporting each other in these unprecedented times

Lizz Wright: “I think nature and life in its rhythms is about to demand that we grow the hell up and stop being afraid of one another”

• Wednesday, June 3, 2020

Posessed of a uniquely expressive voice, Lizz Wright is now one of the world’s foremost exponents of the art of vocal jazz. Peter Quinn caught up with her to learn more about her love of those enduring standards by the American Songbook greats and the power of music to unite in these divisive times

The best new jazz albums: Editor's Choice, June 2020

• Wednesday, May 27, 2020

The best new albums reviewed in the June issue of Jazzwise, featuring Andre Canniere, Laila Biali, Laura Jurd’s Dinosaur, Obradović-Tixier Duo, John Scofield and Sara Serpa

Nikki Iles interview: “I think there’s so much more scope now for women to come through. It’s really wonderful.”

• Monday, May 4, 2020

British big band jazz’s unsung heroine, pianist-composer-leader Nikki Iles has for years been working quietly and diligently to further the art of the ensemble. On the eve of a nationwide tour with her new orchestra, she spoke to Selwyn Harris about ‘women in jazz’, her life as a composer and about being a team player

Tony Kofi interview: “Cannonball Adderley knew exactly what he was doing. And we just want to pass that torch on.”

• Thursday, April 30, 2020

Brit saxophonist Tony Kofi pays tribute to the great Cannonball Adderley with his new album Another Kind of Soul, in a collaborative project with pianist/composer Alex Webb. Andy Robson spoke to the duo about the deep spiritual and socially conscious elements they drew out of this inspirational altoist’s legacy

Book review: Dave Brubeck’s Time Out, by Stephen A. Crist

• Tuesday, April 28, 2020

“Crist marshals his research to maximum effect, clearing away canards and myth with documented fact as well as adding valuable insight towards achieving a better understanding of Brubeck”

Lakecia Benjamin interview: “Our job is to heal and spread joy throughout the planet. That’s the reason I play music.”

• Wednesday, April 22, 2020

Fast-rising altoist Lakecia Benjamin talks to Thomas Rees about the healing power of music and the story behind Pursuance, her star-studded, intergenerational tribute to those twin powerhouses of spiritual jazz, Alice and John Coltrane

Avishai Cohen interview: “Everything I’m doing is hopefully leading to the future… the future is now”

• Tuesday, April 21, 2020

Avishai Cohen’s turbo-charged bass lines and kinetic melodic style have defined the last 20 years of the art of the trio and put the bass on top. Kevin Le Gendre caught up with the high-flying low-ender to find out more