With ever more jazz musicians embracing the boundless possibilities of electronic music, the sound-science of Norwegian über producer and live sampler Jan Bang has become increasingly influential. Mike Flynn caught up with Bang for a virtual campfire chat about the art of live sampling and building an international family
As one of the most soulful and subtly virtuosic players this country has ever produced, Jim Mullen has recorded and toured with the very best, also carving his own place in jazz-funk history as a founding member of the Morrissey-Mullen Band. Now back with two contrasting albums which showcase the breadth and depth of his artistry, the Scots guitar great tells Stuart Nicholson about the inspiring friendships that have got him back on top
The current heat surrounding trumpeter, singer and producer Emma-Jean Thackray reflects her artistry and ambition. She talks brass bands and J Dilla with Debra Richards
Saxophonist Dave O’Higgins and guitarist Rob Luft discovered a shared passion for the music of Monk and Coltrane in an unfashionable South London venue. Now that same love permeates a new collaborative effort. As they explained to Andy Robson, their intention was to pass beyond tribute, employing creative playfulness and reinvention to harness the essence of two of the foremost icons of jazz
Alyn Shipton speaks to EFG London Jazz Festival Director Pelin Opcin about showcasing specially-commissioned projects and redressing the gender balance in her rundown of this year’s event
Santiago-born Thelonious Monk prize-winning saxophonist Melissa Aldana has been on an intense artistic journey ever since falling under the spell of the sax greats at an early age. She speaks to Selwyn Harris about the importance of continually challenging herself and the significance of artist Frida Kahlo on recent album 'Visions'
Vocalist, violinist and pianist Alice Zawadzki has gone decidedly seasonal for her latest boundary-breaking album, Within You Is A World Of Spring. She spoke with Jane Cornwell about genre-busting, the literary inspirations behind her work and the impact of New Orleans jazz singer Lillian Boutté upon her artistic development
Formed in the mid-1990s, Brad Mehldau’s acoustic piano trio is among the most influential in jazz today. But the pianist-composer has also been acclaimed for his diversification into classical and rock/electronic-charged projects. He releases arguably his most provocative album to date, Finding Gabriel, where he sheds light on US politics with the aid of Biblical texts. Selwyn Harris speaks to Mehldau about the making of the album, his ongoing spiritual quest and its relation to the...
Stepping back into the solo-artist spotlight, Michael Janisch speaks to Kevin Le Gendre about his album, Worlds Collide, as well as jazz’s innate ability to inspire society through models of best cultural practice
From humble beginnings to iconic status, John Fordham charts the legacy of legendary venue, Ronnie Scott’s, which celebrates its 60th anniversary this year, and checks in with some of the key personalities intrinsically linked to this most celebrated of jazz temples
