The emergence of Los Angeles saxophonist Kamasi Washington this year as one of the hottest names in jazz – thanks to the avalanche of music he unleashed on his remarkable triple-disc debut album The Epic – has caused shockwaves on both sides of the Atlantic.
This month sees the long-awaited release of JACO – the documentary on the life and music of revered former Weather Report bassist Jaco Pastorius who died in 1987 aged 35 in tragic circumstances – but who unequivocally changed the sound and perception of the bass guitar forever.
Sons of Kemet – the supercharged double-drums, tuba/sax four-piece led by clarinettist and saxophonist Shabaka Hutchings – arrived with a bang in 2013 with their aptly-titled, incendiary debut album, Burn.
Since their breakthrough 2010 album, Alive, Scandi-Brit jazz trio Phronesis have been building an unrelenting momentum thanks to the special energy that sparks between bassist/band director Jasper Høiby, pianist Ivo Neame and drummer Anton Eger.
Kurt Elling’s richly resonant, subtly virtuosic voice is one of the most recognisable and celebrated in jazz earning him a Grammy for his 2009 album Dedicated To You alongside 10 other Grammy nominations, and seen him top numerous critics polls.
There are few, if any, jazz triple albums that have made quite the impact that Kamasi Washington’s The Epic has had this year.
ALL FOR ONE R The latest JOSHUA REDMAN album relies on the force and presence of a new co-operative quartet that goes by the name of James Farm rather than the strength of Redman’s personality on its own.
Walking with Miles Bassist ARILD ANDERSEN on the album that changed his life, Seven Steps To Heaven, by Miles Davis INTERVIEW :: BRIAN GLASSER Early on, I liked Bill Haley – the saxophone solos! And I was getting into jazz in my teens.
Saxophonist Andy Sheppard has been a constant presence on the British, and international, jazz circuit since he emerged as part of the late 1980s young UK jazz scene, yet for all his widespread popularity he’s remained hungry for exploring sonic pastures new.
In a world obsessed with looking back instead of forward extraordinary jazz singer Cécile McLorin Salvant is something of a paradox: a deeply soulful virtuoso capable of taking 100 year old songs and making them sparkle anew.
