To say Malcolm John ‘Mac’ Rebennack Jr, aka Dr John, has lived a colourful life would be something of an understatement: from spells in jail, being shot in the hand, scoring drugs and his upbringing in deepest, darkest New Orleans, he is the very embodiment of the Crescent City’s rich gumbo soul.
Diana Krall has often walked a fine line between consummate jazz performer and canny crossover artist, not least with her recent vaudeville, jazz and blues inspired album Glad Rag Doll, and now even more so with Wallflower – her classy new, string-laden record peppered with songs by The Mamas & the Papas, Paul McCartney and Bob Dylan.
When the Newport Jazz Festival began in 1954, it became a barometer for all that was hot in jazz in 1950s America.
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.
One of the most talented jazz musicians of his generation, in 2003 it seemed only a matter of time before Alexi Tuomarila became a major name in jazz.
Vocalist Lizz Wright has come along way in the 12 years since her startling debut Salt, traversing her own soul and gospel fuelled path, driven by a heartrending voice, across four stunning albums.
Robert Glasper’s recent double Grammy Award wins for his two Black Radio albums have capped an 11-year career that has not just seen him break through to the mainstream like few other jazz artists today, but has also seen Glasper forge deep bonds between today’s jazz, R&B and hip-hop scenes.
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.
A pivotal pianist with acclaimed groups Phronesis and Kairos 4tet, and keyboardist with Norwegian sax star Marius Neset, Ivo Neame is increasingly stepping out as a solo artist.
When Nigerian master drummer Ginger Johnson arrived in London in 1943 he immediately stood out from the crowd – not just because of the distinctive reddish tinge to his hair that earned him his nickname – but for his ability to create a dazzlingly polyrhythmic blend of African music and jazz.
