At the pilot filming of a new TV programme Jazz@Metropolis, legendary photographer Terry O’Neill recalled his jazz heroes Zoot Sims, Ben Webster, the photography of Herman Leonard, whose pictures he puts on his walls at home, and getting to know the writer Whitney Balliett.
Boundary-blurring, Mercury Prize-nominated pianist Gwilym Simcock will be appearing at one of east London’s newest venues, the Village Underground on 25 April, playing a set of recently written compositions for the City of London Sinfonia who also appear, led by conductor Clark Rundell.
Chamber is the creation of multi-award winning guitarist/composer Nick Tyson (pictured) perhaps best known for his role in the popular dub, ska and roots reggae outfit Gentleman’s Dub Club.
“If I could only be/like I’ve always wanted,” the beginning of ‘Cashback’ on The Cherry Thing is not so much an I-could-have-been-a-contender sort of line but a hint of a reawakening, which the unlikely collaboration between Neneh Cherry and The Thing turns out to be.
Danish saxophonist Lotte Anker has made a name for herself largely in the free jazz and improv borderlands, which has seen her keep fast company for some years with the likes of the great percussionist Marilyn Mazur and influential free improviser pianist Marilyn Crispell.
“Possibly a death blow to adventurous jazz on Tyneside.
Highlights of this year’s Manchester Jazz Festival include a liberal sprinkling of top local talent, featuring the likes of Stuart McCallum, members of Beats and Pieces, Neil Yates, and new commissions from rising stars.
The Quentin Collins/Brandon Allen Quartet, Darius Brubeck Quartet, Martin Taylor & Alan Barnes, and The Give A Little Love Jazz Orchestra: A Horace Silver Tribute are some of the names heading to the Scarborough Jazz Festival for the 10th running of the festival this year.
Following last month’s early-bird announcement of this year’s London Jazz Festival dates and the first headline names, including Sonny Rollins, John McLaughlin and the 4th Dimension, Jan Garbarek with Trilok Gurtu, the Brad Mehldau Trio, Melody Gardot, and Bill Frisell, festival producers Serious have revealed the second tranche of festival programming, including a supertrio with Chick Corea, Christian McBride and Brian Blade, for what is already looking like the biggest LJF ever.
World Service Project is to host a free entry festival on 15 and 16 June under their Match&Fuse banner with bands taking part at the fest, to be held at the Vortex in Dalston, to include “mash up” big band Alfie Ryner from France, Redivider from Ireland, Led Bib (UK), Polish mavericks Owls Are Not What They Seem, Italian band Tribraco, trioVD (UK) and Norwegian newcomers, Pixel.
