It’s not often that a young, seemingly fully formed jazz guitarist blessed with natural improvisational flair and ferocious technical skill comes along.
There is a feast of jazz singing taking place next month right at the heart of London’s West End as the Art of Song festival launches at the Leicester Square Theatre.
The Bath International Music Festival, which this year runs from 25 May to 5 June, has unveiled its programme.
Perhaps it was the throngs of fans who last night packed the cosy confines of the Dean Street Pizza Express jazz club or the sense of extravagance at having a stellar band of heavy hitters on hand, but Ian Shaw was positively fizzing with excitement.
Pizza Express Jazz Club in London on Saturday night at a special midnight show is the venue for the UK launch of EST drummer Magnus Öström’s new album Thread of Life, his first since the break-up of EST following the tragic death of Esbörn Svensson in 2008.
The Barbican in London is to host a two-night stint by Charlie Haden, one of the great bassists in jazz, showcasing two remarkable bands he has been associated with over the years, Quartet West and the Liberation Music Orchestra.
Saxophonist Tim Garland is entering an intense period with the release of the latest album by his Storms/Nocturnes trio, and also on 5 May the premiere of his concerto for saxophone and percussion by the London Symphony Orchestra at the Barbican.
This year’s Norfolk & Norwich Festival, that takes place between 6 – 21 May, boasts a diverse programme of jazz, world and classical artists and has just announced two major additions to its programme.
Pianist Robert Glasper was the talk of the blogosphere at the weekend following his Blue Note jazz club residency in New York.
He’s not often in this country but tomorrow sees the beginning of the first UK tour in five years by famed US guitarist Ralph Towner.
