Jazz breaking news: Festival of Britain Celebrated with Evan Parker, Soweto Kinch and Dankworth Big Band
Friday, June 3, 2011
As part of an ongoing four-month long festival at the Southbank Centre in London marking the 60th anniversary of the Festival of Britain, a trio of major jazz shows has been announced for July.
First up on 19 July free sax and improv pioneer Evan Parker takes to the stage of the Purcell Room with a concert billed as “50 years of British improv” when Parker will be joined by a group featuring guitarist John Russell, violinist Phil Waschsmann, bassist John Edwards, flautist Neil Metcalfe and trumpeter Percy Pursglove.
By contrast What The Dickens?! – The story of John Dankworth and the Big Band on 25 July at the Queen Elizabeth Hall recalls the musical contribution of Sir John Dankworth who died last year, tracing his musical journey back to the days of the Dankworth Seven formed in 1950 and spanning landmark Dankworth compositions down the years. The band on the night is led by Dankworth’s son bassist Alec and is hosted by his widow Dame Cleo Laine with the family theme continued with daughter Jacqui Dankworth joining the stellar big band whose members include Henry Lowther, Noel Langley, Andy Panayi, Tim Garland and Julian Siegel.
The third concert in the series, taking place at the QEH on 26 July sees a leading member of the new generation of British jazz Soweto Kinch evoking the spirit and music of saxophonist Joe Harriott, a seminal free jazz figure from the 1960s who has proved an important inspiration to Kinch over the years. The concerts are produced by Serious.
– Stephen Graham
For more go to www.southbankcentre.co.uk