By John Stevenson The exciting Cheltenham Jazz Festival returns this year from April 26th to May 1st featuring a varied and eclectic programme of world premieres, festival commissions, unique collaborations and emerging talent against the backdrop of the Regency Cheltenham. Tickets go on sale to members from February 22nd and on …
By John Stevenson Performed by actor/director Steve Buscemi and multi-instrumentalist/composer Elliott Sharp, Rub Out The Word (Infrequent Seams) is an ambitious recording of the spoken texts of works written by William S. Burroughs. The performance took place on April 21, 2014 at the Issue Project Room as part of the …
By John Stevenson Nadjib Le Fleurier is one of London’s leading photographers. He has been busily – and very creatively – documenting the increasingly rich jazz scene in the capital. He has staged several exhibitions of his work which have received critical acclaim in recent years. His latest exhibition, Jazz …
By John Stevenson David Lyttle led a dynamic trio at London’s St James’ Theatre on 21st October 2016. Comprising David on drumset, acoustic bassist Daniel Casimir and alto saxophonist Tom Harrison, the powerful threesome ranged across jazz standards, funk and rock over two well-received sets. They kicked off their session …
(All photos by Maria Nunes) By John Stevenson Veteran Jamaican broadcaster, Dermot Hussey, has paid tribute to Pan-Jazz stalwart, Rafael ‘Raf’ Robertson, who died on the island of Trinidad last November at 63. Hussey (Sirius XM, Newstalk 93FM) based in Maryland USA, has just released the well-received podcast titled, ‘Hear What …
By John Stevenson There’s no shortage of infectious grooves, swing and imagination on Overdue, KDJ Trio’s debut recording. Comprising pianist Kameron Johnson (17), drummer Donavon Johnson (14) and Jonathon S. Muir-Cotton (17) the Michigan jazz triumvirate (the Johnsons from Southfield and Muir-Cotton from Ann Arbor respectively) sparkles with musical authority. …
By John Stevenson Through his critically acclaimed recordings Culture Shock, Folklore, Kaiso, Creole Soul, and Creole Christmas, Trinidadian trumpeter, percussionist, composer, arranger and professor of music, Etienne Charles, has musically documented the myriad aspects of the African Diaspora experience. He has concentrated on his native Trinidad, the French Caribbean islands, and …
By John Stevenson Hot and cool jazz music, performed by seriously talented young musicians in Michigan’s baking summer heat. This best describes the 2016 Big Band Symposium staged by Michigan State University’s College of Music, from June 13th to 18th, led by Rodney Whitaker, Distinguished Professor and Director of Jazz …
By John Stevenson With Spring Feelings, Misha Tsiganov maintains his position as one of the most swinging and resourceful pianists on today’s jazz scene. The new recording, his second for the Dutch Criss Cross label, sees him extend the boundaries of the material covered in 2014’s dazzling outing, The Artistry …
By John Stevenson On May 1st 2016, Cuban-born pianist, percussionist, composer and bandleader Omar Sosa, will be headlining the world-famous London jazz venue, Ronnie Scott’s. Over the course of the last 30 years, the seven-time Grammy-nominated artist has fused a distinctive compositional style combining his respect for his AfroCuban spirituality …
By John Stevenson Acclaimed Israel-born, Cambridge-based acoustic bassist, Daphna Sadeh, will perform a fusion of jazz and traditional Indian music in a lunchtime concert on 7th February at Pizza Express Soho, London, 10, Dean Street, W1D 3RW. Showtime is at 1:30pm. 1n 2015, Daphna Sadeh released the well-received recording, Born …
Review and photographs by John Stevenson Virtuoso singer, DJ, actor and composer, Cleveland Watkiss, treated his appreciative audience to a vocal tour de force at London’s St James Theatre Studio on October 26th. The occasion was the launch of the CD, Song Diasporas, co–created by himself, pianist Jonathan Gee and acoustic bassist, …
