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, …
Review by John Stevenson Originally from Sao Paulo but now making her home in the US, Luciana Souza displays tremendous vocal dexterity on her 2015 CD, Speaking in Tongues. Most of the tracks are worldless, after a scatty and jazz-influenced fashion. However, Souza speaks the jazz lingo fluently, using her …
Lionel Loueke: Gaia (Blue Note) Review by John Stevenson With Gaia, Beninois guitarist Lionel Loueke follows up on his well-received Blue Note CDs, Karibou and Mwaliko. Accompanied by long-time bandmates Massimo Biolcati (bass) and Ferenc Nemeth (drums), Gaia is a Don Was production recorded live in the studio with an …
Stefano Bollani: arrivano gli alieni (Decca/Universal) Review by John Stevenson Stefano Bollani is a virtuoso jazz pianist and singer from Milan with a mischievous sense of humour. This eclectic program of originals, popular Italian tunes, jazz standards, folk songs and a Brazilian pop anthem, provide evidence of a truly variegated …
Rayford Griffin: Reflections of Brownie (RazorEdge) Review by John Stevenson Ace drummer and Clifford Brown’s nephew, Rayford Griffin, imaginatively updates a brace of selections associated with the legendary trumpeter. The funk and smooth jazz inflected arrangements are abundantly tasteful and chock full of infectious grooves. ‘Daahoud’ comes in on the …
