By John Stevenson On Kalthoum, French-Lebanese trumpeter Ibrahim Maalouf presents an enthralling tribute to one of Egypt’s most legendary classical singers, Oum Kalthoum. Also known as the Star of the East, Oum Kalthoum (1904-1975) was endowed with a powerful and emotionally penetrating voice. During the fifty odd years of a …
(Photo by Nadjib Le Fleurier) Story by John Stevenson Noted UK jazz trumpeter and improviser, Kevin Davy, will again lead one of his very successful free Monster Jam sessions on 14th June at the Rich Mix, 35-47 Bethnal Green Road, London E1 6LA. Kevin, known for his extensive touring and …
By John Stevenson London’s premier Gypsy Swing venue Le QuecumBar (42-44 Battersea High Street, London SW11 3HX) will resonate to the sound of the acclaimed masters of the genre, the Rosenbergs, on 24th and 25th May. Mozes, Johnny and Sani van Mullem Rosenberg, from Holland, follow in the tradition established …
By John Stevenson Combining the often separate worlds of jazz and Haitian vodun (or voodoo) music is at first glance a strange and unique pairing. There was a Black Haitian presence in New Orleans from 1792 right through to the Haitian revolution of 1804 and its aftermath and Haitians of …
By John Stevenson It’s difficult to believe that Daymé Arocena is only 22 years old. Coming from a musically endowed family, the Cuban singer, composer, arranger, choir director and band leader has already established a remarkable artistic footprint. Havana Cultura and Gilles Peterson’s Brownswood Recordings have recently collaborated to release …
(Photo of Billie Holiday by William Gottlieb) By John Stevenson ‘In A Different Mood: Billie Holiday at 100′, is the title of an exciting concert staged by Jazzmo’thology. The concert honours the 100th anniversary of the birth of jazz singer and artistic legend, Billie Holiday. It takes place on 30th …
By John Stevenson ‘Born in Parallel’ (33Records), Daphna Sadeh’s brilliant new CD, threads together the worlds of jazz improvisation, European baroque, classical music influences as well as Arabic and Jewish rhythmic traditions. Daphna, a double bassist and composer born in Israel, has been exposed to a pot pourri of musical …
By John Stevenson Garvin Blake is the thinking man’s jazz steel pannist. He has a well thought out approach to playing the steelpans and brings a high level of technical sophistication to his craft, which easily sets him apart from other exponents of the unique instruments he has mastered. Evidence …
By John Stevenson Drummer Daniel-Sidney Bechet, the Paris-based son of New Orleans soprano saxophone innovator and clarinettist, Sidney Bechet (1897-1959), will conjure up the musical spirit of the Crescent City on October 9th, when he performs at Le Quecumbar, Battersea High St, London, SW11 3HX. Starting at 8pm sharp, Daniel-Sidney …
By John Stevenson On his most recent CD, My Favourite Tunes Vol 1, jazz guitarist Edison Herbert reveals his passion for melody. With the core support of bassist Neville Malcolm and drummer Winston Clifford, Herbert gives listeners more than a taste of his considerable strengths. Straight out of the gates …
By John Stevenson Omar Hakim is on a (drum) roll with his new CD, We Are One. The disc is informed by the former Weather Report member’s spirituality and sense of ubergroove, having recorded and played with a who’s who of pop, jazz and rock royalty (including Daft Punk, Miles …
By John Stevenson UK spoken word artist HKB FiNN launches his long-awaited new CD, Prelude: Urban Roots, on 8th June in association with Jazzmo’thology, at Club 414, Coldharbour Lane, Brixton, London SW9 8LF. Playing a supporting role in the evening’s musical programme will be the debut album launch by guitarist …
