I’ve just done a phone-round of some of the larger venues and promoters to get their flavour for the first few months of the year. If there’s a venue or promoter who’s reading this whom I’ve missed out, please add a comment. The floor, the site, are all yours.* * * *
There are big international names at the Barbican. There’s Jan Garbarek with a quartet including percussionist Trilok Gurtu on January 31st and Pat Metheny’s Orchestrion project on Febuary 10th.
There’s also a evening of the music of Machito, Tito Rodriguez and Tito Puente on Sunday 24th January tying in with a forthcoming BBC series. Definitely one to take your grumpiest relative to.
The Barbican also have powerful singer Dee Dee Bridgewater (her Live at Yoshi’s is a CD I’ve played to death) with her daughter China Moses in April.
* * * *
A the South Bank, I’d already noted Keith Nichols’ Fats Waller tribute on February 7th. There’s also jazz/electronica Norwegian trumpeter Nils Petter Molvaer on Monday 22nd February. And EST bassist Dan Berglund on 15th March with his Tonbruket project “playing” according to the blurb, “music that stretches from e.s.t. to Pink Floyd, Royksopp and Arvo Part.”
Another South Bank thing to draw attention to is the free Friday nights in the QEH foyer. They are called Friday Tonic, with a varied programme including Tomorrows Warriors (who are in residence at the South Bank) plus I keep hearing good things about Dave Morecroft’s World Service Project on Feb 12th . Details HERE
* * * * *
A couple of things from the Pizza Express Dean Street programme. There will be a first anniversary edition of the piano festival in April , when a second Steinway gets blown in, and a large number of world-class pianists come on down to the basement. More details to follow. I also like the look of Mike Janisch’s monthly residency. The first night this year is on Wednesday January 27th, a launch party for Scottish drummer Alyn Cosker ‘s new CD. Also appearing is always-worth-hearing New York tenor sax player Seamus Blake. There’s a rumour of Lee Konitz appearing with Janisch in May.
* * * * *
Ronnie Scott’s attractions for February include top Americans: trumpeter Christian Scott (1st -2nd), the altoist who used to lead the Mingus Big Band Vincent Herring (4th -6th) pianist Robert Glasper 8th-9th (here’s Pete Horsfall’s LJF review). I’d also urge anyone with ears to check out world-class Manchester guitar hero Mike Walker with Norma Winstone and Nikki Iles on March 8th and 9th.A the South Bank, I’d already noted Keith Nichols’ Fats Waller tribute on February 7th. There’s also jazz/electronica Norwegian trumpeter Nils Petter Molvaer on Monday 22nd February. And EST bassist Dan Berglund on 15th March with his Tonbruket project “playing” according to the blurb, “music that stretches from e.s.t. to Pink Floyd, Royksopp and Arvo Part.”
Another South Bank thing to draw attention to is the free Friday nights in the QEH foyer. They are called Friday Tonic, with a varied programme including Tomorrows Warriors (who are in residence at the South Bank) plus I keep hearing good things about Dave Morecroft’s World Service Project on Feb 12th . Details HERE
* * * * *
A couple of things from the Pizza Express Dean Street programme. There will be a first anniversary edition of the piano festival in April , when a second Steinway gets blown in, and a large number of world-class pianists come on down to the basement. More details to follow. I also like the look of Mike Janisch’s monthly residency. The first night this year is on Wednesday January 27th, a launch party for Scottish drummer Alyn Cosker ‘s new CD. Also appearing is always-worth-hearing New York tenor sax player Seamus Blake. There’s a rumour of Lee Konitz appearing with Janisch in May.
* * * * *
At King’s Place there is a French flavour with bass clarinet legend Louis Sclavis on March 19th, and a French Jazz week May 5th-8th.
* * * *
At Cadogan Hall, I can’t find the J-word until the BBC Big Band appear on April 14th.
* * * *
At the Vortex, they’re looking forward to standing-room only for Vijay Iyer whose album Historicity was on hundreds of best-of-2009 lists on March 3rd. And free jazz legend Peter Brotzmann will appear on March 23rd and 24th.
Steve Rubie at the 606 is proud to be putting on alto sax icon Lee Konitz with Peter Ind on February 16th and 17th, and then battling tenors Eric Alexander and Dave O’ Higgins on March 11th. Steve is also flagging up appearances at the club by by Lithuanian bassist Leonid Shinkarenko and his band on Feb 10th , and guitarist Dominic Miller in May.
Categories: miscellaneous
Hopefully ill be bringing my JD73 band to jazz refreshed at the Mau Mau bar on May 20th. Dan G (JD73)
Not forgetting the Ian Carr Celebration at the QE Hall on Feb. 23.
Cafe Oto down the road from the Vortex is notable by its absence. Over the next couple of months, their lineup includes Peter Brotzmann, Matthew Shipp, Wilkinson/Edwards/Noble, Joe McPhee/Chris Corsano, and the Sun Ra Arkestra. That isn't bad, right?
Thanks Lance, and Mapsa, thanks (I think) JD73, and please keep'em coming!
It's amazing how Dalston can have two venues putting on cutting edge music. Long may it continue!
Vortex programme also includes Jim Black twice (in TYFT and Alasnoaxis), Buffalo Collision (Tim Berne, Hank Roberts etc.), Lotte Anker (with Craig Taborn, Gerald Cleaver), Acoustic Ladyland, TrioVD, 4 day LOOP Festival. World Service Report is at Vortex on 1 February.