Since we published a grumpy post about the second International Jazz Day from a few weeks ago, things have moved on…

Internationally, Istanbul is Global Host City. There is a lot going on with the Thelonious Monk Institute, and  Lois Gilbert’s Jazzcorner site making the running. In the UK, the Jazzday.com site currently lists FOUR events celebrating International Jazz Day. (A fifth, taking place in Hamilton Bermuda, has also crept into the listings. Whatever.) There are events at the Royal Concert Halls in Glasgow, at the Pizza Express and the Map Cafe in London…

But the key unmissable gig in London has to be the one at the SGI UK London National Centre in Brixton (1 Bernays Grove, SW9 8DF). Hats off, in the air, kudos, respect to trumpeter Sean Corby and Neville Murray. Sean is one of the team at Jazz in the Round and also one of the guiding forces behind the re-birth of NYJO;- he has put together a celebration! The first set will be small groups including Liane Carroll with Simon Purcell and Julian Siegel, building up to an explosive big band finale, with one HELL of a band (!) including special guest from the US, pianist Marc Cary. All artists are donating their services:

The Line Up is:

Lianne Carroll – Voice
Randolph Matthews – Voice
Fayyon Cottrell – Host

Noel Langley – Trumpet
Yazz Ahmed – Trumpet
Jon Eacott – Trumpet
Sean Corby – Trumpet

Dai Pritchard – Saxophones
Jemma Moore – Saxophones
Julian Siegel – Saxophones
Martin Speake – Saxophones
Renato D’Aiello – Saxophones
Christian Brewer – Saxophones
Tony Kofi – Saxophones
Jason Yarde – Saxophones

Richard Edwards* – Arr and Trombone
Eddie Rieband – Trombone
Harry Brown – Trombone
Nathaniel Cross – Trombone

Neil Charles – Bass
Simon Purcell – Piano
Marc Cary (guest from US)- Piano
Cosimo Keita – Drums
Rod Youngs tbc – Drums
Tim Cansfield* – Guitar
Carl Orr* – Guitar

Graham Evelyn – Percussion
Neville Murray – Percussion

Doors open 7pm. Concert 7.30pm- 9 15pm. All proceeds after costs will be donated to UNICEF. THERE ARE NOW VERY FEW TICKETS LEFT. Tickets £10 from sanda.mcwilliam@sgi-uk.org. Because of the very limited seating capacity, tickets will be made available to SGI members and their friends as a priority.