Sebastian writes:

The programme for this year’s fifth Brewin Dolphin Cambridge Jazz Festival has been announced.

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Marius Neset (Photo: ACTMusic)

Among the stand-out features is the presence of no fewer than three Nordic saxophonists: Jan Garbarek‘s group with Trilok Gurtu is at Saffron Hall, 16 miles to the South of Cambridge on 16 November; Marius Neset is at the Mumford Theatre on 23 November; and Mads Mathias will bring a Nat King Cole centenary celebration with the Cambridge University Jazz Orchestra to West Road Concert Hall on 22 November.

Incidentally, LJN is pleased to be associated with the first appearance of German pianist Julia Hülsmann in Cambridge on 15 November.

The full press release states:

Cambridge Jazz Festival unveils this year’s lineup as tickets go on sale

The fifth Brewin Dolphin Cambridge International Jazz Festival will take place from Nov 13 – 24 2019 and as ever we are casting our net wide to include as many aspects of jazz as possible, from the immensely powerful Black Voices Quintet and their band presenting ‘The Soul of Nina Simone’, a giant of jazz history (Concert + workshop, Nov 24, Storey’s Field Centre) to two Norwegian headliners, saxophonists Jan Garbarek, a legend with a career spanning more than 50 years (Saffron Hall, Nov 16) and Marius Neset (concert + masterclass, Mumford Theatre, Nov 23), the Godfather of British Blues, John Mayall (Corn Exchange, Nov 17), British-Bahraini Trumpeter Yazz Ahmed’s 12 piece ensemble performing ‘Polyhymnia’, six movements inspired by some of Ahmed’s heroes from Malala Yousafzai, to the suffragettes (Cambridge Junction, Nov 19); and UK acid jazz and funk group The Brand New Heavies (Cambridge Junction, Nov 14).

The opening night on Wednesday Nov 13^th features one of the UK’s finest soul singers, The Ashton Jones Project and the infectiously energetic Renegade Brass Band (Cambridge Junction) and there will be live painting (and a workshop) from London contemporary artist Gina Southgate at many key events throughout the duration of the Festival.

There will also be a celebration day of Windrush Jazz & Caribbean influenced music at Storey’s Field Centre (+ pop-up Caribbean Food; Nov 17) with Cherise Adams-Burnett and her band presenting ‘Evelyn & The Yellow Birds’; a talk from University of Liverpool’s Head of Music Professor Prof. Cath Tackley on British Jazz Routes; a special music retrospective performance from Routes In Jazz’s of the great Jamaican trumpet icon Dizzy Reece; and a stellar line-up performance from SEED Ensemble, featuring some of London’s most up-and-coming young jazz musicians combining jazz with inner-city London, West African and Caribbean influenced groove.

Performances at Stapleford Granary include Liane Carroll & Claire Martin (Nov 23), Christian Muthspiel & Steve Swallow (Nov 20), Dave Gordon & John Law Duo (Nov 15) and Leon Greening Trio (Nov 24). Headlining at Cambridge Modern Jazz (CUC Wine Bar) will be Camilla George Quartet (Nov 14) and Harry Bolt Quartet (Nov 22). Other events at CUC Wine Bar include: Stan Sulzmann & Nikki Iles (concert + workshop, Nov 17), a debut performance from Josh Blackmore’s new project ‘SiZE’ + Tom Cawley’s ‘False 9’ (Nov 22); and Rob Cope’s God of Apollo, celebrating the 50th anniversary of man first setting foot on the Moon (Nov 23).

Other highlights at various beautiful locations at the University of Cambridge include: Gwilym Simcock’s ‘Near and Now’ (St Catharine’s College, Nov 15), German pianist and composer Julia Hülsmann and her quartet (Gonville & Caius College, Nov 15) marking the 50th anniversary of seminal record label ECM’s inception and the 10th anniversary of London Jazz News; a celebration of Nat King Cole’s 100^th birthday with Danish Singer and saxophonist, Mads Mathias and Cambridge University Jazz Orchestra with (West Road Concert Hall, Nov 22), acclaimed Israeli double bass player, Liran Donin (Clare College Cellars, Nov 23); and Elliot Galvin and his trio + Sam Leak Trio (Darwin College, Nov 19); Lydian Collective (St John’s College, Nov 15). There will also be a showing of Rob Cope’s documentary ‘Richard Turner: A Life in Music’, the story of the iconic and much-loved British trumpet player who tragically died at the age of 27 (Gonville & Caius College, Nov 15).

Performances at The Portland Arms include triple threat drummer, composer producer Richard Spaven + support from Vertaal (Portland Arms, Nov 14), and British Jazz-Rock trio Roller Trio + support from Noya Rao (Portland Arms, Nov 21). There is also the opportunity to enjoy Dinner & Jazz with Georgio Mancio Quartet (The Tamburlaine Hotel, Nov 15) and Robin Phillips Sings & Plays Harry Connick Jr (The Gonville Hotel, Nov 21) and copious amounts of dancing with the hugely fun ‘Yiddish Twist Orchestra (Emmanuel United Reformed Church, Nov 23).

Other events at the award winning Storey’s Field Centre (with gourmet pop-up food vans) include: the legendary Soft Machine (Storey’s Field, Nov 14); Rob Luft Band + Alex Hitchcock Quartet (Nov 16), Resolution 88 + Ishmael Ensemble (Nov 23), family shows from Groove Baby ‘Groove onto The Moon’ (Nov 23) and The Alley Cats featuring special guest Dennis Rollins playing Disney jazz and other family movie favourites (Nov 16); a talk from the award winning Norwegian speaker, drummer and entrepreneur, Carl Størmer on ‘The Jazzcode’; and also a retrospective Photographic & Art Exhibition of the Festivals 5^th Anniversary (Oct 14 to Nov 24). Trailblazers in the new generation of UK Brass Bands, The Brass Funkeys will bring the Festival to a riotous close on November 24!

For the complete programme and line-up of artists, workshops, talks and films visit the website. (pp)

LINK: Cambridge Jazz Festival website