London Jazz News

I’ve been enjoying getting to know the album “Shock!” from the Gareth Williams Power Trio with Laurence Cottle and Ian Thomas (Linn AKD326). The album launch will be at a three-night residency […]

Dave Holland:teaching in Birmingham I am struck this morning by marked contrast between the celebratory jazz coverage coming out of Birmingham …….and the world-weary tired-of-lifeness which sometimes affects the great city I […]

I am, after hesitation, going to recommend the 17th March gig at Charlie Wrights. Why the hesitation? It’s the ethics of recommending it. The gig showcases the Royal Academy Junior Department- both […]

The Six in Lots Road in Chelsea (above on a quiet night) is a regular haunt of mine. It’s the nearest of the most-nights-or-seven-nights-a-week venues to where I live. It’s part of […]

Review: Jo Harrop (above)/ Alex Stewart/ Alex Webb bandPizza Express Dean Street, 1st MarchA simple, catchy song can get right under the skin, if you let it. And one song by Jo […]

There’s a nice review of a CD by the National Youth Jazz Orchestra (above, with Phil Woods- he’s getting everywhere) by Dave Gelly in today’s Observer. Leave aside the fact that the […]

Joel Frahm (right) and Tim Whitehead (below)There is a particular kind of teenager who finds her, or more likely his, refuge in music. It becomes the obsession, the motivator, plus it’s what […]

BBC Radio 3 Publicity confirmed to me today the rumours which have been circulating: the BBC has indeed withdrawn from running its Jazz Awards this year.Jazz is supported, valued, well promoted and […]

Gene Krupa (1909-1973)There wasn’t really any need for kitchen performance anxiety tonight. One of the cast-iron certainties in British jazz is that a band directed by Pete Long will cook. This remarkable […]

NOT this Phil Woods. A different oneThe 14th Annual Budvar Cheltenham Jazz Festival had its launch at Ronnie Scott’s today. Festival Producer Steve Symons’ blog gives an update of how it’s all […]

A moment, it seems yet another moment when we remember a unique voice in British jazz.Ian Carr died peacefully yesterday.His early career is detailed here .A Nucleus website which announced the news […]

1) On finishing the course: “You’ll know when you’ve finished the course. Some people have already finished before they’ve even started. There are others who will never finish.”Basil Tchaikov’s remark to his […]

P icture of the Blue Notes from the early 1960’s:Chris McGregor (piano) Dudu Pukwana (sax) Louis Moholo (drums), Johnny Dyani( bass) Mongezi Feza (trumpet/flute) The Youtube clip below haunts the mind. Recorded […]

Amazing where things get announced.Oliver Weindling of the Vortex and Babel (pictured above with David Mossman , the father of the old and the new Vortex) has just been awarded an Honorary […]

On May 2nd, 1975, in Whipps Cross Hospital (nearest tube Leytonstone) a global brand was born to parents Ted and Sandra Beckham.As Brand Republic reported yesterday, the custodians of the Beckham brand […]