“Play the music that lies within your heart,. Be open-minded, spontaneous and courageous,” says Sergio Mendes. Expect the warmth of Brazil on a November night in London…perhaps even “a mini Rio de […]
Sergio Mendes (Barbican, 15 Nov, EFG LJF 2023)
Abdullah Ibrahim Trio at the Barbican
Abdullah Ibrahim Trio (Barbican, EFG London Jazz Festival Summer Series. 15 July 2023. Review by John Stevenson) Whenever celebrated South African jazz pianist Abdullah Ibrahim performs in London, he is received rapturously […]
Branford Marsalis at the Barbican
Branford Marsalis – with Joey Calderazzo, Eric Revis, Justin Faulkner (Barbican Hall. 12 July 2023. Live review by John Stevenson) Branford Marsalis is a man of multiple talents – an award-winning saxophonist […]
Soweto Kinch in discussion, Spitalfields Festival 2023
Soweto Kinch (Classic Music Sundays Special Edition, Spitalfields Festival. 6 July 2023. Report by John Stevenson) In a special edition of Classic Music Sundays for the Spitalfields Festival, MOBO award-winning jazz saxophonist, […]
‘Black Lives: From Generation to Generation’
Black Lives: From Generation to Generation (Jammin’Colours. Album review by John Stevenson) Black Lives: From Generation to Generation is a sprawling tapestry of Black music drawn from African, Caribbean and African-American musicians […]
Cleveland Watkiss – ‘The Great Jamaican Songbook Vol. 1’
Cleveland Watkiss – The Great Jamaican Songbook Vol. 1 (Cdubya Music. Album review by John Stevenson) On hearing the Norman Granz-produced Ella Fitzgerald Sings the George and Ira Gershwin Song Book for […]
Adam Fairhall/Johnny Hunter – ‘Winifred Atwell Revisited’
Adam Fairhall/Johnny Hunter – Winifred Atwell Revisited(EFPI FP038. CD review by John Stevenson) Winifred who? This is the most likely response from the vast majority of people hearing the name Winifred Atwell […]
Misha Tsiganov – ‘Misha’s Wishes’
Misha Tsiganov – Misha’s Wishes(Criss Cross Jazz 1409. CD review by John Stevenson) An absence of gigging opportunities during the first six months of the pandemic in 2020 provided just the right […]
Arnaud Dolmen – ‘Adjusting’
Arnaud Dolmen – Adjusting(GAYA 054. Album review by John Stevenson) 36-year-old drummer and composer Arnaud Dolmen is taking the rhythms and musical traditions of his native Guadeloupe, the French Caribbean island, in […]
Craig Taborn – ‘Shadow Plays’
Craig Taborn – Shadow Plays (ECM 2693. CD review by John Stevenson) Known for several decades as an adventurous sideman in the equally daring ensembles of saxophonists James Carter, Tim Berne, and […]
Roseanna Vitro – ‘Sing a Song of Bird’
Roseanna Vitro – Sing a Song of Bird (Skyline Records SKYP 2101. CD review by John Stevenson) On Sing a Song of Bird, four jazz vocal titans pay their respects to Charlie […]
‘Montreux Alexander: The Monty Alexander Trio Live! At the Montreux Festival’
Montreux Alexander: The Monty Alexander Trio Live! At the Montreux Festival (MPS-LP 9860. CD review by John Stevenson) Whether in concert or a studio setting, Monty Alexander never ceases to communicate his […]
‘The Revolution Will Be Live’: A Tribute to Gil Scott-Heron at the Jazz Cafe
The Revolution Will Be Live: A Tribute to Gil Scott-Heron (Jazz Cafe, London. 1 September 2021. Live Review by John Stevenson) The spirit of Gil Scott-Heron reigned supreme at the Jazz Cafe […]
RIP Peter Ind (1928-2021)
“Musician, sound engineer, record producer, author, painter.” and former club owner. The great British bassist Peter Ind passed away last night, 20 August 2021, at the age of 93. Bassist Peter Ind, […]
