Calabashed – Behold A Black Wave (Purple City PURP004 vinyl/download. EP review by Mark McKergow) Eclectic London project Calabashed present an ear-catching set of soundscapes on their debut EP including harp, saxophone and […]
James Copus – Dusk (Ubuntu Music UBU0058. CD review by Mark McKergow) At just 25 years of age, trumpeter James Copus has rapidly been making a name for himself on the London jazz scene. A graduate […]
Article XI – Live in Newcastle (Discus 89CD/DL. CD review by Mark McKergow) Guitarist Anton Hunter’s eleven-strong ensemble is captured in a performance which shows impressive interweaving of compositions and group improvisation, wonderful […]
Bukky Leo Quartet ft. Clifford Jarvis – Evolution (Drift Recordings. CD review by Mark McKergow) This storming set sees American drum legend Clifford Jarvis team up with saxophonist Bukky Leo, pianist Jonathan Gee and bassist Pete Kubryk Townsend in […]
Saxophonist and clarinettist Giacomo Smith is a leading light in Kansas Smitty’s House Band, the era-spanning talented musicians based around their eponymous bar in Hackney’s Broadway Market. The group have quickly built […]
Various artists – To The Jazz Bar With Love (The Jazz Bar, Edinburgh. Digital album review by Mark McKergow) The Jazz Bar, hub of the music in Scotland’s capital is, like every […]
Ali Affleck is a self-confessed ‘vintage vocalist’ specialising in powerful performances of early jazz songs and styles. She was voted Best Jazz Vocalist by the Scottish Jazz Federation in 2014. Ali has […]
Scottish National Jazz Orchestra with Niall Greig Fulton – Planet Wave (Queens Hall Edinburgh, 21 February 2020. Review by Mark McKergow) The SNJO re-stretched their musical boundaries with this emphatic performance of […]
Daniel Casimir and Tess Hirst – These Days (jazz re:freshed jrf0019: CD review by Mark McKergow) Bassist Daniel Casimir and vocalist Tess Hirst hit a very jazz high spot with their debut […]
Jazzmeia Horn/Scottish National Jazz Orchestra – The Artistry of Jazzmeia Horn (Usher Hall, Edinburgh. 24 November 2019. Review by Mark McKergow) Jazz vocalist extraordinary Jazzmeia Horn raised the roof of Edinburgh’s Usher […]
The Calum Gourlay Quartet – New Ears (Ubuntu Music UBU0043. CD review by Mark McKergow) Composer, band leader and double bass virtuoso Calum Gourlay reinforces his place as one of the UK’s […]
Johnny Griffin and Eddie ‘Lockjaw’ Davis – Ow! Live At The Penthouse (Reel To Real RTRCD003 – CD review by Mark McKergow) The two tenor saxophones of Johnny Griffin and Eddie ‘Lockjaw’ […]
Luca Manning – When The Sun Comes Out (Luca Manning. CD review by Mark McKergow) The debut CD from Glasgow vocalist Luca Manning is a real landmark – a stripped-back collection of […]
Natacha Atlas – Strange Days (Whirlwind Recordings WR4744. CD review by Mark McKergow) Egyptian-British vocalist Natacha Atlas shifts closer to the jazz world with this powerful and intriguing album with an international band, […]
BATL Quartet – LIVE (RT Jazz Records RTJR002 – CD review by Mark McKergow) BATL Quartet – led by tenorist Brandon Allen and pianist Tim Lapthorn – hits the groove and the […]
