Rob Adams writes: Robin Morton was a hugely influential figure on the folk and traditional music scene in Scotland and across the world, and yet if he’d followed his initial musical dream, […]
RIP Robin Morton (1939-2021)
Ben Wilcock (new album ‘The River Tethys’, Thick Records NZ)
New Zealand pianist Ben Wilcock has added a new ingredient to his music. His latest album, The River Tethys is inspired by science-fiction and includes standards and even an Irish slip jig […]
Beverley Beirne (new album ‘Dream Dancer’)
A chance meeting online paid dividends for Beverley Beirne when top New York keyboards player/record producer Jason Miles – of Miles Davis, Aretha Franklin and Luther Vandross fame – offered to work […]
Janette Mason (‘Wall to Wall Bowie’ EP, released 25 June / Ronnie Scott’s gig 10 August)
“It’s not a tribute, it’s a reworking and a celebration,” says Janette Mason of her Wall to Wall Bowie EP which is released on 10” vinyl and CD on 25 June. Rob […]
Scottish National Jazz Orchestra / Maria Rud premiere ‘Where Rivers Meet’ (12-15 May)
The visionary musical ideas of Albert Ayler, Ornette Coleman, Dewey Redman and Anthony Braxton meet the spontaneous creativity of the Edinburgh-based Russian artist Maria Rud in one of the architectural gems of […]
NZ Saxophonist Lucien Johnson (new album ‘Wax///Wane’)
New Zealand saxophonist Lucien Johnson tells Rob Adams about his musical journeying ahead of the release on 1 April of a new digital album, Wax///Wane. Lucien Johnson knows the value of preparation. […]
SNJO Releases Video to Celebrate Burns Night
The Scottish National Jazz Orchestra has released a video of a Robert Burns song to mark the band’s absence from its habitual gig at Ronnie Scott’s on the birthday of Scotland’s national […]
GoFundMe Campaign launched to help keyboardist Steve Hamilton
A GoFundMe campaign has been started to help pianist and keyboardist Steve Hamilton following surgery to remove his right kidney, writes Rob Adams. Hamilton, who lived and worked in London for a […]
Debut album from septet Ensemble C, led by pianist Claire Cope
London-based pianist/composer Claire Cope can’t wait for travelling to be restored as an everyday option, especially for touring musicians. As the name of her septet’s debut album, Small World, might imply, in […]
Edinburgh’s Jazz Bar is 15 Years Old
When Bill Kyle opened The Jazz Bar in Chambers Street on Edinburgh’s southside on 1 July 2005, it was the result of dedication, determination and coincidence, write Patrick Hadfield and Rob Adams. […]
Niels Lan Doky – “River of Time”
Niels Lan Doky – River of Time (Inner Adventures. CD Review by Rob Adams) Danish-Vietnamese pianist Niels Lan Doky first appeared on UK jazz listeners’ radar in an international quartet of Berklee music […]
#IWD2020: Sun-Mi Hong, drummer
When Sun-Mi Hong was twelve, she saw and heard a drum kit for the first time. It was the start of a fixation that has led to the Korean-born Sun, as she […]
Fergus McCreadie Trio coming to the 606 Club (4 March)
Rob Adams previews: Multi-award-winning Scottish pianist Fergus McCreadie brings his trio to the 606 Club on Wednesday 4 March, the group’s first London appearance since McCreadie’s debut recording, Turas, won Album of […]
Vijay Iyer’s Ritual Ensemble & In Conversation (Wigmore Hall, 10/11 Jan)
Pianist Vijay Iyer brings his Ritual Ensemble to the Wigmore Hall on Friday 10 January as part of his role as the venue’s Composer in Residence for 2019/20. The concert, which will be […]
Guitarist Mikael Máni (new album, Bobby, out now)
Mikael Máni’s interest in the guitar was sparked by a Jimmy Page solo, and his interest in Bobby Fisher stemmed from his fascination with all-consuming passion. The Mikael Máni Trio’s album Bobby […]
