It’s no secret that South African jazz is going through an exciting and creative period, and one of the artists at the forefront of the scene is 37 year old pianist and producer Bokani Dyer. This is his sixth album [...]
I hope that Taj Mahal (aka Henry St. Claire Fredericks, Jr., b.1942) needs no introduction. If all that name means to you is a mausoleum in Agra or a local restaurant, you may have missed out on a lifetime’s worth [...]
There’s a real sense of excitement surrounding the release of this debut album from the pianist Sultan Stevenson. The young Londoner has been leading his trio of double bassist Jacob Gryn and drummer Joel Waters and building a reputation with [...]
There’s no doubt that Louis Stewart (1944-2016) ranks among the finest jazz guitar players, just ask one and they’ll talk about the Waterford man’s sense of musicality, virtuosity and sumptuous tone. He was an integral part of one of Tubby [...]
We have heard the sad news from a number of sources that Alan Bates, who founded the Black Lion label in 1968, and acquired the Candid label in 1989 and transformed it – and sold it to Exceleration Music in [...]
More buried treasure courtesy of Blue Note. Hot on the heels of November’s Elvin Jones 1967 set Revival: Live at Pookie’s Pub comes a live 1973 Montreux Festival performance from Donald Byrd released today – on what would have been the [...]
I AM WARRIOR marks the 30th anniversary of Gary Crosby and Janine Irons’ vitally important and hugely influential jazz development organisation that has contributed so much to jazz music in the UK and beyond. I AM WARRIOR is their rallying [...]
Samara Joy’s eponymous debut album released by Whirlwind during the Summer of 2021 was a masterpiece. Supported by a trio led by the astonishing guitarist Pasquale Grasso with double bassist Ari Roland and drummer Kenny Washington, the 22 -year old [...]
Guitarist Julian Lage’s second album for Blue Note generally follows the template set down in last year’s Squint. He is supported again by his regular rhythm section of The Bad Plus’s Dave King on drums and bassist Jorge Roeder, producer [...]
Matthew Halsall’s Gondwana Records has become a valued record label as it consistently releases jazz music of the highest quality and emotional content. Their new release from saxophonist and composer Jasmine Myra is a little jewel that doesn’t initially demand [...]
