“He was an incredible film composer, incredible jazz song composer and an incredible jazz performer: we were trying to represent all three of the sides to Richard on this album,” says American conductor and pianist Scott Dunn. A new album features UK [...]
Drummer and conga-player RJ Spangler runs the Eastlawn record label in Detroit. He’s playing on two new recordings: Spangler talked about finding rare Ellington tunes to record, and long-standing musical collaborations in Detroit. UKJazz News: What made you focus on [...]
Portuguese singer Amália Baraona grew up in Brazil listening to Bossa Nova. She’s put together a new album of songs mainly by Brazilian composer and pianist João Donato, who’s been part of the Bossa Nova movement since it began. He [...]
It was the first gig Oxford-based pianist and bassist Frank Harrison and Mark Hodgson had organised together, and Harrison wasn’t sure what to tell us. It was enough to know that world-class British saxophonist and drummer Iain Ballamy and Martin [...]
Award-winning UK pianist David Gordon draws on Latin music, modern jazz and Bach’s compositions for his new album released on Mister Sam Records. He’s worked with Jacqui Dankworth, Andy Sheppard, John Etheridge and Wynton Marsalis as well as being an [...]
It was Dhafer Youssef’s birthday. “Don’t remind me,” smiled the Tunisian oud-player and vocalist, with winsome humour- he didn’t want to “celebrate his oldness.” But the audience showed their devotion to him with Happy Birthday anyway, and Youssef responded with [...]
“An evening of Joni Mingus,” said conductor and musical director Peter Edwards. His slip of the tongue perfectly described the fusion of music played by this 18-piece UK band, fronted by the generous talent of London-based vocalist ESKA. Joni Mitchell [...]
It was the end of the tour for US singer Dianne Reeves and there was a feeling of irrepressible excitement. Her band got into its stride with an instrumental Softly, as in a Morning Sunrise beginning and ending with a [...]
“Love Quiet” is the new album by UK singer-songwriter-pianist Joanna Eden. She talked about the influence of Uruguayan music on her song writing; supporting Van Morrison and Jamie Cullum; teaching Sam Smith, and her upcoming gig at the London Jazz [...]
UK singer, pianist, composer and arranger Anthony Strong has a new album for imminent release – ‘Easy Sailing’. His distinctive mix of jazz, swing and pop has been honed by extensive UK and international tours. Lauded by Jamie Cullum and [...]
