Month: February 2018

1 February 2018

The Column: Eddie Myer – Variety is the Spice of Life

        As January recedes into the chilly mists, we can warm ourselves with the memory of  another triumphant South Coast Jazz Festival. Unfortunately an unforeseen host of pressing prior commitments prevented me from attending all but one of the gigs, events, panels and workshops on offer, and I must refer you to my esteemed […]

1 February 2018

Zara McFarlane Interview

Vocalist and composer Zara McFarlane spoke to SJM editor Charlie Anderson about taking her new album on the road.   You recorded your third album Arise last year, tell us about the concept of the album.     “At first, I wanted to explore more rhythmical elements from Jamaica and the Caribbean at first. I knew I wanted […]

1 February 2018

Alison Rayner Interview

Bassist and composer Alison Rayner spoke to SJM editor Charlie Anderson ahead of her appearance at Chichester Jazz Club.       With a career spanning more than 40 years, nearly 30 of which have been spent running Blow the Fuse with Deirdre Cartwright, bassist Alison Rayner didn’t release her debut album until 2014. The acclaimed album […]

1 February 2018

Alex Hitchcock Interview

Tell us a bit about your band with Tom Barford.     “It’s a two-tenor fronted chordless quintet with Ferg Ireland on bass and James Maddren on drums.”   What kind of music will you be playing at The Verdict on Friday 2nd February?     “We mostly play compositions of mine and Tom’s – often it’s music […]

1 February 2018

Jazz News (Feb. 2018)

    As well as mourning the recent passing of South African trumpeter Hugh Masekela, the local jazz scene is also mourning the loss of Don Jeffery, who ran Hastings Jazz Club for a number of years and recently passed away. The jazz scene in Sussex is also mourning the loss of drummer Chris Carrington, who […]

1 February 2018

Big Band Scene (Feb. 2018)

Patrick Billingham updates us on the latest big band news and profiles The ConChord Big Band.       Previously, I have mentioned the Facebook group Big Bands Of Brighton.  And I suggested that, by its very nature, it is more reliable as an up to date source of gig information than this column could ever […]

1 February 2018

Pete Recommends…Ahmad Jamal – Poinciana

Each month Peter Batten recommends a recording that jazz fans may wish to add to their personal library.   Ahmad Jamal Poinciana       In the early 1960s I decided to listen to much more Miles. To start I went in search of his recordings from the early 1950s. This was a difficult time for […]

1 February 2018

Live Review: The 2018 South Coast Jazz Festival

South Coast Jazz Festival Ropetackle Arts Centre, Shoreham-by-Sea Saturday 20th – Saturday 27th January, 2018       The South Coast Jazz Festival kicked off its 4th year with The Jazz Repertory Company performing 100 Years of Jazz in 99 Minutes. In the pre-concert Q&A, drummer and bandleader Richard Pite quoted jazz writer Whitney Balliett who […]

1 February 2018

Live Review: Charlie Stacey at The Verdict

Charlie Stacey Trio The Verdict, Brighton Friday 19th January, 2018       After agreeing to fill in at the last minute for Dave Drake, who was unable to leave the US due to visa difficulties, pianist Charlie Stacey performed an impressive mix of standards and originals.     Beginning with Coltrane’s dedication to Sonny Rollins, Like […]

1 February 2018

Live Review: Cloudmakers Five at The Verdict

Cloudmakers Five The Verdict, Brighton Friday 12th January, 2018       Formed eight years ago, Jim Hart’s Cloudmakers Five, originally a trio but extended with saxophone and guitar, have so far released four albums to critical acclaim, mostly due to Jim Hart’s artful compositions and an enviable chemistry between the musicians in the band, all […]

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