Alycona Mick & Tori Freestone Criss Cross (Whirlwind Recordings WR4722) Freestone is one of the UK’s most intriguing and creative musicians, exploring the space where jazz, improv, folk music and contemporary classical intersect. Alcyona Mick has a similarly diverse artistic portfolio that encompasses film scores, her own duo/trio Blink and work with international […]
Cloudmakers 5 Traveling Pulse (Whirlwind Recordings) Jim Hart is one of a select group of UK musicians who’s as well established in Europe as his original homeland (he’s lived in France since 2014) and as comfortable in the role of sideman (for Marius Neset, Ivo Neame, Stan Sulzmann and Vula Viel to name […]
Martin Speake Intention (Ubuntu Music UBU0009) Martin Speake is a significant figure in contemporary British jazz, with 18 albums under his belt, including a notable collaboration with Paul Motian, and a long-standing and pivotal teaching post at Trinity Laban. Ethan Iverson has an established international reputation, and presumably more time on his hands […]
Jeff Williams Lifelike (Whirlwind WR4721) Jeff William’s contribution to jazz history stretches back to his epochal 1970s collaboration with Dave Liebman and Richie Beirach’s Lookout Farm, and he’s showing no signs of slowing down. This recording follows on from 2016s well-received Outlier; in a kind of trans-atlantic talent swap, guitarist Phil Robson has […]
Alex Hitchcock/Tom Barford Quartet The Verdict, Brighton Friday 2nd February, 2018 The chordless two tenor quartet of Alex Hitchcock and Tom Barford are a relatively new group but one with an impressive and original sound. Their opening number showed their ability to perform tight unison passages and harmonies, the result of many hours […]
Ivo Neame Quartet The Verdict, Brighton Friday 16th February, 2018 Pianist Ivo Neame successfully bridges the gap between contemporary classical music and contemporary jazz with compositions that have an esoteric and highly original voice. The supporting band of George Crowley, Tom Farmer and James Maddren expertly negotiated some tricky time signature changes […]
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 […]
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 […]
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 […]
Abi Flynn Benefit Concert The Walrus, Brighton Wednesday 6th December, 2017 Beginning with Nature Boy sang beautifully by Lou Beckerman, this was a memorable evening from the opening number, with many of Brighton’s top musicians gathering to raise money (and share the love) for vocalist Abi Flynn. Throughout the evening there were […]