From the first track, Cabs and Kings, a reference to Cab Calloway and King Oliver, it’s obvious that you’re listening to the arrangements of someone who appreciates the rich history of big band music. The second track, Solid Ground, begins with just the baritone sax (played by Chris Peryagh) and uses the rhythm […]
Brighton Jazz Education Conference The Verdict, Brighton Saturday 12th April 2014 Brighton Jazz School’s Wayne McConnell began the inaugural Brighton Jazz Education Conference with a talk on the subject of ‘Jazz and Community’ and the idea of ‘communities of practice’. You can read more about this in Wayne’s monthly column, below. […]
SJM editor and vibraphonist Charlie Anderson reviews the Coursera online course in Jazz Improvisation. This MOOC (Massive Open Online Course) is a free online course taught by Gary Burton, suitable for all instruments. This free, five-week course on jazz improvisation is run by Berklee via Coursera.org. It’s essentially the first five weeks of […]
Straight No Chaser Big Band The Brunswick, Hove Sunday 8th December, 2013 When Louis Armstrong returned to his hometown of New Orleans after becoming a star, he was nervous that people wouldn’t want to see him as he hadn’t been back there for many years. But when he arrived at the train station, […]
Claire Martin with The Montpellier Cello Quartet, supported by Cloggz The Old Market, Hove Thursday 19th December 2013 Raising money for Brighton Women’s Centre, this special evening began with support act Cloggz, directed by pianist Mark Edwards. Performing some hauntingly beautiful cinematic music, such as the themes from The Mission and […]
The Sussex Jazz Orchestra The Brunswick, Hove 24/11/13 The ubiquitous Mark Bassey has been leading the Sussex Jazz Orchestra since September and his good humoured approach and keen ear have resulted in a great sounding ensemble that embraces the musical history of the ensemble. Mark’s solo trombone playing was featured in two […]
Gareth Williams/Piers Clark/Dave Green/Steve Brown Smalls, Caxton Arms, Brighton Thursday 28th November, 2013 They started the first set with the old classic Rosetta (one which isn’t heard enough these days) and then started the second set with another classic, Avalon, played at a fast swinging tempo. In between were other classics such as Oscar […]
Damon Brown International Quintet The Verdict, Brighton Friday 29th November, 2013 This was an evening of some great modern hard bop playing which kindled memories of the Donald Byrd/Jackie McClean partnership of the late Fifties. And if anyone can imitate the sound of Fifties Jackie McClean it’s certainly French saxophonist Pierrick Pedron. […]
Kit Downes Trio/Pablo Held Trio The Verdict, Brighton Wednesday 4th December, 2013 Everyone likes a bargain, especially during the festive period, and a bargain was certainly to be had at The Verdict, last Wednesday. This was a ‘buy one get one free’ special, with not just one, but two wonderful trios on […]
Sam Miles Quartet The Verdict, Brighton Saturday 30th November, 2013 Young saxophonist Sam Miles grew up in Sussex listening to classic jazz and this permeates the sound that he gets from the tenor saxophone. Having studied at the Royal Academy of Music his playing continues to develop and grow. His soprano saxophone tone […]