Charlie Anderson rounds up the latest jazz news.

Claire Martin OBE and Pete Long have started a new jazz podcast, entitled Croydon Omelette, which aims to be both informative and fun. Last year they presented the Christmas show on Jazz FM, and previously Claire was a regular host on BBC Radio 3’s Jazz Line Up. I asked her how it compared to shows that she’s done in the past.

“Well it’s like a breath of fresh air as Pete and I can totally improvise the script, choose our own material and not worry about making the odd boo-boo. I can also enjoy a good laugh and it stays in the programme and isn’t edited out. Without any disrespect to the BBC, they do have a LOT of red tape!!! This is just the best fun I’ve had broadcasting and with Pete who I feel is a national treasure, it’s an utter joy.”

The new show will be one episode per season. Their autumn episode features food-themed music and special guest Nigel Price, while the next one will be their ‘Christmas Stocking Special’ in December.

Claire Martin is also a co-director of the South Coast Jazz Festival, which, although not happening this January should return at some point next year. In the meantime it’s been nominated for Jazz Venue/Promoter of the Year at the Parliamentary Jazz Awards, alongside Jazz Re:freshed and Sheffield’s Jazz At The Lescar. The awards ceremony takes place on 16th October at Pizza Express Live, Holborn. Also nominated for a Parliamentary Jazz Award is the amazing Liane Carroll. Following on from her successful album The Right To Love, she is nominated for Jazz Vocalist of the Year, alongside Georgia Mancio, Zara McFarlane and Ian Shaw.

Last year’s Vocalist of the Year winner, Cleveland Watkiss, appears in the theatre production of Trench Brothers at Brighton Dome on 17th October. The show, which commemorates the contributions of ethnic minority soldiers during the First World War, features music by Julian Joseph and Richard Taylor with words by Tertia Sefton-Green and coincides with the Trench Brothers Exhibition at Newhaven Fort.