Empirical Interview
Jazz ensemble Empirical recently released their 4th studio album Tabula Rasa and have been touring the UK to promote it. Ahead of their appearance this month in Brighton, SJM editor Charlie Anderson caught up with bassist Tom Farmer and asked him some questions submitted by readers of The Sussex Jazz Magazine. So, my first question […]
Studio 9 Orchestra Interview
The Studio 9 Orchestra was formed in 2011 by Scott Sheridan and Philippe Guyard. Here, saxophonist Philippe discusses the orchestra’s latest project, a suite composed by Simon d’Souza based on the poetry of thirteenth century Sufi poet Rumi. How did the project come about? “For Studio 9 it was a meeting of several ideas […]
The Residency: The Snowdrop Inn, Lewes
The Residency: Terry Seabrook on The Snowdrop Inn, Lewes At the edge of a small Sussex town at the bottom of the cliff by a tunnel lies a small pub named after an 1836 snow avalanche, the worst in British history, which killed 15 people. The Snowdrop Inn is now a much safer place […]
Improv Column: Terry Seabrook’s Jazz Tip of the Month No. 6
Pianist Terry Seabrook’s Jazz Tip of the Month No. 6 Encoding The Chord Changes With Some Colour Here’s a nice little idea to help the amateur improviser find the scales to use over the “changes” in a chord sequence. (“Changes” is a word meaning the chords, as they “change” from one to the next) […]
The Column: Eddie Myer – New Electric Slide
History was briefly reversed for an evening last year when one Monday shortly before Christmas a temporary and very localised electrical problem cut the power at our regular gig at the Bee’s Mouth here in Brighton, leaving us with our instruments untouched but our amps redundant. Stalwarts that we are, we carried on jamming […]
Ben Castle Interview
After a night on the town, saxophonist Ben Castle was interrogated by Charlie Anderson. Gary Burton recently complained that he gets asked the same questions in interviews: how did you start? why do you play the vibraphone? tell us about your new record, etc. So, Ben, just to be different, why do you play […]
Mingus Underground Interview
How did the project come about? Andy Pickett: “I’ve always been a big fan of Mingus, since I first got into jazz, and Mingus Ah Um was one of the first jazz albums that I bought way back in the days before CDs. As a player I’ve long wanted to try and play some of […]
Nigel Price Interview
Guitarist Nigel Price spent three years with the James Taylor Quartet, is a member of The Filthy Six (the latest signing on the legendary Acid Jazz label) and is also a regular performer at Ronnie Scotts and in 2010 The Nigel Price Organ Trio won the Parliamentary Jazz Award for best jazz ensemble. Jazz […]
Improv Column: Wayne McConnell – Is Jazz Worth My While?
Pianist Wayne McConnell asks: Is Jazz Worth My While? The problem with learning jazz is that you really have to want it. There is no quick fix for learning this complex art form. There is no one scale and no one way of doing things. The best jazz musicians are able to take what has gone […]
Jazz Education Review: Jazz Improvisation by Coursera
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 […]