The Verdict Receives Crisis Grant Brighton’s The Verdict have received a crisis grant to help ensure its survival during the current coronavirus pandemic. The much-needed funds were confirmed in late April. Roxanne Checkley said, “I am immensely relieved and grateful, my thoughts are with the other 500+ venues that face potential closure in this crisis.” […]
Love Supreme Line Up Announcement Love Supreme Festival have announced more artists to their line up, with The Cinematic Orchestra joining headliners Ms. Lauryn Hill and Gladys Knight. The Cinematic Orchestra have released their first album in 12 years, To Believe, on the Ninja Tune label. The line up for The Bandstand and Friday night’s Arena […]
Brighton Festival: John Surman St. George’s Church, Kemptown, Brighton Thursday 10th May, 2018 A performance by virtuoso musician John Surman is a rarity in the UK as the 73 year old veteran currently resides in Norway, and his last performance in Brighton was back in 2014. His musical collaborations with Norwegian pianist and […]
Brighton Festival: The Last Poets Theatre Royal, Brighton Tuesday 15th My, 2018 ‘When the Revolution Comes’. The words echo in the 200-year-old edifice, with the same aggression and truth, and sending the same message today as they did when first spoken by The Last Poets nearly 50 years ago. The seated audience […]
Brighton Festival: A Change Is Gonna Come – Music for Human Rights Brighton Dome Concert Hall Tuesday 22nd May, 2018 Beginning with Coltrane’s iconic composition Alabama, Nubya Garcia confidently displayed both the technique and emotional depth required to produce a version of this deeply moving memorial to the four children murdered by members of […]
SJM editor Charlie Anderson spoke with award winning Norwegian pianist, composer and teacher Vigleik Storaas ahead of his appearance with the legendary John Surman at this year’s Brighton Festival. You’ve obviously known John Surman for a long time, you’ve been playing together since the mid-1990s in the Nordic Quartet. “Yes, I think the […]
Veteran jazz photographer and SJM contributor Brian O’Connor launches an exhibition of his jazz photography at the Clocktower Cafe in Croydon next month. Having photographed a number of jazz artists since 1971, the exhibition will have its official opening on Saturday 7th April at 2pm by the deputy mayor of Croydon, with music supplied […]
Tell us about Melt Yourself Down. What inspired you to put it together? “I was inspired to do it by listening to the music of Ali Hassan Kuban which made me want to create something with the huge energy and joy of his and other Nubian musicians’ performances.” How do you go about […]
Picture one elfin-faced woman, dressed in black, with a crop of spiky hair and a mischievous grin, on stage with a violin, talking in her soft American accent about dogs. Then picture one of the largest, most vibrant and innovative arts festivals in Europe. Add to that ice-cream, fish and chips, deckchairs and […]
Benjamin Clementine Theatre Royal, Brighton Thursday 21st May If you have ever had one of those moments, a turning flash in your life, like a dazzling comet falling to earth, then the appearance of Benjamin Clementine in the Brighton Festival 2015 line-up, could easily count as a landmark to that point. Tonight’s performance […]