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 […]
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 […]
Vocalist and composer Zara McFarlane spoke to SJM editor Charlie Anderson about taking her new album on the road. You recorded your third album Arise last year, tell us about the concept of the album. “At first, I wanted to explore more rhythmical elements from Jamaica and the Caribbean at first. I knew I wanted […]
Bassist and composer Alison Rayner spoke to SJM editor Charlie Anderson ahead of her appearance at Chichester Jazz Club. With a career spanning more than 40 years, nearly 30 of which have been spent running Blow the Fuse with Deirdre Cartwright, bassist Alison Rayner didn’t release her debut album until 2014. The acclaimed album […]
Tell us a bit about your band with Tom Barford. “It’s a two-tenor fronted chordless quintet with Ferg Ireland on bass and James Maddren on drums.” What kind of music will you be playing at The Verdict on Friday 2nd February? “We mostly play compositions of mine and Tom’s – often it’s music […]
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 […]
Pianist and composer Elliot Galvin spoke to SJM editor Charlie Anderson. How did you first get into playing piano? “I started when I was pretty young, when I was about six or seven. My next door neighbour had a piano and I used to go round there and just have a little tinkle on […]