Maisha (meaning ‘Life’) are a London-based ensemble led by drummer Jake Long. The band also features Nubya Garcia on saxophone/flute, Shirley Tetteh on guitar, Amane Suganami on keyboard, Twm Dylan on double bass and Tim Doyle on percussion. Tell us about Maisha. “The group play original music inspired by artists such as Alice […]
Love Supreme Festival have announced another selection of artists who will be appearing at the festival this July. They include Kamasi Washington, and Camilla George Quartet whose highly-acclaimed debut album Isang was followed by a successful tour of the UK. Also announced were Corinne Bailey Rae, Kansas Smitty’s House Band, D’Influence and Mica […]
Sara Oschlag & Terry Seabrook’s Trio The Snowdrop, Lewes Monday 20th March 2017 Much-loved vocalist Sara Oschlag performed a mixture of some of her signature tunes such as the blues It’s Alright, Okay, You Win and Bye Bye Blackbird together with a selection of other well-known standards, including Sarah Vaughan’s version of Misty (from […]
You play in the Small’s house band. How’s that going? “It’s now at The Verdict. It’s finding its feet at the new venue. I think it’s going to be fine. We were worried because the place before, The Caxton Arms, had a really special vibe to it and a special sound to it. But […]
Tell us about your record label, Symbol Records. How did it all start? “It was 1999. I’d known Geoff Simkins for a few years so we got together in a pub by the Dome, we were chatting. I’d decided not to go to music college because I couldn’t afford it, basically. I could get […]
Whilst The Palmeira in Hove have abruptly halted the much appreciated jazz jam, there are plenty of opportunites to see trumpet maestro Chris Coull. He’s the special guest at The Master Mariner on Thursday 2nd and at The Snowdrop on Monday 27th March. Although the Albion stopped its Monday afternoon jazz sessions last […]
SJM: You’ve played a wide range of jazz styles, from the Chris Barber Band to Terence Blanchard’s The Inner City Ensemble. What’s your favourite style of jazz? Amy Roberts: I’m really open minded when it comes to styles of jazz, and in fact music full stop. My journey into jazz started with big band jazz […]
Did the piano happen first or did you get into jazz first? “No. It was originally piano lessons with a guy called Mr. Payne, who everybody in the local area went to. And that was like £2 for half an hour. So that was in a kind of straight-laced way and then he passed […]
You’ve played with a long list of jazz legends, who have been your favourites? “As a teenager I was privileged to play with some great British players: George Chisholm, Martin Drew, Tony Lee, Acker Bilk, Bruce Turner etc. Later, I worked with Kenny Baker, Kenny Ball, Jim Mullen, Sir John Dankworth & Cleo Laine. I […]
Geoff Simkins with Terry Seabrook The Snowdrop, Lewes Monday 23rd January, 2017 Whilst alto saxophonist Geoff Simkins is well known for his West Coast cool and bebop playing, performing uptempo versions of Anthropology, Invitation and I Remember April, the highlight was a beautiful rendition of Billy Strayhorn’s ballad Chelsea Bridge which exhibited Simkins’ […]