What was it like growing up in a musical household? “Not that I have much to compare it with, but I have certainly been surrounded by music in some form or another since before I was born. Having parents rooted in the classical world meant that I was listening to most of the standard […]
As January recedes into the chilly mists, we can warm ourselves with the memory of another triumphant South Coast Jazz Festival. Unfortunately an unforeseen host of pressing prior commitments prevented me from attending all but one of the gigs, events, panels and workshops on offer, and I must refer you to my esteemed […]
Legendary British pianist John Critchinson passed away on 15th December at the age of 82. Beginning his jazz career performing with the likes of Tubby Hayes and Ronnie Scott, he became Ronnie Scott’s regular pianist from 1979 onwards performing with a number of visiting Americans such as Joe Henderson and Chet Baker. After Ronnie […]
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 […]
How did you get into jazz? “A heady combination of Coleman Hawkins and Joshua Redman was my first exposure to the saxophone. If that was reflected in my playing even in a small way I’d be very happy! I told a sort of half-truth early on about being able to read chord symbols so […]
Ashley Henry Trio The Verdict Brighton 29th August 2016 Ashley Henry is in town as part of the New Generation season, to promote his LP 5ive, recently released on Jazz:refreshed, and he’s brought along the bass and drum team of Sam Vicari and Sam Gardner who backed him on the record (Verdict regulars […]
Tell us about your musical upbringing and how you got into jazz. “I began playing guitar when I was 11, I had classical guitar lessons for about 3 months and then switched to electric guitar. I had a really great music teacher when I was in secondary school who had our school band learning […]
Tell us about how you got into playing drums and what you get out of it. “I started out around 14 at my secondary school in London. Luckily the drum teacher at the time was a jazz drummer and he hipped me to the likes of Max Roach, Tony Williams and more early on. […]
The New Generation Jazz project is now a quarter of the way through its year-long residency at The Verdict, on a mission to promote the next generation of rising young players and energise the city’s jazz scene. The season kicked off in style in October with the inaugural gig featuring Gary Crosby’s Groundation. […]
Gary Crosby’s Groundation The Verdict, Brighton Friday 30th October 2015 Beginning with a Shirley Tetteh original dedicated to mandolin player Joshua Pinkham and guitarist Frank Vignola, straight away the music was full of energetic, powerful drumming from young Moses Boyd, together with rhythmic interplay with Shirley Tetteh, accompanied by the strong, full sound […]