London Jazz Festival 2009: Fri 13- Sun 22 November
The London Jazz Festival in association with BBC Radio 3 returns for its 17th year with a jam-packed programme that is truly reflective of the diverse nature of the capital. From stars of the American jazz tradition and key players on the European scene through to free musical thinkers and the best of British, plus a whole raft of free concerts and opportunities to get involved in the music - there is something for everyone.
Jazzreloaded recommends:
MICHAEL MWENSO & JAY PHELPS
Two of the country’s hottest emerging jazz talents, Michael Mwenso and Jay Phelps, explore the history of the music from the perspective of a younger generation. From the early days of jazz in the deep south to the worldwide scene of today, Michael and Jay will take you on a journey
through the years with infectious enthusiasm, and using live and recorded music to illustrate your way in to the way out! Two of the country’s hottest emerging jazz talents, Michael Mwenso and Jay Phelps, explore the history of the music from the perspective of a younger generation. From the early days of jazz in the deep south to the worldwide scene of today, Michael and Jay will take you on a journey through the years with infectious enthusiasm, and using live and recorded music to illustrate your way in to the way out!
Date Saturday 14 November 2009
Time 2:00pm
Venue:
Front Room / Southbank Centre
Belvedere Road
London
SE1 8XX
0871 663 2500
Tickets: Free
ZOE RAHMAN
Rahman’s sparklingly virtuosic piano playing draws equally on her profound sense of melody and her Bengali heritage to produce a highly personalised style that’s won her both critical and popular acclaim. Following her Mercury-nominated album Melting Pot with her mesmerising Indian-influenced Where Rivers Meet, she combines all her influences here in a solo concert.
You’ll be able to catch Rahman as she plays her way around the city as part of Festival on the Move, a strand of progamming that sees musicians explore the breadth and depth of the capital
CLAUDE DEPPA
A leading exponent of African jazz who has worked with such legends as Miriam Makeba, Tony Allen and Manu Dibango, genre-hopping trumpeter Deppa is at home playing jazz, funk, Afro-Cuban and even chamber jazz styles. Live, it’s that irresistible dance pulse that turns even his jazziest tune into a feast for the heart and the hips.
Part of Greenwich Jazz
ROBERT GLASPER & BILAL + STONEPHACE
Hip hop-influenced pianist Glasper follows the likes of McCoy Tyner and Herbie Hancock as the Blue Note label’s latest piano star to push the classic trio format into uncharted territory. A loose-limbed and expressive soloist, Glasper incorporates fractured and insistent melodic loops in his heavily rhythmic style. Tonight he is joined by regular collaborator and hip hop star Bilal.
“Glasper unfailingly gets the feeling right. The music is direct, forceful, inventive and accessible.” New York Magazine
Opening the evening is Stonephace: lauded free jazz/Working Week saxophonist Larry Stabbins is joined by Portishead guitarist Adrian Utley to play across a beat-ladensoundscape created by Krzysztof Oktalski and Helm DeVegas, with immersive, highly danceable results.
HEIDI VOGEL BAND + BRIAN EDWARDS
Singing sensation Vogel – who’s appeared on recordings with the Brand New Heavies and Isaac Hayes – brings a deeply sensual sophistication to her harmonically rich Brazilian-tinged music.
Saxophonist Brian Edwards will play with his band before leading a jam session.
45 Pitfield St
London
N1 6DA
084 4447 1000
With an extraordinary command of the tenor and soprano saxophone, Branford Marsalis has brought a fierce intelligence and fluidity to the instrument’s post-Coltrane lineage. By absorbing Coltrane’s methodology along with classical music performances, Marsalis and his music have increasingly grown in stature. With both latest album Metamorphosen and its predecessor Braggtown among his strongest works to date, Marsalis and band are a thrilling prospect live.
“Hearing the Branford Marsalis Quartet up close is like experiencing a force of nature.” Seattle Times
Pianist Mitchell leads his propulsive trio through his own complex yet catchy originals laced with his dazzling virtuosic solos. Their debut album won Best Jazz Album in Gilles Peterson’s Worldwide Awards 09.
REGINA CARTER
Always mesmerising live, Detroit-born violinist Carter’s spellbinding playing is a stylistic history lesson in her instrument’splace in music, as she effortlessly combines fiery improvisational fluency with classical, Latin and African influences.
Also plays Wed 18 Nov.
FEMI TEMOWO
Guitarist Temowo, best known for his dazzling displays with saxophonist Soweto Kinch, performs fast-fingered post-bop that embraces Afro-beat, classical themes and beyond.
90 Lots Rd
London
SW10 0QD
020 7352 5953
OMAR PUENTE
Mesmerising Cuban electric violinist Puente mixes a boundless classical technique with Caribbean heart and soul and fiery jazz-informed improvisation. Here launching his debut album From There To Here.
Presented by Como No & Destin-E
ZEM AUDU
Astonishingly talented tenorist Audu has been making waves with his fast, fluid solos and robustly warm tone.
90 Lots Rd
London
SW10 0QD
020 7352 5953
JULIET KELLY
Honey-voiced jazz and soul singer Kelly performs a short set of artfully reworked soul and pop classics – you can hear her full set at the PizzaExpress Jazz Club on Sat 21 Nov.
Honey-voiced Kelly sings her way into the night with her alluring confessional originals and her jazzified take on Soul II Soul’s Back To Life creating the perfect late night soundtrack.
113-119 Charing Cross Rd
London
WC2H 0EB
020 7440 3205
MICHAEL MWENSO
The hippest hepcat in town, multiinstrumentalist and charismatic singer Mwenso brings exuberant energy and humour to everything he plays, from classic swing to soul and funk. He’s as dapper as he is dynamic
3-7 Delancey St
London
NW1 7NL
0207 383 7808
ROYAL ACADEMY OF MUSIC
The Royal Academy of Music is proud to honour the music of three fine jazz composers – Pete Hurt, Henry Lowther and Pete Saberton – as part of its Contemporary British Jazz Composer concert series. In this evening’s concert a cross section of their past and new works will be performed featuring the composers themselves as guest soloists.
CLEVELAND WATKISS
The richly expressive voice of Cleveland Watkiss has been at the heart of some the key movements in UK jazz over three decades - Cleveland at 50 brings together a fascinating array of his friends and musical associates in a night that celebrates a journey through the myriad styles and individuals that characterise British jazz today.
Whether you’re familiar with Cleveland Watkiss through his collaborations with Goldie or Talvin Singh, his work with seminal bands like the original Jazz Warriors and Jazz Train or you’ve listened to his scatting over a classic be bop tune, there is no doubt that vocalist Watkiss has led a remarkable career to date.
In recognition of this and to celebrate his 50th birthday the Festival presents the world premiere of an evening that takes in the astounding variety of Cleveland’s musical ventures over the years – ranging from reggae and electronica through to jazz and drum ‘n’ bass. The concert features over 30 guests whom Cleveland has worked with over the years ranging from Goldie and Talvin Singh to Alex Wilson and Nikki Yeoh.
Over the course of an evening of reunion and discovery, Watkiss and a host of friends old and new, will celebrate his considerable achievements as well as the diversity of sounds that has made up the British jazz scene over the last 50 years. The show will also feature a performance by a class of children from Rushmore Primary School where Cleveland went to school, the culmination of a workshop project that has run through the autumn.
Augmented with specially created visuals it promises to be a thrilling evening of entertainment.
Catch all on one stage on one night: Alan Weekes, Alex Wilson, Bonnie Greer, Brian Edwards, Byron Wallen, Derek Richards, DJ Le Rouge, Gene Calderazzo, Goldie, Heidi Vogel, Jason Rebello, Jean Toussaint, Kenrick Rowe, Larry Bartley, Mark Hodsgon, Mark Mondesir, Martin Speake, Nikki Yeoh, Orphy Robinson, Shaney Forbes, Sheila Jordan, Simon Purcell, Steve Sidwell, Talvin Singh, Trevor Watkis, Tunde Jegede, Vayu Naidu, plus more special guests appearing on the night.
Belvedere Road
London
SE1 8 XX
0871 663 2500
DENY’S BAPTISTE QUARTET
Saxophonist and Mercury Prize nominee Denys Baptiste returns to the classic quartet format, blending indigenous Caribbean and African rhythms with fast-paced American post-bop themes.
6 Moor Street
London
W1D 5NA
020 7739 3025
DAVE HOLLAND, CHRIS POTTER, JASON MORAN & ERIC HARLAND: OVERTONE QUARTET + DAVID JEAN-BAPTISTE: CLARINET…
Composer/bandleader/bassist Dave Holland has been a vital and progressive figure across four decades of jazz and here provides the pulse for a specially formed quartet, featuring fellow heavy hitters tenor luminary Chris Potter, Monk-influenced piano tyro Jason Moran and phenomenal drummer Eric Harland. This will be a masterclass of quicksilver improvising and profoundly melodic jazz.
Extraordinary clarinetist, basset-horn player and composer Jean-Baptiste brings together a new clarinet quartet especially for the Festival. As Jean-Baptiste himself says “it’s a modern day representation of music that identifies with jazz and improvisation, classical and contemporary, groove, folk and world music.” Expect something special at this premiere performance.
This concert will be broadcast in Jazz Line-Up on Sun 27 Dec
Please note: stage seats can be booked for this performance by going to the Southbank box office in person or by calling 0844 875 0073
Belvedere Road
London
SE1 8 XX
0871 663 2500
Tickets: £25/ £20/ £10 + bkg.
ZHENYA STRIGALEV + BELLATRIX & THE BOXETTES
Fiery modern jazz from Zhenya who has established himself as one of London’s leading saxophonists. The last album is called “Off the Cut” which was done together with top UK pianist Nick Ramm. Zhenya has also collaborated with many recognized UK and international musicians including Foley McCreary, Robert Mitchell, Chris “Daddy” Dave, Sussan Deyhim, Mondesir Brothersto name a few.
The Boxettes led by phenomenally talented female beatboxer, Bellatrix, the headlining all-female a capella vocal group explore extended vocal techniques hitched to jazz, hip-hop and soul sensibilities, with extraordinary results.
45 Pitfield St
London
N1 6DA
084 4447 1000
LED BIB
Nominated for this year’s prestigious Mercury Music Prize for their incendiary fourth album Sensible Shoes, drummer Mark Holub’s scorching post-jazz unit mix punk, funk and surreal swing with coruscating twin alto saxes, surging Fender Rhodes and riotous basslines.
POLAR BEAR + ZED-U + TROYKA
Drummer Seb Rochford’s Mercury Prize-nominated Polar Bear headline this night of post-jazz mavericks with their vital blend of off-kilter melodies, wild electronics and jagged rhythms. Zed-U and Troyka bring dub-tronica and neo-prog to this mix of new jazz sounds from today’s generation of young Brits including rising stars Shabaka Hutchings and Kit Downes.
JAY PHELPS
Rising star trumpeter Jay Phelps (best known for his work with Empirical) unleashes his forward-looking new band of gifted young players including powerful tenorist Shabaka Hutchings and bassist Karl Rasheed-Abel on fresh and forthright new material.
Silk Street
London
EC2Y 8DS
020 7638 8891
FEMI TEMOWO
Guitarist Temowo is best known for his work alongside award-winning saxophonist Soweto Kinch. Here with his own band he mixes a dizzying array of styles from fast bop, angular fusion and African themes with effortless virtuosity.
Femi Temowo has been supported by Escalator, the pioneering talent plan from Arts Council England, East
113-119 Charing Cross Rd
London
WC2H 0EB
020 7440 3205
EMPIRICAL
Bursting onto the UK jazz scene two years ago with the stunning eponymous debut album, this sparkling young band return to the fray with a new line up and an intricately wrought new album Out ‘n’ In. Led by superb saxophonist Nathaniel Facey and powered by inventive drummer Shaney Forbes, this is top-notch neo-bop.
3-7 Delancey St
London
NW1 7NL
0207 383 7808
JULIA BIEL
Bewitching singer Biel rose to great acclaim for her soulful, acoustic approach on her sensual debut album Not Alone. Here she launches her new album that features her breathlessly beautiful vocals and quietly unfolding melodies.
“Her mesmerising voice and magnetic stage presence should encourage many to follow where she leads.” The Guardian
JASON YARDE
For the second of Radio 3’s Jazz Line-Up’s live recordings from the Festival, presenter Claire Martin introduces the best of British. Saxophonist Jason Yarde gives us a sneak preview of his duo with pianist Andrew McCormack; rising star Kit Downes presents his trio and David Jean-Baptiste introduces his new clarinet quartet following their premiere last night at Queen Elizabeth Hall.
This concert will be broadcast in Jazz Line-Up on Sun 22 Nov
Date: Saturday 21 November 2009
Time: 3:00pm
Venue:
Clore Ballroom / Southbank Centre
Belvedere Road
London
SE1 8XX
0871 663 2500
Tickets: Free
Artists: Jason Yarde
VOICELAB JAZZ DAY
Inspired by some of the world’s great singers featured in this year’s Festival, this day-long event offers the opportunity for participants to deepen their understanding of the jazz voice. All proficient singers welcome: for more details email voicelab@southbankcentre.co.uk
Voicelab is a Southbank Centre initiative supported by Paul Hamlyn Foundation
Date: Sunday 15 November 2009
Time: 10:30am
Venue:
Front Room / Southbank Centre
Belvedere Road
London
SE1 8XX
0871 663 2500
Tickets: Free