Hilary Seabrook - writer, podcaster, musician

Out this weekend is the debut album from double bass player, vocalist and composer Myra Brownbridge . ' The Voyage Out ' is a delightful offering from this exceptional talent. Starting with the opening track (as is my wont), there is something essentially fresh and engaging about Brownbridge's compositional style and playing. The Voyage Out (album and track) take naming from Virginia Woolf's first novel and the composer takes inspiration from this quintessentially British writer, while embracing a jazz style that is creative and delightful. Brownbridge has selected some fine musicians for her debut album: Tom Ollendorff (guitar), Matthew Holmes (drums), George Garford (alto sax) and a guest appearance from Tony Kofi (alto sax). They perform the compositions with panache and bring their experience to one of the finest debut albums I have heard. The shortest track on the album - Entangled  - is beautifully simple, with little rhythmic variation between the quartet. M

Welcome to the latest episode of Harmonious World , in which I interview musicians about how their music helps make the world more harmonious. For this episode, I interviewed singer, songwriter and pianist  Philippa Healey . A successful and impressive  performer  on London's West End stage and in classical crossover, Philippa has new recordings out now that show her  funky side . There's a humorous side to her lyrics and it was great fun to chat with her. Alongside our conversation, you can hear extracts from Philippa's tracks. Thank you for listening to Harmonious World. Please rate, review and share: click on the link and subscribe to support the show. Don't forget the Quincy Jones quote that sums up why I do this: "Imagine what a harmonious world it would be if every single person, both young and old, shared a little of what he is good at doing."

I had the pleasure of interviewing pianist Joel Lyssarides for a  future episode of Harmonious World (watch this space) and hearing the story of his new album with bouzouki player Georgios Prokopiou - ‘Arcs and Rivers’. In the process of our conversation, it became clear that Joel is good friends with sax player Bjorn Arko , who I interviewed back in the summer.  It should not have been a surprise - all of these musicians are creative, innovative and open to inspiration from all around. Indeed, Arcs and Rivers is a really, really interesting album that brings delight in every track. It’s no surprise that it’s released on ACT Music , given the label’s record for discovering and promoting artists who bring something new and exciting to the jazz world, Combining Lyssarides' Swedish style with his Greek Cypriot heritage alongside Prokopiou's inherent Greek culture shouldn't work in jazz. Yet it does. Prokopiou talks about the history of the bouzouki and how it is - perhaps s

‘Who We Are’, the stunning new studio album from UK pianist, composer and vocalist Ashley Henry, is out now on Naïve Records, with a new single featuring gorgeous vocals from the stunning Jackson ‘Life Is Like a Movie’. This is a classy release from one of Britain’s most talented musicians of an exciting new generation. It’s been a few months since the release of the title track as a single and it was widely well-received. Sitting somewhere alongside that crossover with mainstream pop inhabited by the likes of Ezra Collective and Gregory Porter, Henry is producing deeply moving music: ‘Synchronicity’ still gives me chills, after three plays. Another striking track is the retelling of ‘Mississippi Goddam’, with Henry’s piano playing a fitting homage to the song’s writer, Nina Simone. It’s no surprise that the inspirational Simone should be honoured by Henry, who brings jazz and cultural influences from around the world right back to London. You can tell straight away that this is a clas

Welcome to the latest episode of Harmonious World, in which I interview musicians about how their music helps make the world more harmonious. For this episode, I interviewed Grammy-winning guitarist  Sharon Isbin  for the second time. The  first  was way back in August 2020, and she's been busy since then, creating wonderful music and working tirelessly with the  Aspen Music Festival , which this year celebrated its 75th anniversary. Sharon shared with me her album  Live in Aspen , featuring her guitar alongside legendary sarod masters Amjad Ali Khan, Amman and Ayaan Ali Bangash, together with tabla virtuoso Amit Kavthekar. Alongside our conversation, you can hear extracts from the tracks from this fabulous album. Get in touch to let me know what you think! Thank you for listening to Harmonious World. Please rate, review and share: click on the link and  subscribe  to support the show. Don't forget the Quincy Jones quote that sums up why I do this: "Imagine what a harmon

Welcome to the latest episode of Harmonious World, in which I interview musicians about how their music helps make the world more harmonious. For this episode, I visited club owner Steve Rubie at the fabulous 606 Club in London's Chelsea. Steve is also a sax player, and I have known him for MANY years, since he kindly allowed me to practise in the basement club when it was originally on the Kings Road. Get in touch to let me know what you think! Thank you for listening to Harmonious World. Please rate, review and share: click on the link and  subscribe  to support the show. Don't forget the Quincy Jones quote that sums up why I do this: "Imagine what a harmonious world it would be if every single person, both young and old, shared a little of what he is good at doing."