Christian McBride and I chat on his recent trip to London

You can catch my chat with the great bassist Christian McBride in the latest episode of Harmonious World.

Such a good man and an insightful chat.

Christian has worked with so many great musicians and we discuss his work with just a few of them (and the eight Grammys he has been awarded), including Sting, Dee Dee Bridgewater. We also talk about some of the tracks on Prime, his album that was released earlier in 2023.

You can catch Christian with some of his musical friends at the Village Vanguard, as we discuss. Alternatively, check out some of his videos and you can see what I meant about the concentration that goes alongside the fun.

I hope you also enjoy the first playing of the new Harmonious World theme tune, composed and performed by Joe English.

Christian McBride’s New Jawn is back with their highly anticipated sophomore album, Prime, the follow-up from McBride’s GRAMMY® nominated group. Featuring original compositions from each band member as well as fresh takes on songs from Sonny Rollins, Ornette Coleman and Larry Young, this group offers an exhilarating space of exploration for the 8-time GRAMMY® Award-winning McBride to stretch his veteran wings.

The band consists of McBride on bass alongside Josh Evans (trumpet), Marcus Strickland (sax and bass clarinet) and Nasheet Waits (drums). Incidentally, Christian discusses his sometimes fellow band member Ulyssees Owens Jr, who I interviewed back in the summer of 2021.

Travelling for inspiration: Norfolk

In the hunt for literary and musical inspiration, I took a trip to Norfolk, on the East coast of the UK.

It worked.

We stayed in some beautiful hotels and visited some fascinating places. The next stage is writing and playing to transform some of that inspiration into reality. 

With Richard at Ickworth Hall

The gorgeous Ickworth Hotel

Autumn in East Anglia

Oxburgh Hall

A fake door in Oxburgh Hall

Norwich’s Cow Tower

Inside Norwich Cathedral

Pianist Julio Resende and Fado Jazz explores revolution and free expression

Music maintains its ability to connect people and performers across genres and the latest album from pianist and composer Júlio Resende - Sons of Revolution - really brings to life the concept of Fado Jazz.

Fado music is fundamental to the Portugese culture and this melding with jazz brings a beautiful, lyrical quality in this very free musical expression.

Sons of Revolution is dedicated to the Carnation Revolution of 1974, which brought freedom to Portuguese People and shaped their culture and society as it is today. A little-known part of European history, this event brought about democracy with the peaceful overthrow of dictator Salazar and marked the end of colonial wars in Mozambique and Angola.

"Without the revolution, I wouldn't even exist," says Júlio Resende. "My father is from Angola, he emigrated to Portugal after the revolution, and met my mother. The freedom to express myself is one of the dearest things to me, and jazz is the music that enables that the most – without any borders or restrictions."

Resende brings together Alexandre Frazão (bass), André Rosinha (drums), and Bruno Chaveiro (guitarra portuguesa) as well as a guest appearance from 2017 Eurovision winner Salvador Sobral on the ballad A Casa Dela / Her House.

Albums with a concept behind them can lose sight of the musicality, but this is absolutely not the case with Resende’s blend of Fado and jazz in Sons of Revolution. These 11 tracks are gorgeous, folk-like tunes that take the free musical expression for which both Resende and ACT records have become synonymous.

Blistering bebop and stunning songs

Take a bit of modern bebop and add some Bruce Springsteen and the Eagles, and you've got the makings of an era-defining gig at the Barbican on day three of the EFG London Jazz Festival. Saxophonist Joshua Redman bought his latest jazz outfit to London and stunned an appreciative crowd. Two standing ovations proved the quality of this gig last night.

Joshua Redman at the Barbican (c) Mark Allan

Vocalist Gabrielle Cavassa joined Redman for what must count as one of the highlights of this year's festival. A new line-up that evoked the joy of Redman's latest album Where are we, with Paul Cornish (piano), Philip Norris (bass) and Nazir Ebo (drums).

Some of my favourite tracks from the album were there: Chicago Blues, Streets of Philadelphia and Stars Fell on Alabama, the latter of which was followed by a beautiful rendition of John Coltrane's Alabama. Several of the tracks began with individual solos, including the truly beautiful By The Time I Get To Phoenix, which Redman himself introduced. His sax ranges across the whole spectrum from the lowest notes of the tenor right up to some unfeasibly high harmonics and one of the things he does so, so well is the sotto voce quiet that is hard to do at all.

For each of the cities that Redman visits with this band, they're performing a specially-chosen and for us in London, it was A Foggy Day in London Town, which was particularly apt, given the November weather that is often the case for the EFG LJF. Anyone who left at the end of that final dedication to London missed the encore of the Eagles' Hotel California. Each one of these covers was done with love and a touch of humour.

There are few jazz gigs that include Springsteen and the Eagles, but Redman managed all the tracks with aplomb and originality.

I reviewed his album for KindofJazz, and it's definitely worth a listen for the kind of jazz that thrills with its modernity and hints of the giants on whose shoulders Redman stands with pride and genius.

Sunday in Studio 1 at Abbey Road

With thanks to the generosity of some incredible musicians, I spent an inspiring few hours in the control room and viewing balcony of studio 1 at London’s iconic Abbey Road. 

Overlooking the orchestra in action

There’s a repeat Grammy winning album in the making with the hours spent with the Royal Philharmonic Orchestra conducted by Maestro Michael Shapiro. Composer Danae Xanthe Vlasse was in the control room with her team while the incredible vocals of Hila Plitmann and Sangeeta Kaur wafted ethereally from the separate booths.

I've already interviewed Danae and Michael (twice!), so I've added Hila and Sangeeta to the list for future episodes of Harmonious World. Watch this space: don't forget that if you subscribe to the podcast, you'll get a sneak preview of who I'm interviewing and when!

Happy times with Hila, Danae, Michael and Sangeeta

Celebrating the Melbourne International Jazz Festival in London

Alongside the Zela Margossian Trio, I caught Brekky Boy at the Barbican on day two of the EFG London Jazz Festival.

Zela Margossian (c) Sahil Kotwani @sahilkotwani_

Zela Margossian is an extraordinary pianist and her trio showed world class jazz that was both lyrical and frenetic. Clearly, these three musicians are used to performing together and exchanging non verbal signals across the stage to extend solos.

Brekky Boy (including Sahil Kotwani on camera)

Another trio - but completely different in approach - was the inventive, electric and exciting Brekky Boy. There’s a humour in their jazz and an energy that’s takes dynamics and punctuation to effortlessly engage their audience  

Both bands were brought from Australia as part of a collaboration between the LJF and the Melbourne International Jazz Festival. The Barbican foyer is a lovely venue and allows the music of these very different jazz outfits to resonate all around the walls of three floors of space.

Hadley Agrez, CEO and Program Director of MIJF spoke movingly about the collaboration with London and the multicultural music scene that is thriving in Melbourne today.

As the LJF continues for the next ten days, there is lots to experience and so many different venues offering music to delight and transport.

Watch this space for more reviews to come

Take away more than just great pizza from Pizza Express Live

Pizza Express became part of my musical heritage when I discovered Kettner's* in London's Soho and then in other venues that began offering music alongside the food. It's now renowned for its high class jazz performers and earlier this year it launched PX Records to share some of these outstanding performances still further.

Pizza Express Live launched PX Records on 14 April 2023 and its opening artist roster is extraordinary.

Scott Hamilton Quartet: recorded, mixed and mastered by UK sax player Dave O'Higgins, this is a brilliant collection of tracks performed live by sax legend Scott Hamilton. He's joined by John Pearce (piano), Dave Green (bass) and Steve Brown (drums). This is almost like listening to shows recorded in New York's finest jazz spots and marks the 40th anniversary of Hamilton's first appearance at PizzaExpress Jazz Club.

Native Dancer: This amazing London-based band includes some of the hottest musicians from the UK scene: Frida Touray (vocals), Josh Arcoleo (sax), Sam Crowe (piano/keyboards), Jonathan Harvey (bass) and Dan See (drums). With hip hop and R&B influences, this is definitely music from the heart of London and it's well worth a listen.

Mamas Gun: Needing no introduction, this is a great chance to listen to a fabulous band recorded live on stage. With an introduction from radio producer and DJ Deb Grant, this includes some of the band's finest tracks, including the brilliant 'Friends to Lovers'.

There is bound to be more from PX Records: I'm currently listening to Matt Johnson's recording, which I'll be reviewing in depth for KindOfJazz.com.

You can catch excellent live jazz (and maybe pick up some CDs or vinyl to maintain the jazz magic in your ears) at Dean Street, Covent Garden, Holborn or the Kings Road.

* Kettner's enticed me into Soho frequently during the 1980s where it was slightly glamorous but still offering great food. Now owned by the much grander Soho House chain, Kettner's was a place to hang out with other musicians and often alongside a friend playing the grand piano. Once a favourite haunt of Oscar Wilde, it has always had a certain cachet - I haven't been back since it was reopened by its new owners.

'All we're made of is borrowed' - grief and reflection from Paramorph Collective

With a focus on grief, and how we survive it, Paramorph Collective have released All we're made of is borrowed. My discussion with the musicians responsible - An Laurence and Kim Farris-Manning - focuses on this dynamic work that brings together fascinating creative and some complex concepts.

The latest episode of Harmonious World features chat and music: Paramorph Collective combines a tonal range and extraordinary combinations of instruments and voices in what promises much for their musical future.

Thanks to An and Kim for allowing me to play extracts from All we're made of is borrowed  alongside our conversation.