‘Opera in ecclesiastical dress’ from Verdi

A wonderful evening spent with friends in London’s Royal Albert Hall, listening to what the music critic Hans Van Bulow described as “opera in ecclesiastical dress”. It’s a fabulous composition, performed perfectly by the Royal Philharmonic Orchestra.

With maestro Michael Shapiro

This is an intense musical work of genius, with four soloist and a huge chorus alongside the mighty RPO. As critics discuss the value of Verdi’s interpretation of the Requiem Mass, it’s impossible to dispel the impression of greatness and human emotion.

For me, the RPO represents culture after the Second World War (it was founded in 1946 by he great conductor Sir Thomas Beecham) and as we all move further into the 21st century, this production is part of their ‘Icons Rediscovered’ series which is well worth exploring, whether you know some of the works to be performed or not. 

Re-discovering Gypsy jazz

The latest episode of Harmonious World features an interview with Tobie Medland, violinist and promoter of the Gypsy Jazz Festival of London, which runs across the capital from 6 to 12 May.

Charlie Pyne finds her voice on 'Nature Is A Mother'

It's always a pleasure when someone you know (and who hails from your home town) produces some work that is extraordinary in its beauty and lyricist. Particularly when someone you had always thought of as a bass player discovers her voice.

This pleasure comes with Nature Is A Mother, the second full length album from songwriter, bassist and vocalist Charlie Pyne. Until hearing these tracks, I had never known this talented instrumentalist was also a singer and a songwriter of note.

Pyne herself describes this album as: “an exploration of my life so far, as a woman, a mother and someone working in the creative industry. I hope to tell stories that everyone can relate to, from a modern female viewpoint. I really feel like I’ve found my voice with this album, and can’t wait to share the music!”

These nine original compositions feature a sublime quartet that clearly work well together, particularly when producing Pyne's individual and powerful tunes. There is plenty for them all to do, alongside Charlie's own bass, which frequently mirrors her voice on melodic lines. The quartet - Luke Pinkstone (sax), Liam Dunachie (piano) and Katie Patterson (drums) - are all well-respected musicians on the UK jazz scene and they tread a fine line between scintillating modern jazz as well as folk and classical hints. There are some particularly lovely sax solos from Pinkstone, particularly the soprano feature on Blackberries, where his solo weaves effortlessly between Pyne's voice and her bass.

Charlie Pyne works with many of the key names in modern British jazz, sitting alongside Alex Webb, Yazz Ahmed, Noel Langley, Zoe Rahman, Brigitte Beraha, Shirley Smart, Karen Street, Nikki Isles, Sophie Alloway, Tori Freestone, Ilario Ferrari, Alcyona Mick and Martin France. Now touring Europe with her own quartet, her experience has taken her into developing her own style that particularly comes to the fore with confident vocals on the album's title track.

It's always good when a bass player steps to the front of the metaphorical and acoustical stage and Pyne allows her quartet to shine, while dominating on this album which promises to appear on many people's lists of favourite jazz albums of 2024. It's definitely up there on mine.

Record Store Day takes over the UK's record shops on 20 April

More than 270 independent record shops are gearing up for the biggest celebration of the year this weekend, as Record Store Day is set to take place on Saturday 20 April. Make your way to one (or more!) of the 80+ events hosted to celebrate the day by visiting the events listing page now.

Hundreds of artists, including official 2024 ambassador Kate Bush, Noah Kahan, Ringo Starr, Catfish and the Bottlemen, Gabriels, The 1975 and The Flirtations have come together to shower independent shops with a series of exclusive and limited edition vinyl releases that will be available over the counter only from the morning of Saturday 20th

Ambassador Kate Bush, said: “Each year Record Store Day gathers more attention, more momentum, and attracts more people who cram into indie record stores all over the world to see what’s up. What’s new? This year, I hope you have a fantastic time at this very important event, and that you get to celebrate music that’s been specially released for you.”

Letchworth's David's Music is, as usual, hosting Record Store Day. Pop along if you can.

The latest episode of Harmonious World features a conversation with Chris Newstead, founder and festival director of Watford Jazz Festival.

There's loads going on at Watford (just a few miles north of London) from 12-19 May 2024.

Check out the shows if you're not too far away and enjoy!

A few days away - dodging the raindrops

The UK is a wonderful place, but sometimes the rain just seems too much. For six days in April, I travelled around Sheffield and Derbyshire, mainly in the beautiful Peak District. It was wonderful, but definitely damp.

Musical hoarding

One of my favourite sights was the hoard of musical ephemera at Yellow Arch studios in Sheffield.

The 'broken road' at the foot of Mam Tor

Despite the rain, we made it to the top of Mam Tor

One of the drains at Lady Bower Reservoir

The staggeringly impressive Derwent Dam

The cloud lifted (slightly) at the top of Stanage Edge

The view from Monsal Head

Haddon Hall proved to be impressive

The view from the top of the old Hardwick Hall

A live chat with bassist Mark Wade

 The latest episode of Harmonious World features a live conversation with bassist Mark Wade.

I first met Mark immediately prior to the lockdown in 2020 and he was one of my first guests on the podcast (episode #9), just a few weeks later.

He had some interesting insights into the music business and playing bass around the world and it was a delight to chat with him in the recital room at Benslow Music.

The emotional draw of William Susman's 'Music for Moving Pictures'

Composer William Susman is nothing if not prolific and creative and scoring music for film seems to fit his character perfectly. His album Music for Moving Pictures is a stunning evocation of images on the screen that - if you listen to the soundtracks without the films themselves - allows the listener to conjure up their own moving pictures.

He has appeared twice on my Harmonious World podcast to discuss some of his work. We chatted for Episode 16 in October 2020 and again for Episode 31 in February 2021. 

Susman has written orchestral and chamber music for concert performance, as well as jazz and film scores. He says: 'When I compose music for a film, I try to make an organic connection to what I see and hear on screen and how I approach the score. I listen for music that may already be in the film or, perhaps performed by one of the characters.'

In the past, I have listened mostly to his solo piano works and it's fascinating to hear him alongside other musicians. On this album, he's working with Joan Jeanrenaud (cello) and Mira Stroika (accordion and vocals) for a selection of stunning compositions written in the period up to 2009 for three separate and very distinct films.

The three documentaries cover different subjects, connected by a use of historical footage and vintage cameras dating back to the 1920s. All the music they feature plays a significant and vital role, helping to create and ultimately become part of the narrative.

When Medicine Got it Wrong is the groundbreaking story of loving parents who rocked the halls
of psychiatry, changing how we understand schizophrenia.

Balancing Acts: A Jewish Theatre in the Soviet Union is a film by Sam Ball, Kate Stilley and William Susman telling the story of an exhilarating and ultimately tragic experiment in modern Jewish theatre.

Native New Yorker, a silent documentary with original score, was filmed through the eye of a 1924 hand-crank spring-wound Ciné-Kodak camera and featuring Terry ‘Coyote’ Murphy representing the Native American influence on the isle of Manhattan.

Sit back, put this album on and allow the moving pictures in your head to create your own story.

Season 16 starts today!

Welcome to season 16 of Harmonious World.

I hope that 2024 is a happy and healthy year for you all so far. Some of my guests and listeners are in parts of the world where that probably seems impossible, and I really hope that we see some progress in seeing a return to sanity and kindness everywhere.

For those of you who don’t know who I am, my name is Hilary Seabrook and I’m a writer, podcaster and musician (with a little teaching thrown in).

You can find out more about me on my blog - just search for Hilary Seabrook blog and you’ll find it, plus there’s a link in the show notes. There’s also lots of album and gig reviews

Season 15 was a spectacular one and the statistics for listeners are quite extraordinary. I’ve had some amazing guests, including China Moses, Jeff Atmajian, Joey Alexander, Tim Boniface, Didier Recloux and Mark Lockheart.

I have also been using my theme tune, which you can hear now and was composed and performed by Joe English.

There are some amazing interviews already in the bag for April and more planned for the rest of Season 16 and I hope you enjoy listening to them every week . If you want to know in advance who I’m chatting with, you’ll need to subscribe! Another subscriber bonus is a cute key ring: there’s more merchandise on the way.

For now, please remember my reason for starting this podcast.in the words of the great Quincy Jones: “Imagine what a harmonious world it would be if everyone shared a little of what they’re good at.”

Live music from Anais Reno on PX Records

You can read my full review on Kind of Jazz (coming soon). In the meantime, check out Anais Reno online.

Gig Listing number 4

Despite the cold, it's officially spring here in the UK and there is so much great music to listen to. Let me know if you make it along to any of these gigs. I'm beginning to add gigs that are further afield, so keep them coming!

Monday 8 April: Tim Boniface at Ashtead Jazz Club
Tim Boniface (sax) heading a marvellous band that features Colin Oxley (guitar), Phil Merriman (bass), Jeremy Brown (bass) and Tom Early (drums). A concert of standards and original material, this will be a real corker! Tickets here: https://www.ashteadjazzclub.com


Sunday 14, 21, 28 April: University Arms, Cambridge. 7:30-10pm

A regular jazz night continues with Tim Boniface (sax)


Saturday 20 April: Lulu Pierre at The Vortex,11 Gillett Square, Dalston N16 8AZ

Vocalist Lulu Pierre returns to east London’s great jazz haunt – where she first met her collaborator, pianist Alex Webb. She will be performing some lesser-known pieces from the Great American Songbook, jazz classics and some surprising non-jazz repertoire choices. For tickets & info: Upcoming Events | Lulu Pierre Quartet | Vortex Jazz Club

Sunday 21 April: Dulcie May Moreno, The Lab, Cambridge. 4-7pm
Highly respected for her beautiful delivery of classic songs and originals, this will be a delightful afternoon. Dulcie visits us with her longtime collaborators Stephen Bridgeland (gtr) and Jerome Davies (bass), alongside Tim Boniface (sax and piano). Tickets here: https://www.cambridgelive.org.uk/tickets/events/tim-boniface-presents-sunday-jazz-sessions-7

Thursday 25 April: Ineza and 'Women's Words, Sisters' Stories' at The Elgar Room, Royal Albert Hall, Kensington Gore, London, SW7 2AP

The Belgian/Rwandan vocalist makes her debut at this superb jazz room with her ongoing celebration of the repertoire written or co-written by the great jazz divas themselves, with the Alex Webb Trio (Charlie Pyne, bass & Katie Patterson, drums). For tickets & info: Late Night Jazz | Royal Albert Hall

Friday 26 to Sunday 28 April 2024: Brick Lane Jazz Festival
Some amazing artists on stage, including our very own Rob Luft. More info


Wednesday 1 to Monday 6 May 2024: Cheltenham Jazz Festival
Guests just announced include: Lucy-Anne Daniels, Dionne Warwick; Robert Plant; Sophie Ellis-Bextor; Jack Savoretti; UB40; Dee Dee Bridgewater; Morcheeba; Courtney Pine; Clare Teal; Huey Morgan; Snarky Puppy; Brand New Heavies Orchestra; Brad Mehldau Trio; Jordan Rakei; Bettye Lavette; Ladysmith Black Mambazo; Theo Croker; Lakecia Benjamin; Nubiyan Twist; Norma Winstone; Fatoumata Diawara; Zara McFarlane and many more. Find out more


Thursday 2 May: 'The Eight Words', Newcastle Cathedral with Malcolm Guite
Renowned poet-priest Malcolm Guite joins Tim Boniface (sax) in the amazing setting of Newcastle Cathedral. Malcom and I will also be giving a joint lecture on Theology, Poetry and Jazz in the afternoon. Details here if you find yourselves towards the North East: https://newcastlecathedral.org.uk/event/the-eight-words/


Sunday 12 May 2024: Nikki Iles, Pizza Express, Dean Street, London W1
The marvellous Nikki Iles (hopefully a future guest) brings her big band to the regular Sunday big band session in Soho. Find out more


Sunday 12 to 19 May 2024: Watford Jazz Festival

A range of outstanding events. Find out more


Tuesday 14 May: 'Big Ben' at Watermill Jazz, Betchworth Park Golf Club, Reigate Road, Dorking RH4 1NZ

‘Big Ben: Celebrating saxophonist Ben Webster’, which premiered at the EFG London Jazz Festival in November 2023., comes to this delightful jazz venue. A narrated show curated by pianist/arranger Alex Webb and saxophonist Tony Kofi, it includes Webster’s acclaimed years with Duke Ellington, his work with Billie Holiday, his visits to Ronnie Scott’s in London, his later years in Copenhagen and his remarkable work with strings. The band includes Alan Barnes on reeds, Ben Cummings on trumpet, David Lalljee on trombone and a rhythm section of bassist Dave Green (who played and recorded with Ben Webster in the 1960s) and Clark Tracey, whose legendary father also accompanied Webster on his 1960s UK dates. Strings are supplied by the J.A.M. String Collective, formed from Tomorrow’s Warriors musicians. For tickets & info: Watermill Jazz event tickets from TicketSource.

Saturday 18 May: Ineza and 'Women's Words, Sisters' Stories' at Brasserie Toulouse Lautrec, 140 Newington Butts, Kennington, London SE11 4RN

The Belgian/Rwandan vocalist returns to south London’s most important jazz venue with her ongoing celebration of the repertoire written or co-written by the great jazz divas themselves, with the Alex Webb Trio. For tickets & info: Lulu Pierre with The Alex Webb Quintet - Toulouse Lautrec

Thursday 23 May: Lulu Pierre, Tony Kofi and Alex Webb at Cambridge Modern Jazz Club, Hidden Rooms, 7b Jesus Lane CB5 8BA

Vocalist Lulu Pierre makes her debut at Cambridge’s atmospheric jazz outpost, with special guest, tenor sax maestro Tony Kofi and the Alex Webb Trio. For tickets & info: cambridgejazz.org/event/lulu-pierre-quartet-with-special-guest-tony-kofi/

Saturday 1 June: Jazz Cafe POSK, 238-246 King Street London W6 0RF: Ineza and ‘Women’s Words, Sisters’ Stories’

The Belgian/Rwandan vocalist makes her debut at this superb jazz room with her ongoing celebration of the repertoire written or co-written by the great jazz divas themselves, with the Alex Webb Trio (Charlie Pyne, bass & Katie Patterson, drums). For tickets & info: https://www.jazzcafeposk.org/

27 June to 6 July: Montreal Jazz Festival
André 3000, Norah Jones, Hiatus Kaiyote, Laufey, Robert Glasper (L'Événement spécial Rio Tinto), and Orville Peck (Le Grand Événement TD) are among the headliners of the 44th Festival International de Jazz de Montréal (FIJM), presented by TD Bank Group in collaboration with Rio Tinto. From June 27 to July 6, over 350 shows will rock the heart of the city, and two-thirds will be free of charge. With this year’s modern, all-encompassing and diverse program, the FIJM proves once again that jazz knows no boundaries. Find out more

Friday 5 to Sunday 7 July 2024, Love Supreme Festival, Glynde Place
I'll be there! Lots of past and future guests appearing, including Christian McBride. Find out more


Friday 12 to Sunday 14 July 2024, NN North Sea Jazz Festival, Rotterdam Ahoy
Billed as the world’s largest indoor music festival, this has some great names announced, including:Sting, Joshua Redman, Jamie Cullum, Cécile McLorin Salvant, John Scofield & Dave Holland, Chucho Valdés, Lizz Wright, Shai Maestro, Laura Misch, Myra Melford, Reuben James, Walter Smith III, Ibrahim Maalouf, a new quartet featuring Chris Potter, Brad Mehldau, John Patitucci and Johnathan Blake and much more. Find out more

Ongoing

* Check out one of my favourite venues - London's marvellous 606 Club

* In Milton Keynes, there's also the Stables Theatre, which often features live music

* Different venues, plus lots of music on offer at Boisdale in Belgravia and Canary Wharf.

Happy Easter - a special episode with Tim Boniface

Welcome to a special Easter episode of Harmonious World with sax player and Chaplain of Girton College, Cambridge, Tim Boniface.

Although I set out to discuss Tim's latest composition - jazz suite Psalter: Themes for Peace - we also discussed his Christmas suite The Infant and The Eight Words, an Easter suite that you can hear extracts of alongside our conversation.

Thank you to Tim for chatting with me in his tranquil study at Girton, and for allowing me to share tracks from the album alongside our conversation.

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."Support the show

'Feels Like Home' with Paul Edis and Vasilis Xenopoulos

The latest episode of Harmonious World is my second with Paul Edis (the first is here), and this time he's joined by sax player Vasilis Xenopoulos to discuss their forthcoming quartet album Feels Like Home.

This album reminds me of the ethos behind Harmonious World itself, in that it's about all of us working to try to make the world a better place - no matter where we call home.

I hope you enjoy our conversation, including the extra section at the front where Paul and I catch up about the impact of lockdown, which can sometimes seem so unreal now. Thank you to both Paul and Vasilis for spending time with me, and for allowing me to share tracks from the album alongside our conversation.

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."

Thanks for listening to Harmonious World. You can support the show by becoming a subscriber.

Subscriber special out now!

If you're a subscriber to Harmonious World, you'll be able to hear the March special episode. You will also be soon receiving your very own key ring as a thank you.

Of course, if you're not a subscriber (yet), you're missing out on both.

You know what you need to do: subscriber link here.

There's lots more to come from Harmonious World, with a merch site being launched soon! Subscribers will be the first to get their hands on all the lovely stuff I have planned.

Discussing 'Live in Chicago' with drummer and composer Gustavo Cortinas

Discussing jazz composition and performance with drummer Gustavo Cortinas proved so much of why I love recording episodes of Harmonious World. Gustavo is from Mexico City, living in Chicago and influenced by jazz and classical music from around the world.

Live in Chicago is a stunning album that Gustavo describes as a snapshot of his musical journey.

Thank you to Gustavo for spending time with me, and for allowing me to share tracks from the album alongside our conversation.

Empirical - bringing wonder with 'Wonder Is The Beginning'

One of my favourite contemporary jazz groups - Empirical - has a new album out. Wonder is the Beginning brings the award-winning quartet back with the sound of hard-working young men who know their jazz.

Since the four - Nathaniel Facey (alto sax), Tom Farmer (double bass), Lewis Wright (vibraphone) and Shaney Forbes (drums) came together more than 15 years ago, they have brought an intensity and quality of jazz composition and improvisation that makes those awards richly-deserved. There is a maturity to their work together that shows how well they all work together.

For Wonder is the Beginning, Empirical have imported two more of the stalwarts of the UK jazz scene in the shape and sound of Alex Hitchcock (tenor sax) and Jason Rebello (piano).

If jazz is defined by the familiar and also the new, that definition is writ large across Wonder Is The Beginning.

The seven tracks bring these six musicians together in a way that is still Empirical - but more so. The compositions themselves are artful and considered, while the improvisations bring the individuality of the artists to the fore.

Outstanding track She Moves takes a waltz theme that has a sparsity that allows Rebello particularly to open up a contrapuntal rhythmic drive before the vibes of Wright take over the improvisation. For a real taste of what these six musicians do best, watch the video performance of The Naitoku and see how these guys perform together.

Wonder is the Beginning is a wonderful, playful but intense declaration of a jazz life that all these musicians share.

Podcast episode no 200 featuring podcaster Dan Jennings

The 200th episode of Harmonious World is somewhat self-indulgent, as it features a conversation with Dan Jennings, broadcaster and host of the podcast Desperately Seeking Paul, who interviewed me back in lockdown. You'll hear in our conversation why it's self-indulgent and why it appears on the 40th anniversary of the release of The Style Council album Cafe Bleu.

You can read the Guardian article we refer to in our chat.

Thank you to Dan for spending time with me, and I hope you enjoy listening in to our conversation. The music at the start and end is the Harmonious World theme tune, from pianist, composer and bandleader Joe English.

40 years of ‘Cafe Bleu’

I was 20 when I was asked to audition for The Style Council and met Paul Weller and Mick Talbot. A European tour later, I then appeared on the band's debut album Cafe Bleu. It turns out that was 40 years ago today.

My vinyl album takes pride of place in my studio, alongside the single, a sketch of John Coltrane and the liner notes of Coltrane's A Love Supreme. These are some of the most inspiring images of my musical life.

Swag incoming!

For those of you new to Harmonious World, it's developing a life of its own and so now seems the right time to launch some merchandise.

For now, I'm starting with these gorgeous key rings and there'll be more to come. All available direct from me or - soon - via the new website.

What would you like to see? T-shirts? Beany hats? Comment below and let me know ...

Inspiring Inclusion with China Moses for International Women's Day 2024

Welcome to my special International Women's Day 2024 episode of the Harmonious World podcast, featuring a coffee-shop conversation with singer songwriter and radio presenter China Moses.

China kindly allowed me to feature a couple of the tracks from her China Moses & The Vibe Tribe EP from 2021, which I hope give you a taste of her amazing vocal talents. Listen to her show on JazzFM to hear more of her own great taste in music.

Thank you to China for spending time with me, and I hope you enjoy listening in to our conversation.

David Bixler and I discuss 'The Langston Hughes Project Volume 1'

For the latest episode of Harmonious World, I am joined by sax player, composer and educator David Bixler to discuss his latest album, The Langston Hughes Project Volume 1.

As part of the conversation, David introduces the Langston Hughes poem Mother to Son, which is simply stunning and probably an inspiration for us all.

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."Support the show

'Moonray' - coming soon from James Hudson

British vocalist James Hudson is set to release his second album - Moonray - with the ambitious Artie Shaw title track providing a stunning, creative arrangement.

Following up on James's debut album and the latest single Feed The Birds, his voice cuts through the noise with a clarity and substance alongside beautiful arrangements.

James isn't afraid to give his musicians space to breathe their own life into these classic songs, with evocative and expressive solos and sectional passages.

Arranger and sax player (with some gorgeous bass clarinet thrown in) Tom Smith has worked brilliantly with James's voice to arrange these tracks so Moonray is an album full of light and shade.

A jazz rhythm section - Joe Hill (piano), Jack Tustin (bass), Luke Tomlinson (drums) and Nick Fitch (guitar) - is enhanced by Smith's sax, Tom Walsh (trumpet/flugelhorn) and Ralph Wyld (vibraphone). A string quintet adds delicious texture to this collection of sometimes unusual jazz standards  Cole Porter sits alongside Mile Davis and Jon Hendricks, plus Hoagy Carmichael's The Nearness of You and Rodgers & Hart's Sing For Your Supper.

Moonray will quickly make it onto the playlists of many once it is released - sign up with James now to get your copy.

Gig Listing no 3

Spring is in the air here in the UK and there is so much great music to listen to. Let me know if you make it along to any of these gigs.

Friday 26 to Sunday 28 April 2024: Brick Lane Jazz Festival

Some amazing artists on stage, including our very own Rob Luft. More info

Wednesday 1 to Monday 6 May 2024: Cheltenham Jazz Festival

Guests just announced include: Lucy-Anne Daniels, Dionne Warwick; Robert Plant; Sophie Ellis-Bextor; Jack Savoretti; UB40; Dee Dee Bridgewater; Morcheeba; Courtney Pine; Clare Teal; Huey Morgan; Snarky Puppy; Brand New Heavies Orchestra; Brad Mehldau Trio; Jordan Rakei; Bettye Lavette; Ladysmith Black Mambazo; Theo Croker; Lakecia Benjamin; Nubiyan Twist; Norma Winstone; Fatoumata Diawara; Zara McFarlane and many more. Find out more


Sunday 12 May 2024: Nikki Iles, Pizza Express, Dean Street, London W1

The marvellous Nikki Iles (hopefully a future guest) brings her big band to the regular Sunday big band session in Soho. Find out more


Friday 5 to Sunday 7 July 2024, Love Supreme Festival, Glynde Place

I'll be there! Lots of past and future guests appearing, including Christian McBride. Find out more


Friday 12 to Sunday 14 July 2024, NN North Sea Jazz Festival, Rotterdam Ahoy

Billed as the world’s largest indoor music festival, this has some great names announced, including:Sting, Joshua Redman, Jamie Cullum, Cécile McLorin Salvant, John Scofield & Dave Holland, Chucho Valdés, Lizz Wright, Shai Maestro, Laura Misch, Myra Melford, Reuben James, Walter Smith III, Ibrahim Maalouf, a new quartet featuring Chris Potter, Brad Mehldau, John Patitucci and Johnathan Blake and much more. Find out more

Ongoing

Check out one of my favourite venues - London's marvellous 606 Club

In Milton Keynes, there's also the Stables Theatre, which often features live music

Discussing 'Monsieur Linh and his Child' with composer Didier Recloux

My conversation with composer Didier Recloux was in a noisy coffee bar, but I hope you can hear our chat clearly on the Harmonious World episode - it was fascinating.

Meeting Didier Recloux

Didier's latest album is Monsieur Linh and his Child and the first single - First Walk - is out today (28 February 2024).

We also discuss Didier's links with Zeinab Badawi and her BBC World series The History of Africa Part 1 and 2, for which he composed the soundtracks.Thanks to Didier for joining me in conversation and for sharing tracks from Monsieur Linh and his Child alongside our chat. I'm now very much looking forward to reading the book.

The Billy Pod quartet at Hitchin's JazzUp!

The brilliant JazzUp! finished its season with Billy Pod and his quartet playing tracks from his album 'Quintessence'. Billy was preceded by the resident support act, the Joe English trio, with special guest Toby Evans (tenor sax).

Joe English, Herbie Rees, Toby Evans and Henry Rugg

As usual, Joe and friends entertained the JazzUp! crowd. We're all looking forward to hearing them again once the club restarts in September. I'm also grateful to Joe for creating the theme tune for Harmonious World, which you can hear in the Season 15 Trailer.

The atmospheric Billy Pod quartet filled the space at Hitchin's Club 85 with extraordinary jazz, where the four musicians demonstrated why they are each regarded as at the forefront of the UK music scene. Will Barry (piano), Misha Mullov-Abbado (bass) and Tom Ollendorff (guitar) joined Billy Pod (drums) in what was a real collaboration.

Will Barry, Misha Mullov-Abbado, Billy Pod and Tom Ollendorff

There's a lightness of touch to this quartet, combined with a profound intensity and the sense of focus was palpable. At moments, you could see the facial expressions across the stage that kept the structure of each tune, while allowing for a freedom that this jazz inspires.

This really was an extraordinary gig and when Billy announced the title of a tune as 'Unprecedented', there was a ripply of laughter as the audience responded to what had genuinely been new and exciting. That track began with Will Barry on piano as the club fell silent to enjoy this music.

Billy Pod and Tom Ollendorff

Mainly playing tracks from 'Quintessence', the beautiful 'The Higher We Soar' was one of the highlights of the quartet's set. For me, though, the most inspirational moment was Tom Ollendorff's guitar feature on the rarely-heard standard 'Answer Me'.

This was the perfect end to the current season of JazzUp! and September can't come around quickly enough.

If you'd like to hear Billy talking about 'Quintessence', listen to episode 135 of Harmonious World.

Meanwhile, Tom Ollendorff features on episode 162.

Burton Court - a hidden gem

A few hours in the lap of luxury in the heart of England's west country.

Stunning views across Herefordshire

Although the UK was caught in a deluge of rain, a short stay that included one night at the wonderful Burton Court was immensely relaxing.

The rooms are extraordinary and you can't beat a guided tour that includes a Medieval banqueting hall.

Oh, and the breakfast was delicious!

I wish I was an influencer and could stay in places like this every weekend. I'd be back to Burton Court in a heartbeat.

Retreating to Gladstone's Library

The 'final' draft of my novel is coming on apace, partly due to a few days spent in the calm silence of Gladstone's Library.

My desk for a few days

Although built after the death of former British Prime Minister William Gladstone, his library was created around a large number of his own books and now provides a unique, creative space for academics and writers.

I was fortunate in being able to spend the best part of four days working on my first novel, which was finished a few months ago, but lacking ... something.

It's now coming on well and I'm hoping it will be finished in the coming weeks. There will be a Kickstarter to allow advance purchase of hardback, paperback, audio and ebooks.

Watch this space.

Meanwhile, if you have your own book to write, I cannot recommend anywhere better to put pen to paper or hit the keyboard than Gladstone's Library.

Do you enjoy Harmonious World and my blog reviews?

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Just click here to see some of the amazing guests I’ve interviewed. 

A fine pianist on a stunning album

It was a great pleasure to have a conversation for Harmonious World with classical pianist Burkard Schliessmann: his album Live & Encores is out now.

If you love classical solo piano, this is the album for you. If you haven't explored the music of Bach, Chopin, Mendelssohn and Schumann, then this is a fabulous starting point.

Not only is this great music, performed brilliantly, the recording quality is outstanding using Dolby Atmos high-definition audio.

Thanks to Burkard for joining me in conversation and for sharing tracks from Live & Encores alongside our chat.

Today - 40 years ago - 'Headstart for Happiness' on Saturday Superstore

Someone recently asked me if I'm proud of my sax playing. Actually, I am. Although it seems strange to see images of me playing tenor 40 years ago. I thought of myself as a baritone player and have gone back to that first love. This is me behind Paul Weller on Saturday Superstore on 18 February 1984.

Looking back is good, as long as it's just a moment before looking forward.

Two years ago, I thought I would never play again because of my cancer treatment. Now I'm working on a new project with fellow ex-Style Councillor (from a different era of the band), Stewart Prosser.

Although playing for any length of time is exhausting now, I would rather try and be shattered afterwards. Since my two bouts of stomach cancer, I do get tired easily but I'm still able to play like the 21-year-old me of The Style Council days.

Today - 40 years ago - 'My Ever Changing Moods' on Top of The Pops

It seems like yesterday - Top of the Pops in February 1984 with The Style Council.

In case you can't spot me - I'm on the right with the tenor sax.

Mark Lockheart will leave you 'Smiling'

 There really is a joy to Mark Lockheart's latest album - Smiling.

You can hear our discussion on the latest episode of Harmonious World - recorded live at London's Barbican Centre.

Pianist Jim Clayton finds his voice on 'Look Out!'

Pianist Jim Clayton has unleashed his vocals on the latest album Look Out! and in this conversation he explains why.

This conversation was a joy and - once again - I was reminded why I decided to start this podcast nearly four years ago - there's a sense of people like Jim in this episode simply sharing why they do what they do. And it helps us all understand music a little better.

Thanks to Jim for joining me in conversation and for sharing tracks from Look Out! alongside our chat.

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."

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UK drummer Clark Tracey brings us 'Introducing Emily Masser'

Drummer Clark Tracey has an impressive track record and his new release - Introducing Emily Masser - gathers his quintet to accompany rising star Emily Masser.

I first met Clark alongside his father the late, great pianist and composer Stan Tracey. Both were stalwarts of the London jazz scene that I loved in the 1980s.

Emily Masser is a relatively inexperienced vocalist in comparison, but she has already garnered attention from around the current UK jazz world. Accompanying Emily alongside Clark (drums) are James Owston (bass), Alex Clarke (sax and flute) and Graham Harvey (piano).

A favourite track on this exciting album is the quintet's version of Jimmy Deuchar’s Suddenly Last Tuesday. This was performed often by sax supremos Tubby Hayes and Ronnie Scott. Emily and saxist Alex Clarke make a great job of this new version.

The world of jazz vocalists is blossoming at the moment, and the arrival of Emily Masser only adds to that. This is a lovely album and it's always good to see more experienced jazz musicians like Clark Tracey helping pave the way for newer artists.

Hear Roberta Flack in her prime - years later

One of my favourite albums of 2023, which I reviewed for KindOfJazz - 'Lost Takes of Roberta Flack'.

I wasn't really a fan of Roberta Flack, but this album reintroduced us and I'm glad I took the chance to give the album a listen. You should do the same.