Big Wade - 'Piano Man' out now

Big Wade and Black Swan Theory collectively blends funk, soul, jazz and everything that fills the cracks between those genres: his new album - Piano Man - on all major streaming platforms ahead of the Piano Man Tour 2024, which has dates across the US.

Piano Man brings a selection of original and covers, including a stunning version of Autumn Leaves, which reinvents the song as the funky, electronic Autumn. Big Wade's voice takes the song's melody and improvises around and around, with backing vocals and a deliberately sparse arrangement underpinning the song. Similarly, on Children of the Ghetto, the lead and backing vocals blend in with the soulful musicians of Black Swan Theory.

Electronics are used with dexterity, often expanding the vocal lines, as in the ethereal and ghostly opening of Don't Let Me Go. However, the tools never dominate - simply adding depth and layers to the funk. Never more than when Big Wade enters a new world in Interludes, including vocals from Shakura and from Luigi Waites.

The collection of tracks on Piano Man revolve around love and relationships and then the listener is delivered a live delight in the form of Paid My Dues, which includes rapping direct from Big Wade's heart and the great lines: "Living just enough for the city / Only thing I know is to be me." As the track fades out, you know the live renditions of these songs will be worth hearing in their entirety.

You're going to want to catch Big Wade and Black Swan Theory if this show comes to a city near you.

'Continuance' with pianist and composer Joey Alexander

Pianist, composer and bandleader Joey Alexander has recently released his seventh album - Continuance - and he joined me to discuss it on Harmonious World.

We chatted just hours after he complete a five show run at New York's 'Birdland' jazz club to officially launch the album. Joey is an interesting young man and a truly phenomenal pianist and composer.

Thanks to Joey for joining me in conversation and for sharing tracks from Continuance for me to play alongside our conversation.

'From the Caribbean 2 Coventry' at Barbican Music Theatre until 25 May 2024

For the fans, by the fans: 'From the Caribbean 2 Coventry' is a fascinating collection of the positive influences on British youth culture. This is an extraordinary selection of facts, photos and music that should give you even more reason to visit the brutalist marvel that is the Barbican centre.

At 'From the Caribbean to Coventry' with Gary Crowley and Tony Minvielle

I was fortunate to attend the official opening of the exhibition and meet up with some friends with a mutual love of the music and the ethos behind 2 Tone Records, which makes up at least part of this fascinating story.

Jazz Fm presenter and writer Tony Minvielle has an incredible story to tell about music in the UK and beyond and there was a panel displaying his family history that shed some light on his influences. His voice and his words have popped up frequently in my own musical education and it was great to spend time chatting about music and musicians.

It was also a delight to catch up with old friend Gary Crowley, who I first knew back in the 1980s when he was a young and hip DJ and I was playing in some great bands and with some brilliant musicians. Also a pleasure to catch up.

You may not bump into the great and good when you visit the Barbican Music Library, but you won't find a better free exhibition in London this spring. If you like music, you'll love this exploration of Jerry Dammers' contribution to music with 2 Tone Records, and everything along the periphery of that label.

Shaw and Kofi slay the audience at Pizza Express

Multi award-winning jazz vocalist Ian Shaw is reaching the end of his residency at Pizza Express in the heart of London's Soho. Joined by many of his friends (the listing reads like a Who's Who of British jazz), the gig I caught featured saxist Tony Kofi.

This quartet is extraordinary and their performance celebrated the upcoming album dedicated to Billy Strayhorn and Duke Ellington. There will be a review in due course.

Shaw and Kofi were joined by Barry Green (piano) and Dave Green (drums) and the quartet engaged a sell-out Pizza Express. Upcoming gigs included Shaw joined by Claire Martin, Elaine Delmar, Guy Barker and Natalie Williams. When you have a chance to hear him sing, please do so - you won't be disappointed.

Yakul Live at Pizza Express London

The rather marvellous Yakul have released their 12-track album of live recordings from Pizza Express Live in London.

Take a listen if you can and watch out for my review on KindofJazz.com

Live chat with the genius that is Jeff Atmajian

I met arranger, orchestrator and composer Jeff Atmajian at Abbey Road studios in November, while visiting past Harmonious World guests Michael Shapiro and Danae Xanthe Vlasse. Jeff kindly agreed to be interviewed by me in person, so we met in Islington a few weeks later, while he was finishing conducting a recording for the UK TV show 'Call the Midwife'.

Jeff is intensely interesting and finding questions to ask him was a breeze. He has worked on many film scores and those for some of the best-known film and TV composers in California and London. The tracks you hear at the start and finish of the show are from 'Creation: Once Upon All Time' by Carol Schuller Milner, but there are numerous tracks I could have selected as examples of his creative work.

Thanks to Jeff for sparing time to join me in conversation for Harmonious World and sharing the tracks alongside our chat.

We also discuss his extensive and fascinating IMDb listing. I hope you enjoy listening to our chat and the background noise isn't too much of a distraction: this conversation really was a joy.

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A moving experience - Tim Boniface's 'Psalter: Themes for Peace'

Saxophonist and composer Tim Boniface brought his brand new original work 'Psalter: Themes for Peace' to St Albans Cathedral in an intensely moving experience.

The music was composed for performance in the cathedral under the stunning ‘Peace Doves’ artwork that celebrates and welcomes peace. Tim selected specific readings from the Psalms, read on the evening by Canon Dr Hilary Marlow at the beginning of each of the six movements.

In a fascinating balance between composition and improvisation, the music explores biblical themes and our response to diverse perceptions and expressions of peace from throughout the Psalms.

Joining Tim at St Albans for this premiere were three of the UK’s foremost jazz musicians. James Pearson (piano) is often seen at Ronnie Scott’s, where he is artistic director as well as a virtuoso on the keys. Malcolm Creese (bass) was best known for his work with Cleo Laine and John Dankworth and is founding member of Jazz combo Acoustic Triangle. John Ormston (drums) is often seen and heard alongside Guy Barker, Stan Sulzman and the London Jazz Orchestra. 

In a packed Cathedral and beneath the thousands of Peace Doves that danced above them, this hugely talented quartet performed Psalter to an appreciative audience. There will be a chance to hear this music performed again, but I, for one, was glad to be at the premiere.

Rediscovering Val Wilmer at London's Victoria and Albert Museum

I've always loved the work of Val Wilmer and it was wonderful to discover one of her photographs on display in the V&A.

 

Wilmer was one of the founders of Format Photographers and they were highly influential in presenting the imagery of life through the 1980s and beyond. Her work is just stunning and it's great to see that being recognised.

 

Pianist-composer David Lopato and his album 'Short Stories'

In which I discover how to pronoun Lopato ("You say tomato, I say tomato") and also that this album 'Short Stories' is only volume one. I'm looking forward to hearing volume two.

My interview with David Lopato was an interesting one, discussing his influences and how those have all come together in this lovely album. It has been out for a few months, but I'm glad I got the chance to chat with David just before Christmas. I hope you enjoy the latest episode of Harmonious World.

Singer Lucy-Anne Daniels explains her beginnings in jazz

Singer Lucy-Anne Daniels is very much one to watch and I can highly recommend you search for a gig where you can hear her sing and watch her own the stage.

This was a delightful conversation and I'm glad to be able to share it with you at the very start of both 2024 and season 15 of Harmonious World.

Although it's a great honour for me to be able to interview some titans of music, I'm going to continue to seek out new artists like Lucy-Anne (and composer of my Harmonious World theme tune, Joe English) to promote.

Watch out also for my blogs promoting upcoming gigs.

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Gig listing number 1

One of my intentions in 2024 is to include gig listings for my podcast guests, including links for booking tickets. Keep returning, as I add more dates each month.

Saturday 24 February 2024: Billy Pod, JazzUp! Hitchin

Catch former Harmonious World guest Billy Pod at one of my favourite venues, Club85 in Hitchin. JazzUp! has only a few shows in 2024, so don't miss this one.

Saturday 3 February 2024: QOW Trio, The Verdict, Brighton

Come and join the great new QOW Trio as they kick off their tour in support of their new album 'The Hold Up' on Ubuntu Music.

Sunday 21 to Monday 29 January 2024: Pizza Express, Dean Street, London W1

Ian Shaw hosts a series of events at one of my favourite venues. The residency features some of the legends of UK jazz and there's a lot to enjoy. Take your pick from a huge selection!

Saturday 20 January 2024: The Verdict, Brighton

Guitarist Steve Banks in one of the best clubs outside of London.

Thursday 18 January 2024: Be-Bop Club, Bristol

Guitarist Steve Banks brings his classy sound to English west country.

Thursday 11 January 2024: Pizza Express, Dean Street, London W1

Rising vocalist Lulu Pierre (‘Something new and exciting’ – Jazz in Europe) makes her debut at this important London venue with special guest, saxophonist Tony Kofi and her piano accompanist Alex Webb and his trio (Hamish Moore, bass and Dan Hester, drums).  Lulu will be presenting some new material as well as jazz classics and new arrangements of non-jazz repertoire. For tickets & info:  Lulu Pierre Quartet with special guest Tony Kofi

Season 15 trailer

Welcome to season 15 of Harmonious World.

The first thing I would like to say is ‘Happy New Year’. I really hope that 2024 is a happy and healthy year for us all. 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. Even here in the UK, where we will almost certainly see a General Election in May.

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).

Season 14 was a spectacular one and the statistics for listeners are quite extraordinary. I’ve had some amazing guests, including Christian McBride, Soweto Kinch and an extraordinary interview with Gadi from Shalosh Trio in Israel.

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

As part of my blog posting schedule, I’m now uploading dates for upcoming gigs, usually from past guests. That will be in addition to gig and album reviews and links to other sites I’m writing for, including The Riff and Kind of Jazz.

There are some amazing interviews already in the bag for January and more planned for the rest of Season 15 and I hope you enjoy listening to them every week - they usually go live on a Wednesday. Please do let me know which episodes in particular you enjoy.

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.”