Hilary Seabrook - writer, podcaster, musician

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

The latest episode of Harmoni ous 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...

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 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.

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...

The new album from guitar virtuoso Julian Lage is Speak To Me , and it takes its inspiration from all around America. It’s a beautiful collection of tunes that tells a story of how music across that huge country has changed and continues to mutate. The Blue Note album Speak To Me features Kris Davis (piano), Patrick Warren (keyboards, piano and dolcitone), Kris Davis (piano), Levon Henry (clarinets and saxes), Dave King (drums) and Jorge Roeder (bass and vibraphone). Meanwhile, Lage himself switches effortlessly and engagingly between acoustic and electric guitar.   There’s a truly joyous shift of tone from a gospel hymn and rural blues to straight-ahead jazz and ballad. The solo Myself Around You is a particularly virtuosic example of Lage at his most creative and almost mesmeric. It’s easy to get lost in this track as it floats dextrously  across a melody that cries out for lyrics, or at least for an explanation of its story,   “Throughout my life, I’ve always respon...

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 .

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.

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 ...

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.

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

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  C...

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 m...