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Showing posts from May, 2024

Chatting with pianist and composer Bill Laurance

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I sat with pianist and composer Bill Laurance in his studio in South London to discuss his new album with The Untold Orchestra - Bloom . Out now on ACT Music , this is a fascinating work of this classically-trained and virtuoso member of Snarky Puppy . Bill's work combines quasi-classical composition, using the orchestra as a rhythm section in places, and his wonderful improvisation, and our conversation takes us all around Bloom, lockdown and life as a Snarky Puppy. Thank you to Bill for allowing me to share tasters of tracks from Bloom alongside our conversation. 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 .

The London Podcast Show - why bother?

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I’ll tell you why you should bother with the London Podcast Show (or any other similar event): it will give you a chance to meet up with other podcasters and those in the know. The podcast market is on the rise and depending on which statistics you believe, anywhere from 20-40% of adults listen in regularly. If you’re an indie podcaster, getting a bite of that apple is hard to achieve, but you’re unlikely to do it sitting alone in your kitchen. My podcast - Harmonious World , if you want to check it out - has been growing over the last few months, mainly because I’ve started doing live interviews with musicians, instead of relying on online conversations. Going to the London Podcast Show with the great team from Pod Spike was an eye-opener in terms of grabbing that growth and increasing it. I now have all sorts of game-changing tips and ideas for upping my game and upgrading my kit on a budget. I met other indie podcasters and rubbed shoulders (literally) with podcast royalty, Rylan Cl...

Grooving in Ronnie’s with Natalie Williams’ Soul Family

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Sunday evenings will never be the same again, as once a month that slot at Ronnie Scott’s is given over to Natatlie Williams and her Soul Family . For 17 years, this band has been appearing regularly at the iconic home of jazz in the heart of Soho. Alongside some crowd-pleasing cover versions, Natalie and her band belt out some toe-tapping originals every few weeks.  Regulars and newbies packed the club on this particular Sunday night and the band entertained with their own arrangements of tunes by everyone from George Michael and Phil Collins to the incomparable Quincy Jones song One Hundred Ways and Stevie Wonder’s Higher Ground . One of the most impressive features of the Soul Family is the way vocal solos are shared around, with Natalie herself equally at ease singing backings for one or more of the other vocalists - Vula Malinga, Brendan Reilly and Daniel Pearce. And this family wouldn’t be what it is without the rhythm and horn sections that really groove. Every member of t...

Exploring the music of Ancient Greece with Theodore Koumartzis

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I was joined for the latest episode of Harmonious World by Greek lyre virtuoso Theodore Koumartzis , who not only plays and creates, but he's also knowledgeable on the music of Ancient Greece. He's the visionary behind the pioneering Museum of Ancient Music Instruments, Seikilo , in Thessaloniki. Theo is a creator and collaborator at heart and he has worked with many musicians around the world, including the marvellous Danae Xanthe Vlasse . Thank you to Theo for sharing tracks alongside our conversation. 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.

An audience with Rosie Frater-Taylor and Nigel Williams - coming soon to JazzFM

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London's Kings Road boasts one of the finest jazz clubs in London and last night The Pheasantry was full of the sound of guitarist and singer-songwriter Rosie Frater-Taylor . With an evening introduced by JazzFM's Nigel Williams , Rosie's engaging singing and highly proficient guitar playing entertained the audience in the Pizza Express Live venue. Photo credit @ Hilary Seabrook Playing a selection of tracks from new album Featherweight , Rosie also included some older tunes and a selection of carefully-curated cover versions, with stripped-down arrangements featuring backing vocals from Verushka and Azz (who also played the beautiful Steinway and keyboard). Right now, Rosie's voice features heavily on Solid Air , a track from Sean Khan's new album with The Modern Jazz & Folk Ensemble and that track seems to encapsulate the intersection between jazz and folk where Frater-Taylor sits comfortably and creatively. Coming soon will be the JazzFM special, so I won...

Chatting with drummer Clark Tracey

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Drummer Clark Tracey has a collaborative soul and he has brought his quintet to work with up and coming singer Emily Masser - he explains why in this conversation . Emily's talent as a singer is clear from the opening bars of Introducing Emily Masser , the new album from the Clark Tracey Quintet. Clark explains how he first became aware of this new voice and how the album was conceived. Thank you to Clark for sharing tracks from the album alongside our conversation. 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.

Sunday brunch delights with Ruth Fisher and Imogen Ryall

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Great jazz and a lazy Sunday brunch - what’s not to like? Ruth Fisher presented the opening show of this year’s Watford Jazz Festival , introducing Imogen Ryall and her tribute to the musical relationship between Joni Mitchell and Charles Mingus . Photo Credit @ Robert Crowley Imogen’s 2023 album Imogen Ryall Sings the Charles Mingus/Joni Mitchell Songbook is a delight and her quintet brought the album to life, with a few other tunes, all alongside a chat with Jazz FM’s Ruth Fisher , The album and gig present a personal interpretation of the classic Mingus album released by Joni Mitchell in 1979. Based on song ideas sent to her by the great bassist Charles Mingus in the months before his death at the age of 56, the tracks encapsulate beautifully the musicians’ styles. Mitchell is rightly regarded as one of the most influential musicians of the 20th century, embracing as she does the best of folk, pop and jazz. What Imogen does with this project is take one of the finest collaboratio...

The Darius Brubeck Quartet live at Jazz Cafe Posk

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My first visit to Jazz Cafe Posk in London's Hammersmith coincided with the 60th anniversary of Posk - The Polish Social and Cultural Association - and the first performance in the club by pianist and composer Darius Brubeck. Photo credit @ Hilary Seabrook Darius was 10 when he joined his father on a historic tour of Poland. The Dave Brubeck Quartet toured Poland from 6 to 18 March 1958, just three years after the communist regime's ban on jazz was lifted. Without a doubt, this was the biggest jazz event in post-war Poland, with the archetypal and hugely successful outfit of Dave Brubeck (piano), Paul Desmond (alto sax), Eugene Wright (bass) and Joe Morello (drums). Sixty years later, in  2018, Darius took his own quartet - the same one he brought to Posk in May 2024 - to Poland for a significant tour, recorded and released as the Live in Poland album. Several of the tracks from this album were in the set at Posk and this quartet displayed in depth the benefits of playing to...

An interview with the inspirational Darius Brubeck

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It was a real pleasure to interview the inspirational Darius Brubeck for the latest episode of Harmonious World . I was excited when I was granted an interview with Darius Brubeck but it rapidly became clear that there was so much more to talk about than his talented father, probably one of the most famous jazz musicians in the world. A new film, coming to a screen near you soon, Playing the Changes - Tracking Darius Brubeck shows Dave Brubeck 's eldest son as he transforms jazz education in South Africa and the global social impact of jazz. Alongside the film is Darius's autobiography - co-written with his wife Catherine - Playing the Changes: Jazz at an African University and on the Road . The book is a fascinating read for anyone with a passing interest in the history of jazz in our times, and how South Africa has dealt with its cultural significance and incredible musicians. Apart from anything else, the book and the film together tell an incredible story of people shar...

Kenny Garret and Svoy: 'Who Killed AI?'

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There's an energy to the new Kenny Garrett album - Who Killed AI? Together with producer-musician Svoy , Garrett takes seven crazy jams to produce a cocktail of 'real' and electronic sounds that burns with excitement. For many, Kenny Garrett is known best as collaborator with Miles Davis and there is a sense that this work with Svoy is exactly what Davis would have been doing if he was still with us. But Garrett is certainly not resting on his laurels, the man who has worked with Art Blakey, Freddie Hubbard and Chick Corea has also appeared on tracks, albums and stages with Guru, Q-Tip, Peter Gabriel, Sting, Bruce Springsteen and Meshell Ndegeocello.  One of my favourite tracks that features Garrett's sax is Miles Davis's version of Human Nature , with simply beautiful flute and alto sax. Similarly, on this new album, his My Funny Valentine has an expressive and considered soprano sax that sings around and above the electronics. Whatever he plays, he seems to fin...

Exciting news ahead! LIVE podcast booking soon

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At the end of 2023, I began chatting with my guests in person - where that was possible. I've had some amazing live chats with Christian McBride , Lucy-Anne Daniels , Jeff Atmajian , Mark Lockheart , Didier Recloux , an International Women's Day special with  China Moses , Tim Boniface , Mark Wade , and a special for International Jazz Day with Elina Bzhezhinska . On 1 July 2024 , I will be presenting my first live podcast episode in front of an audience in my home town, Hitchin. The guest is booked and I'll reveal more soon. For now, the excitement is palpable!

Keep on learning

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 On what would have been my father's 92nd birthday, I thought I'd post a picture of him I found in our local library. This was taken not long before he died in 2022 - he was fascinated by local history and was learning almost up to the last days. At his funeral, I read ' Do Not Go Gentle Into That Good Night ' by Dylan Thomas. He really did "rage" until the end.

'Culture Today' from Edy Forey

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The exciting and innovative new album from Edinburgh duo Edy Forey brings Edy Szewy (voice) and Guilhem Forey (keyboards) reimagine some classic tracks and originals with a contemporary edge. Listen to the whole album for a tingling, infectious musical boost that can only inspire. Culture Today allows Edy Forey to collaborate with a whole host of musical pioneers, including Femi Koleoso (Ezra Collective), Michael League and Bob Reynolds (GRAMMY winners with Snarky Puppy) Sharay Reed (Cory Henry & The Funk Apostles, Aretha Franklin, Rachelle Ferrell, Chaka Khan)Alex Hahn(GRAMMY winning saxophonist) Sarpay Ozcagatay (GRAMMY nominated flutist) and percussion from Brazilians Isac Jamba and Carlinhos Percussao. This is an exciting album that has definitely made it to my list of best albums of 2024 and I'm looking forward to hearing Edy Forey live at some point. The single version of Nature Boy  is a modern electronic take on a track that demonstrates a little of what you can he...

Gig listing number 5 - May

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Spring is definitely in the air here in the UK and I hope it finds you well, wherever you are. Let me know if you make it along to any of these gigs. 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...