Harmonious World - first LIVE episode in front of a studio audience

This is the second episode featuring guitarist Rob Luft and - most excitingly - the FIRST Harmonious World episode recorded in front of an audience. The event was part of Hitchin Festival and I was delighted that Rob was able to join me in conversation and also that he played so much. The audience was thrilled, too.

Photo credit: John Morrow

I want to thank Rob, every member of the audience, Glyn and the team at Hitchin's Market Theatre, plus videographer Julian Newman-Turner, and you'll soon be able to view the video on YouTube.

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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'Adi Shakti' from Vidya, featuring guitarist Rob Luft

As I was preparing for tonight's special episode of Harmonious World being recorded live in front of an audience with guitarist Rob Luft, I was delighted to be sent the latest album from singer, pianist and composer Vidya-Liselotte Sundberg, which features Rob.

Vidya with Magnus, Jon and Rob

Adi Shakti is Vidya's third studio album and it has a fascinating story. Building on the sentiment of her second album Papillon, Adi Shakti draws upon the singer's experience of having searched for, found and then lost her biological Indian mother, followed by the death of her adopted Swedish mother in 2022.

The Hindu mantra ‘Adi Shakti’ means ‘Primal Power’, and it was this alongside an extremely moving poem by the 13th century Persian scholar and mystic Rumi that inspired her new music.

“Out beyond ideas of right doing and wrong doing there is a field, I’ll meet you there. When the soul lies down on that grass the world is too full to talk about” - Rumi

Adi Shakti also features the exceptionally creative musicians Rob Luft on guitar, Magnus Bergstrom on bass, Jon Falt on drums and additional vocals from Lisa Rydberg.

Speaking about working with Vidya, guitarist Rob Luft says: “Co-composing a piece with Vidya and playing on this album was a real pleasure and a privilege. She’s a hugely talented singer-songwriter and I particularly love the way in which she has given each player huge amounts of musical freedom on this record. There’s ample space for master improvisers Jon Fält & Magnus Bergström to create inventive Nordic jazz textures and rocky grooves, and my own musical voice is ever-present from start to finish.”

Rob's voice really is ever-present. I'm used to hearing his guitar with vocalist Elina Duni, and this is different in style and Vidya's voice, too, allows plenty of space for the other musicians. From the start of 'Woman', there is interweaving lines between Rob, Magnus and Jon and Vidya's vocals. At the same time, there's a simplicity and a complexity - lyrically and melodically.

Listening to this album in preparation for interviewing Rob for the second time for my podcast - in 2020, at the start of the pandemic - reminded me why I was so pleased that he agreed to chat and play live for this special episode of Harmonious World tonight. His work with Vidya sounds deeply spiritual and creative and I'm looking forward to finding out more in our conversation. She is a singer of huge breadth in her songwriting and her singer, and it's clear she gathers around her people who will do her music justice.

Gig listing no 7 - July

Now July has hit and jazz festivals around the world are taking over, with a LOAD of new music out from some fantastic artists. Check out some of these venues and events below, especially those featuring past guests on the Harmonious World podcast:

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

Monday 1 July: The Market Theatre, Hitchin
Harmonious World Live featuring music and conversation with guitarist Rob Luft. Tickets & info: Harmonious World Live

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

Tuesday 9 and Wednesday 10 July: Boisdale Belgravia
‘Billie Holiday at Carnegie Hall’ with Riketté Genesis comes to this exciting new Soho jazz joint. The show, which revisits Lady Day’s legendary 1956 Carnegie Hall appearance, features the Alex Webb Quartet and includes many of Billie’s most -loved songs. For tickets & info: Belgravia - British Restaurant and Bar with daily Live… | Boisdale

Friday 12 to Sunday 14 July: 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

Sunday 14 July: Swanage Jazz Festival, Sandpit Field Marquee No.1
Quintet Blue, featuring Denys Baptiste and Nigel Price. A reunion for this hard-swinging band led by Alex Webb with Mikele Montoli (bass) and Alfonso Vitale (drums). For tickets & info: Tickets - Swanage Jazz Festival

Friday 19 July: Brasserie Toulouse Lautrec, 140 Newington Butts, Kennington, London SE11 4RN
Ineza & ‘Women’s Words, Sisters’ Stories’ - 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: Ineza & 'Women's Words, Sister's Stories' - Toulouse Lautrec

Friday 26 July: Oliver’s Jazz Bar, 9 Nevada Street, London SE10 9JL
Ineza & ‘Women’s Words, Sisters’ Stories’ - the Belgian/Rwandan vocalist comes to this atmospheric jazz cellar 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: What’s On – Oliver's Jazz Bar (oliversjazzbar.com)

Tuesday 30 July: Boisdale Belgravia, 15 Eccleston Street London SW1 W9LX
Ineza & ‘Women’s Words, Sisters’ Stories’ - the Belgian/Rwandan vocalist comes to this venerable jazz restaurant 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: Belgravia - British Restaurant and Bar with daily Live… | Boisdale

Monday 19 August: Pizza Express, Dean Street, Soho London W1

Ineza & ‘Women’s Words, Sisters’ Stories’ - the Belgian/Rwandan vocalist comes to this key London 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: Ineza & Alex Webb Trio in 'Women's Words, Sisters Stories' | Pizza Express Live

Saturday 24 August: Shambala Festival, Northamptonshire, Sankofa Stage

Ineza & ‘Women’s Words, Sisters’ Stories’ - the Belgian/Rwandan vocalist comes to this much-loved music and arts festival with Rosie Turton (trombone), Alex Webb (piano), Charlie Pyne (bass) and Katie Patterson (drums)., exploring the jazz repertoire written or co-written by the great jazz divas themselves. For tickets & info: HOME - Shambala (shambalafestival.org)

Monday 2 September: Pizza Express, Dean Street, Soho London W1

The concert debut of The Pocket Ellington, a seven-piece celebration of the Ellington repertoire with Alan Barnes (reeds), Tony Kofi (tenor), Simon Finch (trumpet), David Lalljee (trombone), Dave Green (bass) and Winston Clifford (drums). As well as clever adaptations of Ellington classics the group also plays music from arranger/composers influenced by the Duke, including Mingus, Monk and Gil Evans. For tickets & info: The Pocket Ellington feat. Tony Kofi & Alan Barnes | Pizza Express Live

Thursday 12 September: Piano Bar Soho, Carlisle St London W1D 3BT

Marvin Muoneke with the Alex Webb Trio. A rare London date by this remarkable jazz vocalist, who toured recently with the Down For The Count Orchestra. Expect spine-tingling versions of the great jazz ballads as well as plenty of uplifting swing. For tickets & info: Piano Bar Soho — Soho Live Music Club

Wednesday 25 September: The Crypt at St Martins In The Fields, Trafalgar Square WC2N 4JJ Celebrating the Sarah Vaughan Centenary: to mark Sassy’s 100th, a show starring Lulu Pierre and Marvin Muoneke which recreates highlights of the Sassy repertoire and the famous duets with Billy Eckstine – as well as her work with Tony Bennett and Joe Williams. With the Alex Webb Quintet, ticket and info: Crypt Lates: Great Jazz Voices - Celebrating the Sarah Vaughan Centenary - St Martin-in-the-Fields

Sunday 29 September: Scarborough Jazz Festival, Scarborough Spa

Big Ben: celebrating saxophonist Ben Webster with Alex Webb & Tony Kofi. Headlining the last night of this venerable jazz festival, a narrated show about this legendary tenor player. The all-star band includes Alan Barnes (reeds), Simon Finch (trumpet), Dave Green (bass) and Clark Tracey (drums); strings are provided by the J.A.M. Collective. The show explores Ben Webster’s musical journey from the 1930s sessions with Billie Holiday, through the Duke Ellington years to the 1950s recordings for Norman Granz and his later years in Europe, and his work with strings. For tickets & info: Box Office & Customer Support | Scarborough Spa

Friday 4 October: Pump House Theatre, 5 Local Board Rd, Watford WD17 2JP

Celebrating the Sarah Vaughan Centenary: to mark Sassy’s 100th, a show starring Lulu Pierre and Marvin Muoneke, which recreates highlights of the Sassy repertoire and the famous duets with Billy Eckstine – as well as her work with Tony Bennett and Joe Williams. With the Alex Webb Quintet, ticket and info: Sarah Vaughan Centenary – Pump House Watford

Friday 15 to Sunday 24 November: EFG London Jazz Festival
There are some incredible gigs coming in already for this year's London Jazz Festival, including a raft of great options at Cadogan Hall.


Ongoing
* My newest discovery is Jazz Cafe Posk in Hammersmith: a great, relaxed venue

* 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

* Lots to see and hear at Kings Place, right next to Kings Cross and St Pancras

* Don't forget Ronnie Scott's, which has a range of jazz to suit all tastes (closed throughout August, so go now or book for September)