Hilary Seabrook - writer, podcaster, musician

Welcome to the latest episode of Harmonious World, in which I interview musicians about how their music helps make the world more harmonious. For this episode, I was joined by  Vonn Vanier , ahead of the release of his fascinating debut album Dawn . Thanks to Vonn for allowing me to share clips from Dawn , which has a fascinating selection of styles and creativity. 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."

One of the stand-out albums of 2023 was sax player Joshua Redman's debut on Blue Note Records and he's done it again this year with his second release on the iconic label.  ‘ Words Fall Short ’ - out on 20 June - follows beautifully from 'Where Are We?', which I reviewed in 2023. Redman's second album on Blue Note marks a moment in time with the band leader’s remarkable new outfit. Alongside his quartet of Paul Cornish (piano), Philip Norris (bass) and Nazir Ebo (drums), Redman has called on some exceptional talent in the shape of Melissa Aldana (sax) and Skylar Tang (trumpet). There’s also the wonderful voice of Gabrielle Cavassa, who helped Redman breathe life into the 2023 release ‘Where Are We?’ There'll soon be a full album review on KindofJazz.com

At the end of a lively and exuberant performance that filled the stage with musicians and the air with very real performances, Leeds-based Fergus Quill's Imaginary Big Band spilled out onto Frith Street and blasted passers-by and fine diners with their experimental arrangements. Frith Street comes to life Led by bandleader and bassist Fergus Quill, this disparate group of young musicians performs arrangements of tunes, free improvisations and a plethora of compositions by Quill and other members of the band. Although I was aware of Quill's work - he won the Musicians’ Company 2022 Tina May Jazz Award  - I only found out about the Ronnie Scott's gig by chatting with pianist and composer Nico Widdowson in Watford last week. Widdowson won the Tina May award in 2024. This is no ordinary big band. There's no Glenn Miller or Billy Strayhorn. And that's OK. Because there's plenty of Quill and Widdowson: this is music of the 21st century with a VERY big band - six sax...

Welcome to the latest episode of Harmonious World, in which I interview musicians about how their music helps make the world more harmonious. It was a real delight to chat with  Ute Lemper : I was assistant to the Producer of The Wall: Berlin 1990 and Ute sang on stage for that performance. Her latest album is Pirate Jenny, a celebration of revolutionary composer Kurt Weill's 125th birthday this year. If you get a chance to hear Ute sing live, please do take it - if you're in the UK, she's appearing at the  Cadogan Hall  on Friday 13 June and I hope to be in the audience. Thanks to Ute for allowing me to share clips from Pirate Jenny and you'll want your headphones on to experience the delights of her voice(s)! 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 singl...

The last Saturday night of Watford Jazz Junction Music Festival 2025 was the most amazing world premiere of a jazz suite composed by singer and violinist  Alice Zawadzki . I was fortunate enough to be present for the first run-through, when this incredible group of musicians came together and made creative contributions to the form and structure of ‘Invented Folklore’. Alice Zawadski and her band The evening began with kinetic wonderment from tap dancer Petra Haller and pianist Tom O’Brien in a rendition of jazz standards and free improvisation. A truly unique experience, since no two performance could ever be the same. Following that, Zawadski and her band were truly entrancing in their creative and collaborative renditions of the violinist and vocalist’s stunning compositions. The compositions allowed each musician the freedom to improvise and come together in ensemble sections that seemed effortless but clearly can only happen when you know and understand both the writing and yo...

Another delightful evening with Watford Jazz Junction Music Festival at the Pump House Theatre, this time with award-winning trumpeter Mark Kavuma supported by another rising star - Oscar Lyons. The Mark Kavuma Quintet Oscar Lyons Quartet The evening began with Oscar Lyons (piano) with George Johnson (tenor sax), Zaki Osahn (bass) and Ananda Brandao (drums) with an impressive set of original compositions proving that the young jazz world is thriving and producing outstanding music. While they may lack the experience, they absolutely have the chops, with each musician performing with a frenetic energy when required and a beautiful calm of freedom and respect for the creativity and improvisation of each other. Percussive piano melds into gentle melodies: intensity and speed ebbs and flows. Clearly, these musicians have done their preparation and enjoy working together, with simplicity and complexity each handled brilliantly. Following a break, the stage was prepared for Mark Kavuma (tru...

Wednesday night brought a breathtaking, extraordinary night of unbridled jazz of which Watford Jazz Junction Music Festival should be proud. Nico Widdowson with his trio Programming is notoriously difficult for jazz festivals and the work done by the team at Watford Jazz Junction has proved that finding solutions is not just possible, but is also incredibly satisfying. Audiences enjoying more than one night of this year's music festival have experienced jazz of extraordinary variety and at an internationally high quality. Wednesday was the highlight so far for me and is up there on my list of best gigs.  Opening the show was Nico Widdowson (piano) with Joe MacLaren (bass) and Jordan Hatfield (drums). From the opening musical onslaught, this was an exciting and invigorating set. Widdowson proved why he won the Musicians' Company Tina May award in 2024 as musician of the year. Interestingly, Tim Garland (of whom more later) won the award in 1997. Avant garde jazz can be difficu...