Thursday 8 October 2015

Our Top Picks for London Jazz Festival 2015


It's only a month away from the 2015 London Jazz Festival and we've selected our top picks for those of you making the journey down south.

Andrew Linham Jazz Orchestra (15th November, 8pm - Spice of Life)

Saxophonist and composer Andrew Linham is an alumnus of Leeds College of Music and was named a Yamaha Jazz Scholar in 2010. His jazz orchestra features some extraordinary talent and this gig will premiere some new music - The Theme Music of Anarchic Animals.

Corey Mwamba/Rachel Musson and Colin Webster/Andrew Lisle (14th Nocember, 1pm - Barbican)

Cath Roberts and Dee Byrne are doing inspirational things in London with LUME and these gigs are programmed by LUME to showcase the improvisational talents of vibes player Corey Mwamba and saxophonist Rachel Musson and of saxophonist Colin Webster and another LCoM alumnus, drummer Andrew Lisle. A pair of completely improvised gigs, this will definitely be a highlight.

Jazz & Surgery: Professor Roger Kneebone and Ollie Howell (16th November, 8pm - Cockpit)

Exploring the unlikely parallels between jazz and surgery – with live music and a simulated brain operation Improvisation. Jez Nelson (presenter of BBC Jazz on 3) hosts a special Jazz in the Round event exploring the unlikely parallels between surgery and jazz, with former trauma surgeon and Professor of Surgical Education Roger Kneebone and drummer Ollie Howell. Join them on the operating table as The Cockpit's unique theatre space transforms into the setting for a simulated brain surgery – an interactive experience intertwined with live music and discussion.

Kenny Wheeler - An Evocation (19th November, 7.30pm - Cadogan Hall)

This concert will celebrate the huge contribution to jazz trumpeter Kenny Wheeler made in a career that spanned over 60 years. His close friends and collaborators will perform including Dave Holland, Evan Parker, Norma Winstone, Ralph Towner and the last quintet members — Stan Sulzmann, Chris Laurence, John Parricelli, Martin France.


Of course, this just scratches the surface of the full programme, which can be found on the London Jazz Festival website.

1 comment:

Unknown said...

Another highlight with strong Leeds connections is the Barbican performance by Submotion Orchestra led by Leeds-trained drummer Tommy Evans and featuring Ruby Wood (vocals) and Simon Beddoe (tpt) on Sunday 22nd November. The band is augmented by more Northern Jazzers for this gig (such as Josh Arcoleo) and also the Ligeti string quartet which has worked with Laura Jurd on Landing Ground. Matt Roberts is writing arrangements to incorporate the quartet.