Vote for Greatest Jazz Artist of All Time with the BBC

A collection of 50 jazz musicians have been compiled by the BBC and JazzFM, with help for the music community, and voting is now open to select the Greatest Jazz Artist of All Time.

Voting opened on October 6th and will remain open until Thursday 22nd October. There is wide mix of artists included in the shortlist from the US, UK and Europe and both post-humous and living nominations.

The UK jazz scene is represented by Bobby Wellins, Jamie Cullum, John Taylor, Kenny Wheeler (an honorary Brit if ever there was one) , Loose Tubes and Norma Winstone.

Vote online by visiting the BBC Music website.

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.

Blue Plaque Unveiled for Wheeler

A plaque honouring the great trumpeter and composer Kenny Wheeler has been unveiled at his home in Leytonstone.

In a joint initiative between the London Borough of Waltham Forest and National Jazz Archive, Wheeler now joins Sir John Dankworth, Dave Shepherd and Jackie Free to have been commemorated in this way.

The unveiling was attended by Wheeler's family and close friends including Dave Holland, Norma Winstone and Nick Smart.