Polar Bear, Melt Yourself Down and Matthew Bourne in Leeds

This month, Leeds-based indepdendant record label The Leaf Label reaches its 20th anniversary. As part of these Leaf 20 celebrations, which include vinyl re-releases and a limited edtion edition box set, new Leeds venue Headrow House will host gigs by three of the UK's most innovative and exciting improvsing bands and artists.

Polar Bear Announce New Album, Single and UK Dates

UK jazz luminaries Polar Bear are back with a new album Same As You and a UK tour. Despite its short gestation since the last record, the Mercury Prize shortlisted In Each And Every One, Same As You is a bold statement showing a strong vision for the band's future.

Album Review: Jesse Bannister's 'Play Out'

Jesse Bannister: Alto Saxophone, Zoe Rahman: Piano, Kenny Higgins: Bass Guitar, Seb Rochford: Drums

The incorporation of Indian music into jazz is something I am often skeptical of. Although it is certainly not a new phenomenon on the British scene, dating back to the 1960s work of the British avant-garde such as Jamaican born saxophonist Joe Harriott, in recent years I feel it has sometimes been too easy to add some odd time signatures and a tabla player to a record and call the music 'indo-jazz'.

This is not the case with 'Play Out', the new album from alto saxophonist Jesse Bannister. Jesse's deep understanding of and respect for the traditions of Indian classical music run deep through the album, and the music is delivered with such skill and taste that there is not the slightest hint of gimmickry to the indo-jazz fusion presented here. 'Play Out' makes it clear why Jesse has earned the reputation of being the UK's leading Indian/Indo-Jazz saxophonist.