As a massively respected artist on the jazz scene, Robert Mitchell’s latest release with his 3io has been much awaited. Mitchell is steadily building up a huge reputation. Aside from his own groups (3io and Panacea) he has also worked with Steve Coleman, Omar Puente, Courtney Pine and Matana Roberts amongst a glittering list of… [Read more…]
September 19, 2011 by Culture Capital
Gwyilm Simcock has the jazz world at his feet. Still on a high after his Mercury Prize nomination (although he didn’t win of course), critically acclaimed for his recording work and enjoying collaborations with a number of senior jazz figures, Simcock is reaping the rewards of his undeniable talent. Simcock’s an eloquent ambassador for his… [Read more…]
September 17, 2011 by Catherine Marks
All Or Nothing At All is newcomer Alexander Stewart’s debut album. A compilation of trads and pop covers, it covers all the bases for an accessible entry to the jazz scene. Stewart’s voice is strong and smooth, comfortingly wrapping around each lyric in the familiar songs, making this easy listening. But that’s not what makes… [Read more…]
September 2, 2011 by Catherine Marks
The Kena is perhaps not the most obvious choice as the lead instrument of a band. As a diatonic keyless Andean flute, its melodic possibilities are somewhat limited by its simple design. But it is this instrument that Mauricio Velasierra has spent the past decade mastering, even producing his own instruments to find the ‘perfect… [Read more…]
August 10, 2011 by Culture Capital
With a month to go until the winner of the 2011 Mercury Prize is announced, at least one shortlisted artist could be forgiven for not bothering to prepare a victory speech. Since its founding as an antidote to the commercialism of the Brits in 1992, the Mercury Prize has never been won by a jazz,… [Read more…]
March 8, 2011 by Catherine Marks
Today is the 100th International Women’s Day – celebrating the achievements of women across the world – and there are some fantastic bits and pieces going on in London as part of it. Here’s a taster of a couple of music events that should be great: International Women’s Day 100th Anniversary Concert, Cadogan Hall, Friday… [Read more…]
February 12, 2011 by Catherine Marks
Wednesday 9 February 2011 Barbican Centre, Silk Street, EC2Y Penguin Cafe and Portico Quartet make great stage partners as both bands defy any sure categorization. It’s not that their music is all that similar – Penguin Cafe are nearer the folk end of the scale and Portico Quartet veer pretty definitely into jazz territory, but… [Read more…]
October 5, 2010 by Culture Capital
Belying its tiny size and inhospitable geography, the Atlantic Ocean’s Cape Verde Islands packs a punch in the music world, consistently producing artists of outstanding talent. Perhaps it is the expat state-of-mind of the nation (an inert labour market has pushed something more than half of people with origins in the country to live overseas)… [Read more…]
September 7, 2010 by Culture Capital
In September’s edition of The Strad magazine, you can read an article about the changes in string jazz teaching internationally. Inspired by innovative jazz string group Basquiat Strings, the piece asks the question, what opportunities do conservatoires offer string jazz players, especially in relation to specialist teaching? It looks at the differences between American and… [Read more…]
June 19, 2010 by Culture Capital
Working, travelling and socialising together, string quartets lead intense professional lives. It’s a young person’s game in a way, which seems an odd thing to write given that the great string quartets are products of long associations. A long-serving cellist from an extremely distinguished (now ex) quartet once told me how the different members of… [Read more…]
September 22, 2011 by Catherine Marks
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