On the last night of this year's EFG London Jazz Festival the focus of attention turned to the future. The final of the BBC Young Jazz Musician 2020 took place at London's Cadogan Hall. Due to the ongoing pandemic the event was a 'behind-closed-doors' affair. Five young musicians - saxophonists Alex Clarke and Matt Carmichael, bassist Kielan Sheard, pianist Deschanel Gordon and guitarist Ralph Porrett - performed brilliantly in the hope of landing the coveted title, but, as is the way, there could be only one winner.
Presenter YolanDa Brown introduced the various luminaries - Nikki Yeoh and Infinitum, that's Michael Mondesir and Mark Mondesir (the contestants' 'backing band') and the members of the jury, Guy Barker, Nubya Garcia and Orphy Robinson. As the judges deliberated, 2018's Young Jazz Musician Xhosa Cole showed our five hopefuls what lies ahead of them as he returned as a guest performer to play his composition Georgia F on My Mind (remembering George Floyd) as a solo tenor saxophone piece.
YolanDa Brown announced the winner of the 2020 BBC Young Jazz Musician...Deschanel Gordon!!!
The evening's running order:
Matt Carmichael: Hopeful Morning; On the Gloaming Shore; Sognsvann
Deschanel Gordon: Haynes Here (Kenny Garrett, arr. D. Gordon); Awaiting; 'Round Midnight (Thelonious Monk)
Alex Clarke: Lullaby of the Leaves (Bernice Petkere); In Your Own Sweet Way (Dave Brubeck); Before You Arrived
Kieland Sheard: Worlds Collide; Wilfred's Abode; Blues in the Closet (Oscar Pettiford)
Ralph Porrett: Lotus Blossom (Billy Strayhorn, arr. R. Porrett); Giant Steps (John Coltrane, arr. R. Porrett); Scrim (John Parricelli); Love Hurts (Boudleaux Bryant).
Russell
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