Following an exceptional digital edition last year, the 29th EFG London Jazz Festival returns to live audiences with a programme of highest quality live performances by an electrifying line up of global stars, special collaborations, new commissions and the finest and freshest music from the UK.
We are back with the complete experience of living London to the fullest, with a city-wide selection of venues, clubs, partnerships as well as creative engagement projects, talks and free-stages, whilst retaining our commitment to our nationwide and global outreach through our digital work.
This first announcement is a taster of the inspirational identity of the festival, with more announcements to come around orchestral music and jazz, weekend strands around UK funk and African music, a music and community engagement partnership with Becontree Forever, concerts at the Barbican and a vast creative engagement programme and other collaborations from the UK jazz scene.
We are looking forward to greeting our audiences right across London and worldwide.
Tickets for the following thirty shows are on sale to the public from 10am Friday 21 May at full capacity.
Friday 12 November
Jazz Voice | Royal Festival Hall
Saturday 13 November
Tony Allen: A Retrospective | Royal Festival Hall
Curated by Femi Koleoso, Remi Kabaka, Ben Okri and Damon Albarn
Sunday 14 November
Wednesday 17 November
Thursday 18 November
What’s Going On: Nu Civilization Orchestra | Queen Elizabeth Hall
Celebrating the 50th anniversary of Marvin Gaye’s What’s Going On
Friday 19 November
Saturday 20 November
Sunday 21 November
Zakir Hussain | Royal Festival Hall
Detailed copy follows below; for full information visit efglondonjaz
SHOWS:
Jazz Voice | Friday 12 November | Royal Festival Hall
The Festival's glittering opening-night gala features Guy Barker leading the EFG London Jazz Festival Orchestra in a glorious celebration of singer and song with specially invited guests. Past singers have ranged from Jacob Collier to Paloma Faith and Gregory Porter to Corinne Bailey Rae. The stars come later, but the tickets are available this week.
Joachim Cooder + Sam Amidon | Friday 12 November | Queen Elizabeth Hall
Joachim Cooder is known for his collaborations with his father Ry Cooder, and brings his album Over The Road I'm Bound to London in this show, which also features Sam Amidon, another great singer on the Nonesuch label. This is the London date on a full national tour that will be announced in June.
Julian Lage | Friday 12 November| Cadogan Hall
Newly signed to Blue Note records, guitarist Julian Lage has broken into the major league. Mentored by Pat Metheny and Jim Hall, Julian dug deep into his music while he toured the world with musicians from Gary Burton to John Zorn, developing what Jazzwise called ‘his dazzling array of emotional and technical control over his Fender Telecaster’.
Tony Allen: A Retrospective | Saturday 13 November | Royal Festival Hall
Curated by Femi Koleoso, Remi Kabaka, Ben Okri and Damon Albarn
Legendary Afrobeat drummer Tony Allen passed away a year ago, working on his new album for Blue Note There Is No End featuring a younger generation of artists, including Skepta and Sampa The Great.
Tony Allen’s long-time collaborator Damon Albarn, alongside UK jazz scene’s blazing drummer and new Gorillaz member Femi Koleoso, poet-novelist-storyteller Ben Okri, and Afro-rock percussionist from Gorillaz Remi Kabaka, curate and perform with an electrifying line-up to create, especially for the Festival, this star-studded and spectacular celebration of Tony Allen's life and music.
Bryter Layter: A Nick Drake Celebration | Saturday 13 November | Queen Elizabeth Hall
Alasdair Roberts and Emily Portman celebrate the 50th anniversary of Nick Drake's legendary album.
Orphy Robinson (vibraphone, marimba and percussion) and Rowland Sutherland (flute) join folk luminaries Emily Portman and Alasdair Roberts and their band to celebrate Nick Drake’s seminal album Bryter Layter, one of Rolling Stone’s Greatest Albums Of All Time, for its 50th anniversary. In recent Festivals, Orphy and Roland's stunning shows around Van Morrison’s Astral Weeks and Pentangle’s Basket of Light have received standing ovations.
Lakecia Benjamin | Saturday 13 November | Cadogan Hall
Charismatic saxophonist Lakecia Benjamin presents her new album Pursuance: The Coltranes, which pays homage to John and Alice Coltrane. The album brings timeless compositions of the Coltranes into the present day. ‘Lakecia Benjamin plays jazz sprinkled with the rich flavours of funk and soul’ (New Yorker)
Irreversible Entanglements | Saturday 13 November | Kings Place
The liberation-oriented free jazz and spoken word collective Irreversible Entanglements formed by poet Camae Ayewa (aka Moor Mother), saxophonist Keir Neuringer, and bassist Luke Stewart, will have their much-anticipated Festival appearance, following their International Anthem release Who Sent You?
Dave Holland and John Scofield | Sunday 14 November | Cadogan Hall
Guitarist John Scofield and bassist Dave Holland join forces to present audiences with a new conversation, playing original compositions each have contributed to their repertoire, with a selection of jazz standards added to the mix. Those familiar with their individual artistry can expect nothing less than a compelling meeting of their musical minds – virtuosity, enjoyment, and depth.
Amadou & Mariam + Yugen Blakrok| Sunday 14 November | Royal Festival Hall
The great ambassadors of Malian music return to the Royal Festival Hall. Amadou & Mariam have released a string of acclaimed albums, with Welcome to Mali nominated for a Grammy Award. Working with producers like Manu Chao and Damon Albarn, they create joyous music that inspires great live shows and wild remixes. South African hip-hop luminary Yugen Blakrok
Vijay Iyer, Linda May Han Oh, Tyshawn Sorey | Sunday 14 November | Queen Elizabeth Hall
Innovative composer and pianist Vijay Iyer collaborates with Pat Metheny's bassist and EFG London Jazz Festival 2020 performer Linda May Han Oh and drummer Tyshawn Sorey in their new ECM release UnEasy which has had roaring success and was Guardian’s Jazz album of the month.
Cleveland Watkiss and Django Bates: Arts and Crafts | Sunday 14 November | Kings Place
Cleveland Watkiss and Django Bates have travelled independent paths for the past forty years, each imparting purpose and direction to their craft. They unite for the first time at the Festival where they will explore from Armstrong to Bowie and from Bates to Watkiss, making songs of love and hope, songs of art and craft.
Sarathy Korwar with special guests | Sunday 14 November | EartH
US-born, India-raised and London-based tabla player Sarathy Korwar has established himself as one of the most original and compelling voices in the UK jazz scene. He leads UPAJ Collective, has collaborated with the likes of Shabaka Hutchings, Arun Ghosh and producer Hieroglyphic Being. His album More Arriving on The Leaf Label was voted Mojo’s Jazz Album of the year and he explores rebalancing spiritual jazz and classical Indian music on his latest release with UPAJ on Night Dreamer records.
Woodkid | Wednesday 17 November | Royal Festival Hall
Film director Yoann Lemoine made his name with videos for artists including Lana Del Rey, Katy Perry and Taylor Swift, before turning the camera on himself and recording an album under the name Woodkid. He’s become known for his spectacular live shows, including a dramatic live broadcast from the Eiffel Tower. This is his only British concert, based around his new album Goliath on Polydor, and it promises to be a truly epic production.
Joey Alexander + Noemi Nuti | Wednesday 17 November | Cadogan Hall
Pianist/composer Joey Alexander is the youngest jazz artist ever nominated for a Grammy. His first album for the legendary Verve label Warna follows four Motéma albums that garnered him three Grammy nominations and critics and readers poll victories in DownBeat and JazzTimes. Noemi Nuti has received wide critical acclaim headlining festivals and singing in Andrew McCormack’s Graviton. Her album Venus Eye fuses influences from Joni Mitchell to Esperanza Spalding.
Ichiko Aoba | Wednesday 17 November | Kings Place
Rising Japanese guitarist and songwriter Ichiko Aoba makes atmospheric folk music with intricate arrangements, primarily performed on classical guitar, and lyrics inspired by her dreams. She has released several albums, from intimate acoustic recordings to the cinematic dream pop of Windswept Adan where she submerges her music in ambient strings and electronics.
What’s Going On: Nu Civilization Orchestra (NCO) | Thursday 18 November | Queen Elizabeth Hall
NCO celebrate the 50th anniversary of Marvin Gaye’s What’s Going On. NCO led by Peter Edwards is a world-class ensemble brought together by Tomorrow’s Warriors’ artistic director Gary Crosby OBE. The show begins with a prelude based on Gaye’s Trouble Man, that creates the cultural setting for the album through music, projections and spoken word. The second part focuses on the genius of What’s Going On - a homage to a legend that inspired and connected generations.
Frazey Ford | Thursday 18 & Friday 19 November | Union Chapel
Vancouver artist Frazey Ford is revered for her soulful voice, captivating live shows, and immersive, lyrical storytelling. She returns to the UK with new album U Kin B the Sun. Frazey first became known to UK audiences as a founding member of Canadian alt-folk band The Be Good Tanyas.
Kandace Springs | Thursday 18 November | Alexandra Palace Theatre
Kandace Springs brings her soul-drenched vocals to the classic Alexandra Palace Theatre to perform from her Blue Note album The Women Who Raised Me. It's her loving tribute to the great female singers who inspired her to become one of the premier jazz/soul vocalists of our time. As Prince once said, 'Kandace Springs has a voice that could melt snow’.
Anthony Joseph | Thursday 18 November | Kings Place
Award winning Trinidad-born poet, novelist, academic and musician Anthony Joseph has released eight critically acclaimed albums. He has collaborated with Archie Shepp, Shabaka Hutchings and Meshell Ndegeocello. In 2018 he curated the Windrush Celebration collaborating with Jason Yarde on compositions. He is returning to the festival with a new show featuring Jason Yarde, Denys Baptiste, Rod Youngs and Andrew John.
Yo La Tengo | Friday 19 November | Royal Festival Hall
Iconic indie rock band Yo La Tengo make their London return with a special show for the Festival. For nearly thirty years Ira Kaplan, Georgia Hubley and James McNew have enjoyed success entirely on their own terms – playing the world’s best concert halls, museums, and dives, dominating critics’ lists, doing a Simpsons theme, playing the Velvet Underground in I Shot Andy Warhol and sharing stages with some of the most important musicians of our time.
Omar Sosa & Seckou Keita | Friday 19 November | Queen Elizabeth Hall
Legendary Cuban pianist Omar Sosa and Senegalese kora master Seckou Keita join forces for a special collaboration which Songlines described as “beautiful, rhapsodic and spiritual”. They play the Festival together to celebrate the release of their second collaboration Suba and will be joined onstage by Venezuelan percussionist Gustavo Ovalles.
Terje Isungset | Friday 19 November | Kings Place
Terje Isungset marks 20 years of “ice music" with an international collaboration featuring Terje Isungset on ice instruments, Sami singer Sara Marielle Gaup Beaska and video artist Anastasia Isachsen; Swedish ECM artist Anders Jormin on double bass; Inuit throat singers Pauyungie Nutaraaluk and Beatrice Deer plus Tuvan throat singer and member of acclaimed band Radik Tyulyush.
Jaimie Branch | Friday 19 November | Jazz Café
Chicago trumpet player Jaimie Branch returns to London following her new live recording Fly or Die Live, released this Friday on International Anthem. A pillar of the Chicago jazz scene, the avant-garde trumpeter has contributed to a wide range of projects not only in jazz but also punk, noise, indie rock, electronic and hip-hop with her “ghostly sounds”. The eclectic fusion on her new album feels like it bears the weight of both that specific pocket of time, and a prophecy for all that was soon to come, and she will carry this sound into her Jazz Café show.
Average White Band: Saturday Night Funk! | Saturday 20 November | Royal Festival Hall
A funking great Saturday night! Back in the 70s, British jazz-funk fired up dancefloors and concert halls worldwide. Average White Band led the way – and their energy, soul and irresistible command of the groove remains unsurpassed. This concert sees them play The White Album in the first half, and then all their other dancefloor hits in the second round.
Dianne Reeves | Saturday 20 November | Cadogan Hall
Dianne Reeves starred in George Clooney’s six-time Academy Award-nominated cult classic Good Night and Good Luck and she won the Best Jazz Vocal Grammy for the film’s soundtrack. She's played with Wynton Marsalis and the Lincoln Center Jazz Orchestra and toured the world in Sing the Truth, a celebration of Nina Simone which also featured Lizz Wright and Angélique Kidjo.
Bill Laurance & The Untold Orchestra | Saturday 20 November | Union Chapel
Keyboardist and composer Bill Laurance, a founding member of Snarky Puppy. first joined forces with Manchester's Untold Orchestra to work on tracks from his album Cables. This partnership led to exploration of synthesisers and music technology and their relationship to a ground-breaking orchestra - hear the live fruits of their collaboration in the extraordinary acoustic of Union Chapel.
Stefano Bollani | Saturday 20 November | Queen Elizabeth Hall
Pianist Stefano Bollani playing solo is a musical torrent of improvisation and spontaneous humour, infused with the warmth of his Italian heritage. He’s renowned for his collaborations on the ECM label – his own bands and partnerships with legends from Chick Corea to his mentor Enrico Rava. Expect extracts from his subversive take on Jesus Christ Superstar and the full range of his own music.
The Necks | Saturday 20 & Sunday 21 November | Kings Place
The Necks are masters of their own language of long-form improvisation. Each night they step onto the stage with no pre-conceived ideas of what they will play – they and the audience will go on a sonic journey that is created in the moment, in that room. They have been touring for over 30 years, collaborating with Brian Eno, Swans, Ilan Volkov, Evan Parker, Karl Hyde, Leo Abrahams and Nick Cave & The Bad Seeds.
Zakir Hussain | Sunday 21 November | Royal Festival Hall
Zakir Hussain’s spectacular tabla playing is the sound of a virtuoso at the very height of his creative powers. He played with Ravi Shankar and Ali Akbar Khan, and then made his name through a series of extraordinary collaborations. One bright thread running through Zakir's life is his work with John McLaughlin in the great acoustic group Shakti, but this concert is also inspired by Planet Drum, his ever-evolving collaboration with Mickey Hart from the Grateful Dead.
Matt Calvert | Sunday 21 November | Kings Place
Breaking from the high octane sounds of his bands Three Trapped Tigers, Strobes and Goldie’s live band, composer Matt Calvert showcases his entirely acoustic album Typewritten with a nine-piece ensemble of guitars, strings, drums, tuned percussion and keyboards, extending his previous work without using a single square wave, effects pedal, laptop, amplifier or programming.
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