Tickets now on sale for Edinburgh Jazz and Blues Festival

 

PROGRAMME, MORE INFO, TICKETS.

Arts education needs your voice

I am forwarding an email from Campaign for the Arts regarding a consultation on arts and music education in schools. Please complete the consultation. Campaign for the Arts have prepared templates with answers and it does not take long to complete. There is a deadline and it is May 4th. Chris Hodgkins

Back in November, after years of campaigning, we got some good news: the Government pledged to scrap the EBacc and reform Progress 8 – two measures that have contributed to the decline of arts subjects in England's secondary schools.

But scrapping unhelpful measures isn't enough. If we don't shape what replaces them, the arts could continue to be squeezed out of our schools for another generation.

The Government is consulting on reforms to Progress 8 right now, and we've heard that in this consultation, numbers matter.

Please make sure your voice is counted, so that the arts count in the government's final plans. Respond to the Government's consultation before the 4 May deadline – we've made a step-by-step guide to help you do it easily and effectively in just 15 minutes.

Submit your response →

Stockport Jazz

On Bank Holiday Monday Stockport Jazz welcomes the return of the Gair Carson/Paul Hartley Quartet to the Moor Club, featuring Gair on saxophones/flutes with Paul on guitar alongside Ken Marley (bass) and Eryl Roberts (drums). 

**Please note this gig is on Monday rather than Sunday to accommodate other events being held over the weekend at the Club**

Monday 4th May 2026

8-10pm, doors open at 7.30pm

£5 entry on the door, all welcome

The Moor Club, 35 Heaton Moor Road, Stockport SK4 4PB  (next to the Elizabethan PH)

Daniel John Martin with Swing Manouche @ Central Bar, Gateshead - Apr. 26

Daniel John Martin (violin, vocals); Mick Shoulder (guitar); Dave Smith (guitar); Paul Grainger (double bass)

Standing on Half Moon Lane, Central Bar is not unlike a New York City 'flat iron' in design. The independent pub, situated in the regeneration area known as the 'Gateshead Railway Quarter', welcomed Paris-based violin virtuoso Daniel John Martin. This final concert of DJM's tour of the BSH heartland would, as always, be in the company of Mick Shoulder's Swing Manouche.

Portrait in Evans: Noa Levy & Paul Edis @ The Glasshouse, Gateshead - Apr. 25

© John Lyons

Noa Levy (vocals); Paul Edis (MD, piano); Alan Barnes (alto sax, clarinet, bass clarinet); Andy Champion (double bass); Steve Hanley (drums)

A familiar name and a new name. The returning Paul Edis was on home turf, Noa Levy, from San Francisco by way of London, was making her regional debut. Portrait in Evans is their collaborative project saluting the late, great pianist Bill Evans. Gateshead's Glasshouse (formerly Sage Gateshead) welcomed the principals and their amazing band.

Noel Dennis Trio @ The Gala, Durham - Apr. 24

Noel Dennis (trumpet, flugelhorn); Mark Williams (guitar); Andy Champion (double bass)

A Noel Dennis gig is a cause for celebration. Appearances across the region are few and far between and this lunchtime Jazz at the Gala concert had been in the diary for some time. An advance sellout, trumpeter Dennis would be sharing the stage with guitarist Mark Williams and bassist Andy Champion. 

All seats occupied, the trio opened with the Harry Warren/Mack Gordon standard There Will Never be Another You. Fluent, lyrical, assured, Noel Dennis is, without question, an A-list musician. Mark Williams and Andy Champion are similarly first class musicians. Pat Metheny's Snova came out of left field, but, hey, the sound of surprise and all that.

Album review: Harry Skoler - Echoes (Red Brick Hill)

Harry Skoler (clarinet); Bill Frisell (guitar); Dezron Douglas (bass); Johnathan Blake (drums)

Of all the instruments in the jazz pantheon, apart from when wielded by Pee Wee Russell or Sidney Bechet, in my opinion the clarinet has the purist sound of all. Harry Skoler goes some way - some not all - to validate my opinion. Skoler tailors his sound according to the subject matter thus his portrait of Marian (McPartland) is different to that of Rahsaan Roland Kirk in Everything's Cool, Everything's Cool!.

Jazz is everywhere but where is this?

 

Tony Momrelle: Upstairs @ Ronnie's - April 12

Tony Momrelle (vocals); Emiliano Pari (keys, piano, vocal); David D'Andrade (guitar, vocals); Julian Crampton (bass guitar); Alessio Wildes Barelli (drums); Massimo Orselli (perc,)

On what was arguably the hottest day of the year so far, London had spilt out onto the pavements. Soho was alive in the way that only it can be: pub doors thrown open, bars humming, coats long gone, replaced by shorts, T-shirts and the easy colour of a city remembering summer. Drink flowed, conversations drifted, and the heady scent of Chinatown hung in the warm evening air. And there it was again - that reminder of what Soho really is.

Not just a postcode, not just a night out, but the vibrant epicentre of jazz in this country. It’s all still there, just under the surface; you only need to look for it. At the centre of it all sits Ronnie Scott's Jazz Club - still the beating heart of the UK jazz scene - and upstairs, in that intimate room, the kind of space where music doesn’t just play, it settles into you.

Album Review: Tierney Sutton and Tamir Hendelman – Spring (BFM Jazz)

Tierney Sutton (vocals, producer); Tamir Hendelman (piano)

It might be one of the most glaring errors of judgment – or perhaps “Jazz Luck,” as I call it - that Tierney Sutton has never won a Grammy. She’s been nominated nine times and those in the know tend not only to relish her work (I certainly do), but anticipate her recordings and performances with delightful anticipation.

With Spring, her 17^th recording, Sutton offers something novel for her – a duo studio recording with longtime associate, Tamir Hendelman. With Spring, the duo presents 12 selections, most drawn from the Songbook, and all dealing with things vernal.

Eva Fox & the Sound Hounds @ Black Swan, Newcastle – April 23

© Colin Muirhead

Eva Fox (vocals); Jude Murphy (double bass, vocals); Steve Chambers (keys); Sid White (drums).  + Steve Glendinning (guitars); David Gray (trumpet, trombone)

The latest in the series of Thursday evening gigs at the Black Swan saw the return of Eva Fox and her band, the Sound Hounds. Eva describes her music as being a mixture of traditional jazz and old & new songs arranged in jazz styles. All these elements were well represented and delivered with panache at the Black Swan.

Two aspects of the music stood out for me. Firstly, the willingness to adopt fresh arrangements of well-known songs, such as a very funky version of Leonard Cohen’s Dance Me to the End of Love and a bluesy version of Billie Eilish’s Bad Guy.  Secondly, the way in which the blues permeated many of the songs and gave them extra edge and energy. On 1970s' classics Sugar Man and He Brings the Rain in particular, all the musicians were clearly having a great time!

Press release: Love Supreme Jazz Festival Announces Full 2026 Line-Up

Ezra Collective Presents Temple Of Joy • Loyle Carner • De La Soul

Anderson .Paak (as DJ Pee .Wee) • Jalen Ngonda • Free Nationals • Sister Sledge • Gabrielle • The Temptations & The Four Tops • Franc Moody • Maze • Durand Bernarr • Kokoroko • Samara Joy • esperanza spalding • Alex Isley • Courtney Pine • Lemar • Bill Frisell & Greg Tardy • Moses Boyd • Joe Lovano & Antonio Faraò • Olive Jones • The War & Treaty • Young Gun Silver Fox • Loose Ends • Annie & the Caldwells • Luke Una • Light of the World • CARRTOONS • Joe Webb Trio • Tony Momrelle and Natalie Williams Soul Family  • Kiefer • D.K. Harrell • Emma Rawicz INKYRA and more [full line-up below]

 

*Kofi Stone, Horse Meat Disco, Colleen ‘Cosmo’ Murphy, The Bad Plus, cktrl, NYJO presents Miles Davis 100, Judith Owen, TC & The Groove Family, Olympia Vitalis and anon! among final additions*

FILM: Big Mama Thornton: I Can't Be Anyone but Me @ Tyneside Cinema - Apr. 23

The so-called 'art house' film is rarely screened more than a couple of times and then it's gone. The Tyneside Cinema recently programmed just one screening of Robert Clem's 2025 documentary film Big Mama Thornton: I Can't Be Anybody but Me. It was too good an opportunity not to go and see it...

Willie Mae 'Big Mama' Thornton (b. 1026, d. 1984) on screen is quite the experience. On stage, director Robert Clem's subject is portrayed as an artist fully in control: bold as brass vocals, no mean harp player, fearless in the spotlight. Off stage, Big Mama encounters rip-off merchants, the story of her demise a familiar one. 

Phil Shotton's Kind of Cool Nonet @ the Moor Club, Stockport - April 26

© Jeff Pritchard

Phil Shotton (baritone sax); John Padfield (alto sax); Owen Bryce (trumpet); Mike Monument (French horn); Mathew Horner (trombone); Adam Dutch (tuba); Tom Sykes (keyboards); Matt Lawton  (double bass); Andy Bold (drums).

As Paul Hartley in his welcoming speech, this nine-piece ensemble is the largest to be featured at the Moor Club's Sunday jazz nights.

Phil Shotton provided the charts and assembled a very talented group of musicians to play them. As well as tackling the Birth of the Cool tunes, there was enough time to delve into the Kind of Blue repertoire which featured some nice harmon mute work from Owen Bryce a person, I have heard about but never seen live. Miles would have nodded his approval of his version of All Blues.

Daniel John Martin with Swing Manouche @ Bishop Auckland Methodist Church - Apr. 22

Daniel John Martin (violin, vocals); Mick Shoulder (guitar); Dave Smith (guitar); Paul Grainger (double bass)

The monthly, Friday lunchtime Bishop Auckland Jazz concert series is attracting ever-increasing numbers. This first evening concert presentation, featuring Daniel John Martin with Swing Manouche, would, perhaps, reveal the level of support for midweek evening gigs up on Cockton Hill Road. 

Neil Cowley Trio: Built on Bach @ The Fire Station, Sunderland - April 21

Neil Cowley (piano); Rex Horan (double bass); Evans Jenkins (drums)

Built on Bach was something of a clue as to what we would be listening to. Touring his new album, Cowley was paying a first visit to Sunderland's Fire Station. Our pianist said he was impressed. And it came as no surprise, the High Street West venue is a match for similar concert halls up and down the land and a credit to Wearside. 

Tracks from the new album (Built on Bach) featured heavily, alongside a few from Cowley's back catalogue. Cowley's percussive approach lends itself to Bach counterpoint, his long-time bandmates - bassist Rex Horan and drummer Evan Jenkins - very much 'on point'. 

Dean Stockdale Trio @ Blaydon Jazz Club - Apr. 20

© Ken Drew

Dean Stockdale (keyboards); Mick Shoulder (double bass); Abbie Finn (drums)

On a mild spring evening down on Bridge Street, would an audience materialise for Blaydon Jazz Club's April concert? The Black Bull's lounge started to fill up nicely. We should never have doubted the regulars! 

Milt Jackson's Reunion Blues opened the show in style with Dean Stockdale, Mick Shoulder and Abbie Finn swinging it like nobody's business. Blaydon is renowned for its mainstream, swinging sessions and pianist Dean Stockdale didn't depart from the brief, not that there is one - a brief, that is. 

Daniel John Martin w. Swing Manouche @ The Ship Isis (The Vaux Room): Sunderland - April 24

© Ken Drew

Daniel John Martin (violin, vocals); Mick Shoulder (guitar); Dave Smith (guitar); Paul Grainger (double bass)

We're very fortunate in the north east that DJM is good friends with Mick Shoulder, as he's a gypsy jazz superstar, and he regularly plays a handful of north east dates with Mick's band Swing Manouche.

An away gig for the Old Black Cat club coincided with their footballing namesakes playing at home, and with the Ship Isis within walking distance of the Stadium of Light, it was very busy at the bar. Fortunately the Vaux Room was up the stairs, a cosy room, ideal for some top quality gypsy jazz.

Album review: Jed Levy Phil Robson Quartet - The Unpredictability of the Sea (Livia Records)

© Gregory Dunn

Jed Levy (tenor sax); Phil Robson (guitar); Mark Hodgson (bass); Roberto Gatto (drums)

The second album in just over a year from New York tenor player Levy. His previous album, Faces and Places was favourably reviewed HERE last May and the good news is that The Unpredictability of the Sea, whilst totally different, is batting in the same league.

For this latest album Levy teams up with UK guitarist Phil Robson, a musical partnership that began when Robson himself was living in NYC where they soon became an integral part of  that city's jazz scene.

Since then Robson has relocated to Ireland although the album was actually recorded at My Secret Place, Gatto's studio in Rome. Jazz really has become well and truly global.

Reminder: Parliamentary Jazz Awards - Nominations close on May 15

Just a gentle reminder that nominations for this year's Parliamentary Jazz Awards close at midnight on May 15. Don't leave it until the last minute but start making your choices now.

There are plenty of local bands, venues, singers, instrumentalists, educators and blogs that are worthy of the national exposure these prestigious awards bring so don't procrastinate - nominate!

To avoid confusion please ensure your nominations are spelled correctly e.g. Bebop is one unhyphenated word not Be-bop! Lance

NOMINATE HERE.

MORE INFO.

Press release: STRICTLY SMOKIN' BIG BAND plus, direct from Germany IKS BIG BAND

Gosforth Civic Theatre, Newcastle 7.30pm doors | 8pm music

We're very excited to welcome Immanuel-Kant-Schule Big Band from Rüsselsheim over to Newcastle for a very special trans-European big band celebration at Gosforth Civic Theatre on 5th June, culminating in a double big band extravaganza...

Founded in 1986 and celebrating its 40th anniversary this year, the IKS Big Band has earned a reputation in Germany as one of the leading large jazz ensembles in the Frankfurt Rhine-Main area.

GCT Tickets: 5th June

Jazz Time Aycliffe Radio - Sundays 6.30-8.00pm (repeated Tuesdays 8.00-9.30pm).

https://www.ayclifferadio.co.uk/listen.

Playlist 26/04/26 (repeated Tuesday 28/04/26)

Seasonal: Count Basie & his Orchestra.

Celebrating International Jazz Day: Duke Ellington, Mingus Big Band 93, Duke Junction.

Memories: Ella Fitzgerald, Percy Heath/Connie Kay/Jimmy Guiffre, Ma Rainey.

Requests: Daniel Casimir & Tess Hirst.

New Releases: Tommy Smith/Brian Kellock, Jon Onabowu.

Requests: Roy Hargrove Quintet, Mike Gibbs + Twelve, Neil Cowley Trio.

What’s on in the NE: Midnite Follies Orchestra.

Seasonal: Thelonious Monk, Tommy Smith/Brian Kellock. 

Aycliffe Radio is now available on DAB in County Durham & the Darlington area or via your smart speaker.  

Sunday night @ the Globe: Graham Hardy's Eclectic Quartet - April 19

Graham Hardy (trumpet, flugelhorn); Ben Lawrence (keys); Andy Champion (bass); John Bradford (drums)

Although we didn't have a reviewer at the Globe last Sunday for what I'm told was an excellent gig by  Graham Hardy's Eclectic Quartet, ace photographer Ken Drew was present and he kindly sent us these pictorial images which I think capture the cool and laid back ambience of both band and venue. Thank you Ken. Lance

Press release: Knats sign to Fontana + share new single “Never Gonna Be A Boxer.” New album "A Great Day In Newcastle" out 1st May. Produced by & featuring Geordie Greep

Today, Newcastle upon Tyne jazz trailblazers Knats return with the second single to be taken from their highly anticipated new Geordie Greep (black midi) produced album “A Great Day In Newcastle”. Since releasing their first single “Wor Jackie”, the band have already been breaking new ground, having now signed to the recently relaunched legendary label Fontana (UK home to AURORA, Jordan Rakei, Jacob Collier, Jon Batiste, Madison Cunningham and more). The album is set for release on 1^st May as the band complete their headline UK tour. The new album was mixed by Hugh Padgham and executive produced and mastered by the world-renowned Gearbox Studios.  

Michael Young Trio with Lara Hopper @ The Engine Room, Sunderland - Apr. 19

Michael Young (keyboards); Paul Grainger (double bass); Abbie Finn (drums) & Lara Hopper (trumpet)

A Sunday afternoon in Sunderland. The Engine Room welcomes drinkers, diners and, once a month, jazz fans - who may or may not be drinkers and/or diners. We were here to listen to the Michael Young Trio and this month's guest musician, trumpeter Lara Hopper. 

It's good to see Michael Young's residency continuing on High Street West and the addition of a guest musician is a welcome development. April's guest, Lara Hopper, currently studying at Trinity Laban, London, is definitely one to watch/hear. The adjoining Fire Station concert hall was hosting a live screening of Sunderland AFC's Premier League fixture at Aston Villa. Jazz and football, not forgetting an obligatory pint, the perfect combination! 

Ben Crosland Quartet @ Sunderland Minster - April 17

© Ken Drew

Rod Mason (flute, curved soprano/alto/tenor sax); Dean Stockdale (piano); Ben Crosland (bass guitar); Dave Tyas (drums) 

Wooltown Reflections is Ben Crosland's new album (release date Monday, April 27) and the nationwide tour to promote it began in the splendid setting of Sunderland Minster. Arriving at the High Street West venue in early evening sunshine, Rod Mason was spotted sitting on a bench 'enjoying' a cigar. 

Bassist Crosland's quartet boasts two long serving bandmates - the aforementioned Mason (reeds) and, there from day one, drummer Dave Tyas. A more recent recruit, pianist Dean Stockdale, is, of course, a fixture on the regional jazz scene. At a little after half past seven, Crosland and co took to the stage. 

Jazz on the Tyne Celebrates International Jazz Day 2026 with Guest JustKing Jones

In the latest edition of the podcast, presenter Colin Muirhead talks with New York-based saxophonist, composer and producer JustKing Jones about his music, ahead of his gig at Ronnie Scott’s on International Jazz Day, 30^th April.  

Together with music by JustKing, you’ll hear tracks by Dee Dee Bridgewater, Jeffrey Hewer, and Zoë Gilby, who’ll also be performing on International Jazz Day, plus new music by David Bowden, Lars Danielsson, 8 Octopi, and the Jed Levy - Phil Robson Quartet.

You can listen to the show anytime HERE.

Plus, you can request music for future programmes, pass on news or leave feedback by emailing Colin at jazz.tyne.hive@gmail.com or by heading to www.jazzonthetyne.org.

R.I.P. Geoffrey Smith (1943 - April 2, 2026)

If BBC Radio 3's Jazz Record Requests had been a sandwich former presenter Geoffrey Smith, who sadly passed away on April 2, would have been the very satisfying filling.

Smith inherited the position with the BBC in 1991 following the death of Peter Clayton and held it until 2012 when Alyn Shipton took over.

That same year he continued on Radio 3 with Geoffrey Smith's Jazz in which his vast knowledge and broad tastes attracted many listeners to the show which ran until 2019.

Andy Hague Sextet @ Llandudno Jazz Club - April 20

Andy Hague (trumpet); Neil Yates (valve trombone);  Elliot Richards (tenor sax); Huw Warren  (keyboards); Gavin Barras (double bass); Will Blackhouse (drums)

In this intimate pub venue this little big band with 3 brass players literally raised the roof. Andy Hague, Bristol based trumpet player, led this very talented sextet and also provided arrangements for all the tunes performed. Although most of them were well known standards they were all given an original arrangement which made the evening very special. 

Neil, Gavin and Huw were well known to me but I had not previously encountered the other three members of the sextet. All are high calibre jazz musicians. Elliot and Will impressed on sax and drums respectively and Andy is a very formidable trumpet player. Neil organises jazz at this Club each Monday and he is a multi instrumentalist usually playing trumpet/flugelhorn/sax so it was good to see him on valve trombone this evening. Huw as normal provided a masterful performance on keyboards.

Neil Cowley Trio @ Capstone Theatre, Liverpool - April 18

Neil Cowley {piano); Rex Horan  (double bass}; Evan Jenkins (drums)

Neil Cowley Trio returned to the Capstone Theatre just over 12 months since their last performance here on 1 March 2025 as part of that year’s Liverpool International Jazz Festival. The guys went down well last year and from the standing ovations and rapturous applause at the end of this concert it was clear that Liverpool loves this group. I only became familiar with Neil Cowley’s work relatively recently through the Jamie Cullum's programme on BBC Radio 2 and Jamie is clearly a big fan. I have several of Neil Cowley’s CD’s and am a fan but the trio’s live shows are something else. Their music has been described as energetic, melodic and “muscular” piano jazz, However, it’s not all about the piano as Rex Horan and Evan Jenkins play major roles in this music.

Emily Masser with Dean Stockdale Trio @ Alsager Jazz Club - April 16

Emily Masser  (vocals); Dean Stockdale  (keyboards); Joshua Cavanagh-Brierley (double bass); Gaz Hughes (drums)

My first visit to Alsager Jazz Club since they moved earlier this year to the Thirteen Club in Alsager. I liked the new venue and shared Emily Masser’s view that it seems like more of a jazz club than the old place which, in fairness, had served weekly jazz very well for many years.

At just 22, Emily is an amazing vocalist and I have enjoyed seeing her mature over the past few years. She has played many times before with the Dean Stockdale Trio who are all well-established artists on the UK’s jazz scene.

The Tequila Slammers @ Anglesey Golf Club - April 21

Ray Brook  (flute); Neil Yates (trumpet, tenor sax); Huw Warren (keyboards); Joshua Cavanagh-Brierley (double bass); Johnny Hunter (drums)

A day trip to Anglesey in Wales is always a pleasure and never more so than when it is combined with a jazz gig. The Tequila Slammers are normally a quintet playing Latin jazz  formed by flute player Ray Brook an outfit I have seen play a few times at different venues in North Wales sometimes with different personnel. 

A message from Mike Carton

Hello Lance, The best laid plans of mice and men..... ? Problems/issues on this side of the Pond with the renewal of US residency papers. Pretty much par for the course with govt agencies everywhere, I suppose. Been waiting since December 2024 !! expecting another [official] 8 to 14 months wait. I haven't forgotten my thoughts on visiting the North East!!

Stockport Jazz

This Sunday Stockport Jazz welcomes Phil Shotton’s ‘Kind of Cool’ Nonet to the Moor Club, performing the entire iconic Miles Davis ‘Birth of the Cool’ album. 

Not only is 2026 is the centenary of Miles Davis’s birth, Sunday’s concert also looks forward to this year’s International Jazz Day held at the end of April. 

The lineup consists of :

Album review: Ben Crosland Quartet with special guest Steve Waterman - Wooltown Reflections (Jazz Cat)

Ben Crosland (bass); Rod Mason (soprano/alto/tenor/baritone sax, flute); Steve Waterman (trumpet, flugelhorn); Dean Stockdale (piano, Rhodes); Dave Tyas (drums)

I missed the Ben Crosland Quartet's gig at Sunderland last Friday and, by all accounts, I missed a treat. However, this, his latest album, goes a long way to making up for it and not least because of the addition of special guest Steve Waterman. I'm always amused at the use of 'Special Guest' as it seems to be applied to anyone who augments a band with ill regard as to how special they are (or aren't).

In the case of Steve Waterman the question is purely hypothetical. There are few trumpet players who are more special than he. His soaring flights of fancy, his mellow flugel or the tightly muted solos are the stuff that dreams are made of for many other brassmen.

The Cable Street Rag Band @ Jamboree, London - Apr. 16

Lewis Taylor (trumpet, vocals); Dave Shulman (clarinet, tenor sax); John Kelly (guitar); Harry Evans (double bass)

A Limehouse de Reverie without Ewan Bleach! The indisposed Cable Street Rag Band MD left matters in the capable hands of Lewis Taylor and his bandmates to keep the show on the road. The band's regular date at Jamboree continues to pull a crowd and the absence of multi-instrumentalist Bleach wasn't about to dampen the enthusiasm of the many regulars who were there to dance the night away.

Jamboree is something of a hidden gem. Tucked away down St Chad's Place, little more than a stone's throw from King's Cross Station, the history of the former Victorian warehouse was probably lost on the majority of the dancers taking to the floor. From teens to a nonagenarian, they danced to the beat of the Cable Street Rag Band.

Press release: BBC Proms in the North East returns in 2026 with its biggest regional programme yet, spanning Gateshead, Sunderland and Middlesbrough

BBC Proms in the North East returns from 23-25 July 2026, marking its fifth year in the region and its biggest programme to date.

• For the first time, the weekend spans three cities, with events across Gateshead, Sunderland and Middlesbrough, reflecting a growing North East‑wide music region.
• Royal Northern Sinfonia sits at the heart of the festival, leading bold cross‑genre Proms performances alongside classical, contemporary, indie, folk, jazz and choral music.
• Programme highlights include North East artists including Northumberland folk pioneers The Unthanks, and South Tyneside-born Nadine Shah, in her BBC Proms debut, alongside Royal Northern Sinfonia, a Sunderland Proms premiere by Mendelssohn, Morton Feldman’s Crippled Symmetry and a large‑scale choral gathering featuring the BBC Singers.
• Accessible ticketing, emerging artist showcases and national BBC Radio 3 broadcasts continue the Proms’ commitment to reaching new audiences locally and sharing the region’s music‑making nationally. 

Album review: Isabella Isherwood - The Sweetest Sounds (Sabrina Records)

Isabella Isherwood (piano, vocals); Mike Allemana (guitar); Joe Policastro (bass); Alejandro Salazar (drums)

Yet another new jazz singer rolls off the conveyor belt. This may be Isherwood's debut as a recording artist but, as a live performer, she is held in high respect in her native Chicago where she has been featured with that city's symphony orchestra and at the local jazz festival as well as touring extensively in Europe. Not bad for a 23 year old.

The Sweetest Sounds sees Isherwood take a choice mix of standards, vintage pops, show tunes and a well known jazz classic and, if not making them her own, borrows them with interest that is compounded with repeated listening. This isn't totally surprising as the session was produced by Champian Fulton and readers of BSH will know the high regard I have for that singer.

Mozes Rosenberg Trio @ The London Gypsy Jazz Festival, Toulouse Lautrec, London - Apr. 16

Mozes Rosenberg (guitar); Filippo Dall'Asta (guitar); Andy Crowdy (double bass) 

A first visit to Toulouse Lautrec Jazz Club. From Kennington underground, little more than five minutes' walk and there it was, an unprepossessing corner site, back in the day, likely as not a south London boozer. The reason for the excursion? The London Gypsy Jazz Festival, specifically the Mozes Rosenberg Trio!

A ground floor restaurant offering French cuisine, a first floor piano bar and, on the top floor,  Toulouse Lautrec's well-appointed jazz club. All of the cabaret style tables occupied, the lights dimmed, the evening's MC introduced the great Mozes Rosenberg. Joined by Italian guitarist Filippo Dall'Asta and the UK's string bassist Andy Crowdy, Rosenberg would play for seventy five minutes. 

Riketté Genesis @ Cafe Boheme, Soho, London - Apr. 16

Riketté Genesis (vocals); George Webster (piano)

When in London it's always worth looking in on Cafe Boheme. The Old Compton Street venue presents an afternoon gig every day of the week. Nominally free admission, it costs no more than the price of a beer or a coffee. In Soho, that's a bargain! 

This Thursday afternoon we were listening to the first of two sets by vocalist Riketté Genesis and pianist George Webster. I Can't Give You Anything but Love, Baby for openers: bold, bright, engaging, our duo playing for themselves, the listening few and a dancing couple.