Singer Zara McFarlane, the festival’s director, and our jazz critic pick their top five concerts to attend at this year’s festival, which starts on November 10th.
The singer Zara McFarlane’s selections
Basquiat and Jazz with Black Top with Orphy Robinson are eager to hear Orphy’s musical reaction to Basquiat’s art. I was incredibly impressed at this Barbican exhibition and the exhibition of Basquiat. Basquiat was so profoundly influenced by improvisation and free Jazz. This concert pays tribute to him: jazz musicians take Basquiat’s concepts and reinterpret them in a form like “call and response.” You can expect top-quality jazz improvisation from this fantastic band and a spoken-word performance by the musician Anthony Joseph.
Abdullah Ibrahim
The festival is a fantastic opportunity to experience famous international performers. The spotlight has been shining on South African Jazz recently – in many ways, the scene in South Africa is similar to the location here with various new bands. Abdullah Ibrahim, though, is among the great, most excellent musicians. This concert will feature songs he composed and the other South African legend, Hugh Masekela, whom I’ve been privileged to share on stage with.
Camilla George Quartet
It’s time to shout, my girl! Camilla has been through tomorrow’s Warriors and Jazz Jamaica as I did. She’s an incredible alto-saxophonist supported by a great group comprising Dan Casimir and Femi Koleoso from the Ezra Collective. This is the case with this band – everyone participates in many groups. Check out Camilla’s performance in the small space before she explodes!
Ezra Collective and Kokoroko
Make sure you have the right dancing shoes for this event. Ezra Collective is an exciting new London group of incredible jazz musicians led by Femi Koleoso. Mixing Afrobeat hip-hop, reggae, and Afrobeat, Their infectious beats will keep you dancing immediately. Afrobeat band Kokoroko is backing the group. Trumpeter Sheila Maurice-Grey leads it and features an all-female horn section; you can expect Fela Kuti- and Ebo Taylor-inspired goodness and hard-hitting grooving from other emerging London Jazz musicians.
The Floacist presents Maisha and Triforce.
This is spiritual! Sometimes you must venture slightly off the beaten track to discover the great things. I’m amazed at Natalie “Floacist” Stewart’s work with Floetry. It’s great to see her support young artists. I only discovered Maisha, whose amazing young drummer Jake Long leads, after he appeared with me at 6 Music. Imagine a mix of spiritual Jazz and West African Afrobeat. The gifted saxophonist Nubya Garcia is also a part of Triforce. Then, Triforce mixes jazz-fusion, hip-hop, and neo-soul. Another band that is young and getting noticed – released their debut album, Jazz Refreshed last year. The guitarist of the group, Mansur Brown, who was part of Yussef Kamaal’s live group, is an absolute talent.
John Cumming, festival director, picks his favorites
Zakir Hussain – Crosscurrents
This is the first European performance by a trio that has been performing across the US to praise much. The tabla maestro will explore how Jazz was a significant influence on pop music from India during the 1930s and is with a group that includes Indian artists who were jazz-loving during the 50s with legendary musicians Dave Holland and Chris Potter.
Led Bib, Schnellertollermeier and WorldService Project
If you’re looking for a glimpse of where one of the strands of modern-day European Jazz is headed, look at the following three bands – these three bands show enthusiasm and a style that ranges through heavy rock-infused grooves and wild free jazz improv. It’s part of a string of concerts in the venue Rich Mix that explore the diversity of the current generation of Jazz.
Justin Kauflin Trio, Airelle Besson and Vincent Segal
Acoustic double bill at one of the most prestigious concert halls for chamber music. The mastery of Kauflin’s jazz piano tradition is a characteristic of a hugely skilled newcomer. The shimmering sound of the French cello and trumpet duo made for a delicately poised and elegant opening performance.
Thelonious Monk at 100
The festival’s celebration for a jazz master includes a 3-part examination of every song Monk composed, performed with love and passion by piano player Jonathan Gee and saxophonist Tony Kofi. The cherry on top is veteran Charles Tolliver’s recreation of Monk’s infamous 1959 Town Hall concert – that he attended as a teenager. (At Cadogan Hall, all day on November 19th.) The night prior will be Monk Misterioso, Theatralia’s exploration of Monk’s life, examining the mystery of his final seven years (at Kings Place on November 18th). There’s also a rare showing of Les Liaisons Dangereuses with a Monk score that was first released this year. (At Barbican Cinema on November 11th.)
Jaga Jazzist and Sinikka Langeland
The culmination of a full day of celebrations in the Royal Festival Hall celebrates the wide range of music emerging in the Scandinavian jazz scene. The Norwegians of Jaga Jazzist are a fascinating musical force in their own right, as Sinikka Langeland plays the music from one of the last year’s best ECM releases together alongside Arve Henriksen as well as Trio Mediaeval together. This is a live performance, and the fantastic Danish drummer Marilyn Mazur brings her exuberant all-female Shamania on stage for free, along with the award-winning Finnish trumpeter Verneri Pohjola and the Swedish Tolvan Big Band.
John Fordham, a jazz critic, picks his top Jazz songs
Michael Wollny, Andreas Schaerer, Vincent Peirani, and Emile Parisien, along with Adam Baldych and the Helge Lien Trio
The newly formed European supergroup comprises the world-renowned pianist Wollny, the accessible experimental singer Schaerer and accordionist Peirani, and the erratic Ornette, the saxophonist Coleman Parisien influenced. They are on this ACT Records double bill with the group of violinist Baldych that blends music from Jazz and Polish and Norwegian folk music.