Editor-at-Large Peter Bacon picks the choice jazz events close to his home. And remember, it’s often quicker to get up to Birmingham than to get to the other side of London… Here is a bunch of gigs worth getting to… Read More ›
Birmingham Jazz
Nigel Price – Heads & Tales Volume 2
(Whirlwind Recordings) This is the follow-up to Volume 1 which the guitarist released in 2011. It’s a two disc set, the second being Price alone or playing with himself via overdubs, the first being his organ trio with Ross Stanley… Read More ›
My top five West Midland gigs – December 2016
If you are going to try a few gigs in the English West Midlands this month, these are the ones I’d choose from first: Friday 2 Pilgrimage: Young Pilgrims, Rotunda Of Wonder, Gorillabot Jazzlines, Hare & Hounds, Kings Heath, Birmingham 8.30pm, £10 A… Read More ›
Not your everyday jazz instrument – hear it live on Friday
The French horn has a niche place in jazz, despite making some really famous appearances – in the Claude Thornhill, Gil Evans, Gunther Schuller and Carla Bley big bands. Its appearances as a strong solo instrument in a smaller combo are… Read More ›
Magic sparks at The Red Lion tonight
A bunch of good friends together generates positive energy, when they are musicians then their interactions will be more sophisticated, and when they have some music to play that is written and arranged specially for them the interactions will become more characterful… Read More ›
Jazz singing with a Palestinian twist tonight
The acclaimed Palestinian singer Reem Kelani is performing for Birmingham Jazz this evening at The Red Lion in the Jewellery Quarter. And she is accompanied by a top-class piano trio. Reem, who was born in this country, has lived and… Read More ›
Italian pair add one and are on in Birmingham tonight
Pericopes comprises Italian pianist Alessandro Sgobbio and his compatriot saxophonist Emiliano Vernizzi. For their album, called These Human Beings, they are joined by Brooklyn drummer Nick Wight. In the Spring the trio played a European tour and now they are back… Read More ›
Stan Tracey Legacy Octet
Review and pictures by Garry Corbett Mac, Cannon Hill Park, Birmingham UK 24-09-2016 Throughout its history of 40 years Birmingham Jazz has had a strong relationship with the music of Stan Tracey. The passing of Stan in 2013 could have… Read More ›
Birmingham Jazz @ 40: memories from four who have played a part
Birmingham Jazz is 40 years old. Happy birthday to BJ! There are all sorts of events this autumn to celebrate this impressive anniversary, centred on a performance of music from a past president of the organisation which is on Saturday. Here’s the… Read More ›
Trio Brasil + Mark Lockheart
The Red Lion, Birmingham UK 16-09-2016 Presented by Birmingham Jazz Review and Photographs by John Watson Huw Warren must be one of the most versatile pianists and composers on the planet. I have enjoyed his work in a huge variety of… Read More ›
Perfect Houseplants? How about an exotic hybrid?
Back in the early ’90s saxophonist Mark Lockheart, pianist/accordionist Huw Warren and bassist Dudley Phillips were three Perfect Houseplants (drummer Martin France was the fourth). Since then they have been involved in countless other bands either as leaders or sidemen. And they are… Read More ›
Paul Towndrow & Steve Hamilton – We Shine The Sun
(Keywork Records) Just an alto saxophone and a grand piano, a bunch of original tunes from each of the players and few choice ones from Jackie McLean, Charles Ives, John Scofield and Bela Bartok – sometimes keeping it simple is… Read More ›
My top five Midland gigs – September 2016
If you are going to try a few gigs in the West Midlands this month, these are the ones I’d choose from first: Tuesday 20 Corrie Dick’s Impossible Things Jazz at The Spotted Dog, Digbeth, Birmingham, 9pm, £5 donation Thoroughly original and… Read More ›
The 2016 JQ Jazz Legends Festival – part two
Birmingham Jazz is giving us not one but two Legends Festivals in 2016 on their home patch in the Jewellery Quarter to the north-west of the city centre, and that’s before we get to BJ’s big birthday celebrations in the… Read More ›
Sean and four stir up some Fervour
Trumpeter, composer and band leader Sean Gibbs has a new group and it is peforming at The Red Lion on Friday evening. The line-up is completed by Ben Lee on guitar, Andy Bunting on piano, Nick Jurd on bass and… Read More ›
My top ten Midland gigs – July 2016
If you are going to try a few gigs in Birmingham this month, these are the ones I’d choose from: Friday 8 Sean Gibbs’ Fervour Birmingham Jazz, The Red Lion, Jewellery Quarter, Birmingham, 7.45pm, £6 New jazz quintet with rock/blues leanings led… Read More ›
My top ten Midland gigs – June 2016
If you are going to try a few gigs in Birmingham this month, these are the ones I’d choose from: Wednesday 8 In Love With TDE Promotions/Fizzle, mac, Cannon Hill Park, Birmingham, 8pm, £10 French drummer Sylvain Darrifourcq has string-playing brothers to share… Read More ›
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