It’s the year 1982 and copper wires are crisscrossing the walls of my bedroom that my brother and I shared. Listening for the crackling of the beat as we moved the wires around trying to pick up the signal of the pirate station, Radio Carolina or Radio Luxemburg. The weather conditions had to be just…
“Everybody Loves the Sunshine” rang out at the Maiden Voyage Festival on the hottest ever August bank holiday weekend. The legend Roy Ayers was in town and played a selection of his jazz-funk classics, one of my favourite artists, having seen him a few times at the Jazz Cafe over the years. His voice is…
After more than 30 years in the music business, it is a surprise to know that this is Gilles Peterson’s first festival in the UK. And what a festival he has lined up!! I don’t know why it’s taken him so long. Gilles has curated a wonderfully eclectic lineup from world music, joining the dots…
At the Horns in St Albans I checked out a band called Mice with Glasses in which a friend was playing. Its taken me years to come and see them. They were excellent, the music was rockin and the sound from the Horns pub was brilliant. They are an indie rock covers band with Paul…
Wow another year and Jazz refreshed gets bigger and better. It was the place to be on Sunday 6th August 2017 at the Clore Ballroom in the Royal Festival Hall. The annual one day festival celebrating cutting edge jazz music is in its 5th year, at least a third more people than last year packed…
Rain rain go away was the call on Saturday but it kept on coming. By the late afternoon / evening it was torrential. The rain eventually stopped when Gilles came on at around 9pm. Before this despite the rain the best was made out of the poor conditions. Poor Organisation The event organisers I think were…
Another excellent one day festival celebrating Jazz music curated by Jazz re:freshed This was the 4th year and the best yet. The sound was tight and the music was stomping. It was a hot / sweaty afternoon in the Clore Ballroom packed with double the audience than last year. The word has definitely been getting…
An early evening of eclectic music at the South bank centre where Yasmin Kadi played to a packed crowd supported by my friend Kadija Kam. This was the first time I had seen both plays. WOW Festival – Women of the World festival celebrates women and girls, and looks at the obstacles that stop them…
What a brilliant night of jazz at the Barbican in London. Two amazing artists showed the future of Jazz music curated by BBC 6 music DJ Gilles Peterson. It was the hottest ticket in town!! First up on stage was GoGo Penguin a British band who recently got signed to Blue Note records. The members…
Universal Zulu nation Hip hop culture exhibition at the House of Vans. It runs till 15th November if you are in the area take a look. The exhibition celebrates hip hop culture the art form since its early conception from the perspective of the 4 artists listed below. I went on the private view evening…
