Watford Jazz Junction

In this week's bumper episode we take the time out to talk with Anthony Kerr, professor of jazz vibraphone at the Royal College of Music, and a long time vibist on the world jazz scene.

We explore the importance of mental and physical well-being for musicians, the conditions for a perfect jazz gig, the Belfast, Dublin, New York and London jazz scenes, and take in a full 101 on the evolution of the vibes. It's super interesting!

Anthony's album recommendations include:

• Transition by John Coltrane (1965) released on Impulse!

• The Art of the Trio by Brad Mehldau (1997) released on Warner Bros

• Here's to Life by Shirley Horn (1992) released on Verve

Keep up to date with Anthony at his website: www.anthonykerrvibes.com

Support

You can help support the podcast and keep us ad free. Especially useful if you’d like to support the podcast and want to keep it ad free. Plus it makes Chris feel very happy indeed!

https://www.buymeacoffee.com/ChrisNewstead

Presenter: Chris Newstead

Theme: by SoundWorkLab, licensed through AudioJungle.

Recorded November 2021.

Unc D (musicians Dante Basista & Danny Svenson) are an Ohio-based remix and production team who've seen a huge growth of interest across the last 18 months in their jazz-heavy tracks, influenced by the London scene.

We chat about how UK jazz releases of the last 5 years (especially the work of Kamaal Williams and Brownswood Recordings) are so important to their music, garage-sized jazz production, and how their work has been gathering popularity, particularly on Spotify.

There's some tinkering to our house-band, remixes to the max in our weekly quiz, and the delivery of the classic line, "I try to use excessive keyboards at all times". Word.

Dante and Danny's album choices included:

• Age of Adz by Sufjan Stevens (2010) released on Asthmatic Kitty

• Welcome to the Hills by the Yussef Dayes Trio (2020) released on Cashmere Thoughts

• Expensive Sh*t by Fela Kuti (1975) released on Sounds Workshop & Editions Makossa in the US

Tracks mentioned in this week's remix quiz are:

• Björk: 'Human Behaviour' remixed by Underworld

• Midlake: 'Roscoe' remixed by Beyond the Wizards Sleeve

• Tori Amos: ‘Professional Widow’ remixed by Armand’s Star Trunk Funkin’ Mix

• Florence & The Machine: ‘You’ve Got The Love’ remixed by The xx

• Grace Jones: ‘Williams’ Blood’ remixed by Aeroplane

• M.I.A.: ‘Paper Planes’ remixed by DFA

• Blur: ‘Movin’ On’ remixed by William Orbit

• Goldie: ‘Inner City Life' remixed by Roni Size & DJ Krust

• Missy Elliot: ‘Get Your Freak On’ remixed by Jacknife Lee

• Gorillaz: ‘DARE’ remixed by DFA remix

To hear tracks from Unc D check their Spotify.

Support

You can help support the podcast and keep us ad free. Especially useful if you’d like to support the podcast and want to keep it ad free. Plus it makes Chris feel very happy indeed! https://www.buymeacoffee.com/ChrisNewstead

Show info

Presenter: Chris Newstead

Theme: by SoundWorkLab, licensed through AudioJungle.

Recorded November 2021.

In our first crossing to India, we have a fabulous conversation with the talented and entertaining musicians behind the Indian world/jazz fusion band, MoonArra.

Jagadeesh (guitar) and Madhuri (singer & songwriter) share their outlook of the Bangalore (Bengaluru) music scene, talk about the evolution of the band, and playing festivals the world over.

We talk about the power and importance of collaborations, International Jazz Day and critically make a double-addition to our fantasy house-band! :-)

Among their album recommendations, Jagadeesh & Madhuri recommend:

• Night at the Opera by Queen (1975) released on EMI

• Moonsung by Sheila Chandra (1999) released on Real World Records

• Salt Rain by Susheela Raman (2001) released on Narada

For more information about MoonArra visit their website: http://www.moonarra.com/

Support

You can help support the podcast and keep us ad free. Especially useful if you’d like to support the podcast and want to keep it ad free. Plus it makes Chris feel very happy indeed! https://www.buymeacoffee.com/ChrisNewstead

Show info

Presenter: Chris Newstead

Theme: by SoundWorkLab, licensed through AudioJungle.

Recorded November 2021.

As you'd expect in the company of Ray Gelato, this is an extremely entertaining episode to conclude the current series.

We chat about rhythm & blues, finding your chops in the company of great recordings from the past, and understanding what it is to perform and entertain whilst still being yourself.

We talk about lots of the great tenor players from history, what it takes to be a Giant in Ray's band, and get a full account of what a truly great night out in Soho looks like!

Ray's album choices include:

• Swing's the Thing by Illilnois Jacquet (1956) released on Clef

• The Wildest Show at Tahoe by Louis Prima (1957) released on Capitol

• Songs for Swingin' Lovers by Frank Sinatra (1956) released on Capitol

Check out Ray's website at https://www.raygelato.com/

Support

You can help support the podcast and keep us ad free. Especially useful if you’d like to support the podcast and want to keep it ad free. Plus it makes Chris feel very happy indeed! https://www.buymeacoffee.com/ChrisNewstead

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Presenter: Chris Newstead

Theme: by SoundWorkLab, licensed through AudioJungle.

Recorded October 2021.

We're still celebrating our first year anniversary as part of this fabulously entertaining and giggly conversation with pianist Zoe Rahman.

We talk about all her educational stepping stones, influences and people that played a part in crafting her sound from Julian Joseph to Joanne Brackeen.

We also talk about her latest award-winning composition working with her local primary school that led to Jamie Cullum donating a grand piano, and with the school set to become the latest jazz venue as part of this year's EFG London Jazz Festival.

Zoe's album choices include:

• The Three Americas by Eliane Elias (1996) released on Blue Note

• Keith Jarrett Live at the Blue Note, complete 6-disc box set (and a bit of a cheat by Zoe!) (1996) released on ECM

• Every album by Alice Coltrane (and a massive cheat by Zoe!!) (1968-2006)

Zoe's website: https://www.zoerahman.com/

Zoe performs live at Frith Manor Primary School in Mill Hill as part of the EFG London Jazz Festival on Sunday 21 November 2021: https://efglondonjazzfestival.org.uk/events/zoe-rahman-trio

And here's the back-story to that piano: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=za0kdDoZmuI

Anniversary competition

To enter our 1 Year Anniversary draw, just email [email protected] with the subject title "WJJ Pocast is 1".

Winners will be chosen from a random draw after the deadline at midday (GMT) on 1 December 2021. No cash alternatives are available and no travel is included. Post & package is included. Our first prize is a WJJ T Shirt, a WJJ Baseball Cap & 2 tickets to our Tony Kofi show on 12 February 2022 in Watford. 4 runners up will all win WJJ Baseball Caps. Good luck!

Support

You can help support the podcast and keep us ad free. Especially useful if you’d like to support the podcast and want to keep it ad free. Plus it makes Chris feel very happy indeed! https://www.buymeacoffee.com/ChrisNewstead

Show info

Presenter: Chris Newstead

Theme: by SoundWorkLab, licensed through AudioJungle.

Recorded October 2021.

The WJJ Podcast turns 1-year old this week, and we celebrate in conversation with the hugely talented, funny and thoughtful pianist & composer Elliot Galvin.

A long-time member of 2020 Mercury nominated jazz super-group Dinosaur, leader of his own trio and player in many other groups, Elliot talks about his journey into jazz, his relationship with the piano and his approach to composition.

It might also be the first (& last!) time we manage to bring Noam Chomsky, Beyonce, David Lynch and Harold Pinter into our conversation!

Elliott's album recommendations include:

• Gorillaz by Gorillaz (2001) released on Parlophone

• Kind of Blue by Miles Davis (1959) released on Columbia

• Trout Mask Replica by Captain Beefheart & His Magic Band (1969) released on Straight

Elliot will be performing as part of the EFG London Jazz Festival on Wednesday 17 November 2021. More details here.

Anniversary competition

To enter our 1 Year Anniversary competition, just email [email protected] with the subject title "WJJ Pocast is 1".

Winners will be chosen from a random draw after the deadline at midday (GMT) on 1 December 2021. No cash alternatives are available and no travel is included. Post & package is included. Our first prize is a WJJ T Shirt (as shown by Elliot in the photo!), a WJJ Baseball Cap & 2 tickets to our Tony Kofi show on 12 February 2022 in Watford. 4 runners up will all win WJJ Baseball Caps. Good luck!

Support

You can help support the podcast and keep us ad free. Especially useful if you’d like to support the podcast and want to keep it ad free. Plus it makes Chris feel very happy indeed! https://www.buymeacoffee.com/ChrisNewstead

Show info

Presenter: Chris Newstead

Theme: by SoundWorkLab, licensed through AudioJungle.

Recorded October 2021.

In this week's episode we talk with pianist Greg Foat about his musical influences, his journey into jazz and his reflections on the current UK jazz scene.

We discuss growing up on the Isle of Wight, his extensive record collection and his approach to working with other musicians and creating great collaborations.

Plus there's a bonus appearance by our youngest ever guest!

Greg's album choices include:

• Gyroscope by Gordon Beck (1969) released on Morgan

• Remember of Love by Masuru Imada (1979) released on Three Blind Mice

• Flare Up by Harry Beckett (1970) released on Philips

Greg will be performing as part of the EFG London Jazz Festival on Sunday 14 November. 2021. More details here.

Support

You can help support the podcast and keep us ad free. Especially useful if you’d like to support the podcast and want to keep it ad free. Plus it makes Chris feel very happy indeed! https://www.buymeacoffee.com/ChrisNewstead

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Presenter: Chris Newstead

Theme: by SoundWorkLab, licensed through AudioJungle.

Recorded October 2021.

In this week’s episode we chat with the fabulous singer and songwriter Jo Harrop.

We chat about her new album 'The Heart Wants', working with Christian McBride, being feted by Iggy Pop, playing on the London scene, and responding to the joys and pains of life through song-writing.

There’s lots of laughs, some deep dives into the healing power of music, an exceptionally complex quiz(o), and some great album recommendations including:

Sweet Bitter Love by Aretha Franklin (1967) released on Sony

Sarah Vaughan (with Clifford Brown) by Sarah Vaughan (1955) released on EmArcy

Every song ever by Tom Waits (what a big cheat by Jo!)

Jo's website: www.joharrop.com/

Support

You can help support the podcast and keep us ad free. Especially useful if you’d like to support the podcast and want to keep it ad free. Plus it makes Chris feel very happy indeed! https://www.buymeacoffee.com/ChrisNewstead

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Presenter: Chris Newstead

Theme: by SoundWorkLab, licensed through AudioJungle.

Recorded October 2021.

In this week’s episode we chat with the very talented pianist, composer and arranger Paul Edis.

We chat about his latest album "The Still Point of the Turning World", his creative processes when working within classical and jazz genres, and who he turns to for support as a musician and a creator.

There’s of course a very taxing quiz(!), an evolution within our fantasy house band, and some fabulous album recommendations that even made the host’s hairs stand up on his arms, including:

Night Train by Oscar Peterson (1963) released on Verve

Kind of Blue by Miles Davis (1959) released on Columbia

Solo Monk by Thelonius Monk (1965) released on Columbia

Paul's website: www.pauledis.co.uk

Paul on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/PaulEdisMusician

Support

You can help support the podcast and keep us ad free. Especially useful if you’d like to support the podcast and want to keep it ad free. Plus it makes Chris feel very happy indeed! https://www.buymeacoffee.com/ChrisNewstead

Show info

Presenter: Chris Newstead

Theme: by SoundWorkLab, licensed through AudioJungle.

Recorded October 2021.

In this week's episode with chat with Italian-born singer Irene Serra.

She shares more about her journey to the UK via Copenhagen and Milan, settling in to jazz life in Hackney, developing her fabulous band ISQ and her creative influences including dance.

We discuss her upcoming album, remixing and listening to music and of course there's a quiz, top 3 album choices and a vocal addition to the house band. It's a lovely chat all round!

Irene's album recommendations include:

• Piano and A Microphone 1983 by Prince (2018) released by NPG/Warner Bros

• After Hours by Sarah Vaughan (1961) released on Roulette

• Post (1995) and Homogenic (1997) by Björk, both released on One Little Indian

Irene's website: www.irenaserra.com

Support

You can help support the podcast and keep us ad free. Especially useful if you’d like to support the podcast and want to keep it ad free. Plus it makes Chris feel very happy indeed! https://www.buymeacoffee.com/ChrisNewstead

Show info

Presenter: Chris Newstead

Theme: by SoundWorkLab, licensed through AudioJungle.

Recorded September 2021.