Watford Jazz Junction

Chris reviews 4 gigs and a conversation that were held in the first half of this year's EFG London Jazz Festival (13-22 November 2020). All the gigs reviewed should still have their streams available to watch for free on the LJF website.

Using a complex scoring structure(!) Chris reflects on performances from Guy Barker's 'Jazz Voice', Jasdeep Singh Degun, Emile Parisien & Vincent Peirani, Harold López-Nussa and a powerful conversation between Kevin Le Gendre, Carleen Anderson and Orphy Robinson,

And since it was the presenters birthday when this podcast was recorded, there are a few (rarely to be repeated) clarinet interludes...

Look out for the next episode when we'll be in conversation with Faye MacCalman from free jazz specialists Archipelago.

No specific album recommendations but check out:

• Echo in the Bones by Renell Shaw (2020) - Prd. Renell Shaw. Available to watch on YouTube.

• Dread Beat an' Blood documentary (1979) - Dir. Franco Rossi. Available to watch from the BFI archives.

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Show info

Presenter: Chris Newstead.

Theme: by SoundWorkLab, licensed through AudioJungle.

Recorded 19 November 2020.

Chris is joined by jazz singer extraordinaire, Emma Smith.

Emma discusses being a jazz musician during lockdown, her new album and her song Monogamy Blues (featured), singing at Ronnie Scott’s and performing with the Puppini Sisters, her love of Ella Fitzgerald, chooses her 3 favourite albums of all time, and replaces a member of our house band!

Emma’s album listing includes:

• Swings Schubert Alley by Mel Tormé (1960) Prd. Russell Garcia. Released on Verve.

• Presenting Joe Williams and Thad Jones/Mel Lewis Jazz Orchestra (1966) Released on Solid State Records.

• West Side Story by Oscar Peterson (1962) Prd. Norman Granz. Released on Verve.

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.

Additional music: Monogamy Blues by Emma Smith & Jamie Safir. Available now. Released by Wingsor Castle Records.

Recorded 14 November 2020.

Chris explores all the gigs that are available at this year's London Jazz Festival (13-22 November 2020) and makes his recommendations for shows and acts not to be missed in this online, streamed and digital extravaganza of jazz!

There are 'look outs' for so many great acts including Guy Barker's 'Jazz Voice', Tigran Hamasyan, Mornington Lockett, Jazz Plus Ensemble, Shabaka Hutchings, Tomorrow’s Warriors, Kevin Le Gendre, Carleen Anderson and Oprhy Robinson, Tina Edwards, Shri, Seed Ensemble, Glasshopper, Toni Kofi, Gary Crosby, Abel Selaocoe, Yazz Ahmed, Judi Jackson, Binker Golding and Baba ZuLa and İlhan Erşahin.

And if that's not enough there's also a tasty confectionery theme throughout!

Look out for the next episode when we'll be in conversation with some of the artists.

Recommended and selected album listing:

• Universal Beings by Makaya McCraven (2018). Prd. Makaya McCraven. Released on International Anthem.

• The Call Within by Tigran Hamasyan (2020). Released on Nonesuch.

• Istanbul Sessions (Solar Plexus) by İlhan Erşahin (2018). Released on Wrasse Records 000.

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 10 November 2020.

Miles Ashton - sound director at Ronnie Scott's Jazz Club - looks back over a lifetime in live jazz.

His stories include Amy Winehouse's first ever gig in front of a live audience, being hired by Ronnie Scott & Pete King, and touring with Shri Sriram.

He also chooses the inaugural line-up for our podcast's fantasy house band!

Miles's album listing includes:

• The Nightfly by Donald Fagan (1982) Prd. Gary Katz. Released on Warner Bros.

• Heavy Weather by Weather Report (1977) Prd. Joe Zawinal, Jaco Pastorius, Wayne Shorter. Released on Colombia.

• The Atomic Mr Basie by Count Basie and his Orchestra (1958) Prd. Teddy Reig. Released on Roulette.

• Shadows and Light by Joni Mitchell (live album (1980). Prd. Joni Mitchell. Released on Asylum.

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 5 November 2020.

A look forward to the Watford Jazz Junction - a new festival of jazz and more - coming to Watford in 2021. We also discuss what else we'll cover in future episodes relating to jazz and lots of musical junctions.

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 1 November 2020.