When jazz was first promoted in the newly redeveloped Docklands area of London in the early 1990s the unfettered nature of the music was in stark contrast to the manicured corporate and rather soulless world that was growing all around as the towers of commerce rose in the sky and the multinationals moved in. Hearing James Blood Ulmer or Sam Rivers at Canary Wharf's Cabot Hall back in those days was a seriously weird experience. Fast forward 15 years and the area, with better transport links, a more mature residential and business base and a much more lived in feel, it's now a more congenial place for a jazz festival. 25.07.07

A jazz programme returns to St Cyprian’s church in Marylebone, central London on 13 March with the Mercury-nominated Zoe Rahman who is to appear with her quartet. Concerts are due every other Tuesday at the church which is well known for its acoustics and architectural beauty. The concerts are presented by go-ahead Basho Music. The season continues on 27 March with an album launch for drummer Asaf Sirkis’ Inner Noise, followed on 10 April by the Liam Noble Trio playing the music of Dave Brubeck, then a record launch for Chris Laurence’s New View album on 24 April, the Jason Rebello Trio on 8 May, Acoustic Traingle on 22 May, Iain Ballamy’s Anorak plus Thomas Stronen on 5 June, Tim Laphorn on 3 July launching new album Seventh Sense with other dates to be confirmed.
20.02.07

Pianist Zoe Rahman, who won Album Of The Year at the 2006 Parliamentary Jazz Awards and was also nominated for the Mercury Music Prize, has been added to this year’s Cheltenham Jazz Festival joining headliners Charles Lloyd and Bennie Maupin, who were exclusively announced in December’s Jazzwise. Bobby Wellins, Neil Cowley, Silje Nergaard, Gilad Atzmon and Emil Viklicky Trio have also been added to this festival that runs from 3-7 May and is held in association with BBC Radio 2 and sponsored by Jazzwise. For the first time there will be a new marquee venue in addition to the Town Hall Main Stage, Everyman Theatre, Town Hall Pillar Room, Subtone and The Daffodil while Gilles Peterson will be hosting a night at the University. This year’s artist in residence is Bob Brookmeyer who will be performing a special opening night concert with the BBC Big Band and Eliane Elias at the Town Hall on 3 May followed by a performance with his quintet on 5 May.  29.01.07

Zoe Rahman, who has won several awards before including a Perrier in 1999 and most recently a Parliamentary Award, has been nominated for this year's Mercury Music Prize for Melting Pot. 18.07.06

Last year saw a career high for pianist Zoe Rahman when she was Mercury nominated. Since then it has been a busy time for Zoe and she is about to embark on still more touring with a run of dates with her trio of Oli Hayhurst (bass) and Gene Calderazzo (drums) to include a UNICEF fundraiser at the Guildhall, London (29 March), Pizza Express Jazz Club, London (13,14 April), The Premises, London (21 April), Parliamentary Jazz Awards, London (24 April), the Drum, Birmingham (28 April), Cheltenham Jazz Festival (4 May), Philharmonic Hall, Liverpool (5 May), The Bardfield Centre, Essex (30 May), the Lights, Andover (14 June), QEH Theatre, Bristol (15 June), St Albans (16 June), Erin Arts Centre, Isle of Man (21 June), Chelsea Festival, London (23 June), Lichfield Jazz and Blues Festival (24 June) and Trinity Theatre, Tunbridge Wells (29 June). 20.03.07