In Michael Chabon’s 2012 novel Telegraph Avenue, the fictitious jazz guru Cochise Jones is tragically killed when his Hammond organ slips out of the boot of his car and squashes him.
One of the biggest French summer Festivals enjoyed the hottest weather for many years and as a result massive crowds enjoyed the predominantly outdoor venues from lunchtime to the early hours of the morning.
Soweto Kinch’s gig is nearing its climax when he finds himself playing between two implacable walls.
As Ramon Valle explains, the Ritmi in the title of this excellent festival in the small but utterly charming Latvian capital means rhythm and the programming remains true to that criterion in this 15th anniversary edition of the event.
Swanage’s format is well-established and well-understood.
Thomas Rees is swept away by glamour, history and stand out performances from Jason Moran, Avishai Cohen, Justin Kauflin, Lorenz Kellhuber, and D’Angelo’s band of jazz heavyweights at this year’s Montreux Jazz Festival There’s something otherworldly about Montreux.
It’s been a scant 18 months since Ant Law played this venue to a handful of rapt guitar enthusiasts, and the intervening time has been fruitfully employed; he’s published a book, released an album (Zero Sum World) with pianist du jour Ivo Neame that’s on display in the Whirlwind catalogue alongside the latter’s own release, and can list Tim Garland, Jason Rebello and Trio HSK among recent collaborators.
Each visit there are switcheroos at the goliath Montreal Jazz Festival, this year in its 36th incarnation.
A meeting of the world’s greatest rhythm section, two progressive soloists and a producer raises the prospect of a night of instrumental groove glory.
Although the concert hall experience is a major part of any contemporary jazz festival worth its salt there is a lot to be said for the sessions that pepper the smaller venues in a given city.
