With the full programme confirmed for this year's EFG London Jazz Festival, which runs from 16 to 25 November, it's the festival's huge number of free concerts that are set to tempt in the wider public, with a dizzying range of international music, live radio broadcasts, panel discussions and workshops on offer.
There is already a sense of excitement in the air as opener Vels Trio's drummer Dougal Taylor brings their set of elegantly hip Hancock-esque minimal fusion to a simmering boil.
The 37th edition of what is a key date on the European jazz festival calendar does not want for ambition.
The old joke that the audience will have a chance to chat shortly – there's a bass solo coming up – is never further from reality than when Dave Holland's in the house.
The English music critic Richard Williams finished his three-year stint as Jazzfest Berlin's artistic director, handing the controls over to Nadin Deventer, who proceeded to boldly throw down her gauntlet for this and her next two festivals.
Alyn Shipton spoke to Pelin Opcin, the EFG London Jazz Festival's new head of programming, about the themes of openness, diversity and global awareness she's bringing to this year's event Following John Cumming as director of the EFG London Jazz Festival – well, those are big shoes to step into," says Pelin Opcin (pictured above left), the new head of programming.
Although several of his legendary predecessors met their maker while much younger the death of Roy Hargrove from a heart attack at the age of 49 is still a tragic event.
No one really noticed the quiet, contemplative figure who was sat listening to young pianist Charlie Stacey play an enthralling opening set at Ronnie's, yet bass titan Victor Wooten did just that.
With the first names still be announced for the 2019 edition of the Love Supreme Jazz Festival, which runs from Friday 5 to Sunday 7 July, the festival's organisers have announced a new monthly live music platform under the banner, Supreme Standards.
The seventh installment of the genre-busting Emulsion Festival is set to take place at the MAC in Birmingham on 2-3 November, featuring performances exploring the hinterland where improvisation and composition meet.
