Things are hotting up for this year's 22nd edition of the Cheltenham Jazz Festival, which runs from 2 to 7 May, with the latest additions including leftfield US heavyweights and key UK names.
Vibrant vibes-led group Cloudmakers – the long-running trio featuring vibes maestro Jim Hart, bassist Michael Janisch and drummer Dave Smith – expand into a five-piece formation for a series of tour dates in support of their new album, Traveling Pulse, which is released on Whirlwind Recordings on 23 February.
Emerging Scottish saxophonist/bandleader Helena Kay (pictured) has been announced as the winner of the prestigious Peter Whittingham Jazz Award 2017 of £5,000.
Camden Town's revamped Jazz Cafe presents series of album playbacks and related live shows under the auspices of Colleen 'Cosmo' Murphy (pictured) and her Classic Album Sundays sessions banner.
Vilnius Mama Jazz is the younger sibling of the three-decades-old Vilnius Jazz Festival, which has carefully built a reputation for adventurous, improvisationally-based programming.
British saxophonist and bandleader Shabaka Hutchings and two of the bands he's associated with – Sons of Kemet (above) and Shabaka & The Ancestors – have signed to the iconic Impulse! label.
Trombonist Roswell Rudd, who lost his battle with cancer at the tailend of last year, will be remembered as a musician whose curiosity as well as virtuosity never deserted him.
The current wave of young UK jazz is showcased on a new compilation, We Out Here, released on Gilles Peterson's Brownswood label on 9 February 2018.
The absolute highlight of the Vilnius Mama Jazz festival was a meeting between two-thirds of the Ganelin Trio and the 13-piece Lithuanian Art Orchestra, presenting a very rare chance to witness these revered Russians in action.
Jazzwise daily news will return January 2018.
