Keyboardist Bill Laurance, who rose to prominence with Grammy Award-winning groove-merchants Snarky Puppy, is set to tour the UK once again as his solo career builds momentum outside the band.
This year's Cheltenham Jazz Festival, which runs from 26 April to 1 May, has confi rmed a fi nal tranche of exciting artists for its six-day programme.
Over the last decade or so, Cafe OTO has secured an impressive hit rate of presenting bona fide free jazz originators from across the pond – but the Art Ensemble Of Chicago have remained a stubborn fixture at the top of the want list.
Leading UK saxophonist Julian Siegel is set to unveil his most ambitious project to date in 2017 when he debuts his newly-formed Jazz Orchestra, whose 19-piece line-up features a wide-range of top British jazz talent for a six date UK tour in March.
Hard-blowing New York-based saxophonist Tim Armacost kicks off his European tour in style with two Late Shows at Ronnie Scott's, London (6 and 7 February) in support of his new album, Time Being, which is released on Whirlwind Recordings on 24 February.
Brighton Alternative Jazz Festival and Dictionary Pudding productions have made an inspired connection, pairing Michigan's ornery noise-niks Wolf Eyes with British improv pioneers saxophonist Trevor Watts and keys conquistador Veryan Weston, who'll be performing in their Quantum Illusion guise.
Saxophonist Tim Garland will reunite with his former partner in Celtic jazz group Lammas, Don Paterson on the guitarist's Scottish gigs with his new band, the Don Paterson Situation during February.
The monthly Jazz in the Round session, which has run since 2012 and is hosted by Jazz FM DJs Jez Nelson and Chris Philips, kicks off the new year with two stellar triple bills.
The unexpected early November snowfall created a festive backdrop for the genuine bonhomie of Tampere Jazz Happening in Finland.
There are some exciting additions to the 2017 Cheltenham Jazz Festival, which runs from 26 April to 1 May, with multi-Grammy Award-winning jazz diva Dee Dee Bridgewater set to appear at Cheltenham Town Hall on Thursday 27 April.
