Herbie Hancock, Terri Lyne Carrington and Art Ensemble of Chicago lead new names for EFG London Jazz Fest
Monday, May 20, 2019
The line-up for this year’s EFG London Jazz Festival is hotting up with the news that revered US pianist Herbie Hancock (pictured centre) is now confirmed as part of the citywide programme that runs from 15 to 24 November.
The show at the Barbican on 17 November will feature Hancock’s high-calibre touring band as a precursor to his milestone 80th birthday celebrations in 2020 – and perhaps, preview material from his long-awaited new studio album! Hancock is also set to perform a special orchestral collaboration with the LA Philharmonic under the baton of acclaimed conductor Gustavo Dudame (Barbican, 19 November).
Former Hancock band alumnus and multi-Grammy winning drummer/producer Terri Lyne Carrington (above left) is also added to the programme for a Kings Place residency on the first weekend of the festival (16 Nov). Featuring her Social Science band, Carrington will collaborate with a wide range of UK-based musicians under the banner of 'Experiments in London', preceded by a performance of music from her new album Waiting Game, which is due for release in October. Trumpeter Christian Scott aTunde Adjuah returns to the capital to play music from his latest electronically-charged album, Ancestral Recall (EartH, Hackney, 16 Nov) with support from vocalist Madison McFerrin (daughter of Bobby), while avant-jazz bass heavyweight Barry Guy premieres his stunning large ensemble suite The Blue Shroud, which is based on Picasso’s iconic painting ‘Guernica’ (Purcell Room, 16 Nov). There's also a chance to witness the full sensory splendour of the Art Ensemble of Chicago (above right) as they mark their 50th anniversary with an 18-piece formation at the Barbican (23 Nov).
Further shows include the all-star Ozmosys band of Omar Hakim, Rachel Z, Linley Marthe and Kurt Rosenwinkel (QEH, 16 Nov); ECM-signed Julia Hülsmann Quartet (Purcell Room, 17 Nov); Blow The Fuse’s 30th Birthday (Kings Place, 15 Nov); Swiss 'zen-funk' pianist Nik Bärtsch's audiovisual project, When The Clouds Clear, with visual artist Sophie Clements (Barbican, 15 Nov); Chicago-based spiritual jazz singer Angel Bat Dawid (Kings Place, 16 Nov) and jazz-influenced singer songwriter Corinne Bailey Rae (QEH, 18 Nov). Also now on-sale are concerts from fast-rising vocalist/violinist Alice Zawadzki (Kings Place, 19 Nov); YouTube jazz sensation Scott Bradlee's Postmodern Jukebox (RFH, 20 Nov) and renowned flautist Rowland Sutherland's celebration of the 50th anniversary of legendary folk band Pentangle's 1969 album Basket of Light (Purcell Room, 24 Nov). These shows join those already announced in Jazzwise, who are festival media partners.
– Mike Flynn
For full details and tickets visit www.efglondonjazzfestival.org.uk