Michael Wollny Trio, SFJAZZ Collective and Donny McCaslin added to EFG London Jazz Festival

Highly imaginative pianist Wollny has been in the ascendant for the last ten years since he first emerged with his explosive three-piece [em], but he’s since gone on to lead his own trio alongside stellar drummer Eric Schaefer and Swiss bassist Christan Weber, releasing two acclaimed albums, Weltentraum and Nachtfahrten, which the band translate into a dazzling, high-energy live show. They are set to appear at Kings Place on 21 November. The San Francisco-based SFJAZZ Collective bring their world-beating line up of saxophonists Miguel Zenón and David Sánchez, trumpeter Sean Jones, trombonist Robin Eubanks, vibist Warren Wolf, pianist Edward Simon, bassist Matt Penman and drummer Obed Cavaire to the festival to play their high-spirited take on the music of Michael Jackson at Cadogan Hall (14 November).

Saxophonist Donny McCaslin, known for his 1990s work with Steps Ahead (who are reforming this year) as well as his numerous solo albums, made a splash at last year’s festival as a member of Maria Schneider’s Orchestra, taking the roof off the Cadogan Hall with an incendiary solo and subsequently going on to receive global acclaim for his playing on David Bowie’s final album Blackstar. That haunting long-player also included members of McCaslin’s Group, who are set to bring their hard-hitting hook-laden sounds from his forthcoming new album at Rich Mix (15 Nov).

Other new additions include rising star West African kora player and singer Sona Jobarteh who performs her intoxicating vocal-led fusion (Rich Mix, 16 Nov) and electrifying jazz veterans The Cookers, who feature the likes of trumpeter Eddie Henderson, tenorist Billy Harper and bassist Cecil McBee (Cadogan Hall, 17 Nov). And following his sold out UK tours and headline concerts at Ronnie Scott’s and the Union Chapel, Snarky Puppy keyboardist Bill Laurance plays heavy Afrobeat and electronica-charged tunes from his latest album Aftersun at Shorditch Town Hall (20 Nov). Blue Note-signed trumpeter Ambrose Akinmusire is also set to make an appearance at Tunisian oud/vocal doyen Dhafer Youssef’s headline concert at the Barbican (19 Nov).

These names join those already announced by Jazzwise, who are festival media partners, and include Jazz Voice (Royal Festival Hall, 11 Nov); Norma Winstone at 70 (Cadogan Hall, 16 Nov); Robert Glasper Experiment Band (KOKO, 15 Nov); Marius Neset with the London Sinfonietta (LSO St Luke’s, 18 Nov); Bugge Wesseltoft/Beady Belle/Jazzland Residency (Kings Place, 18-19 Nov); Les Diaboliques (Kings Place, 19 Nov); Madeleine Peyroux (RFH, 20 Nov); Wayne Shorter Quartet (Barbican, 20 Nov); MCA Power Trio (Cadogan Hall, 19 Nov); Jan Garbarek Groupwith Trilok Gurtu (RFH, 13 Nov); Brad Mehldau and Joshua Redman Duo (Barbican, 12 Nov); Tord Gustavsen Trio with Simin Tander and Jarle Vespestad (Milton Court, 12 Nov); Dave Holland/Chris Potter/Lionel Loueke/Eric Harland(Cadogan Hall, 15 Nov); Lizz Wright (Cadogan Hall, 12 Nov) and Christian Scott (Scala, 16 Nov).

– Mike Flynn

For more info and tickets www.efglondonjazzfestival.org.uk