Sylvie + Ursula – ‘New Eve’
Sylvie Noble and bassist Ursula Harrison debut as the duo Sylvie + Ursula with the album “New Eve.” The nine‑track, half‑hour record showcases original compositions that blend deadpan wry lyrics with adventurous vocal lines and supple bass work. Their chemistry produces a fluid, improvisational sound that stands out among contemporary jazz vocal releases. Harrison’s recent win as the 2024 BBC Young Jazz Musician adds further credibility to the collaboration.
Ernest Ranglin – a Celebration on Int. Jazz Day 2026
On International Jazz Day 2026, the Royal Albert Hall’s Elgar Room will host a tribute to 93‑year‑old Jamaican guitarist Ernest Ranglin, a seminal figure in the birth of ska and reggae. The concert is presented by the Hall in partnership...
Geoffrey Smith (1943-2026) – A Tribute
Geoffrey Smith, the long‑time BBC Radio 3 presenter famed for his jazz programmes, died in April 2026. Known for his gentle, erudite voice and signature greetings like “hell…o…” and “good…bye,” he became a Saturday‑afternoon staple for millions of listeners. Colleagues recall...
Marta Sánchez – ‘For the Space You Left’
Marta Sánchez’s new solo album “For the Space You Left” assembles prepared‑piano works drawn from two distinct periods: a 2017 residency aimed at conquering solo‑performance anxiety and a 2020 lockdown challenge to compose a piece each week. The pieces juxtapose...
Terence Blanchard – ‘A Requiem for Katrina’
Terence Blanchard’s *Requiem for Katrina* received its first UK performance, joining his jazz quintet with the London Philharmonic Orchestra. The 13‑piece suite, originally scored for Spike Lee’s 2006 documentary, blends personal grief with a celebratory tribute to New Orleans. Conductor Daniela...
Jazz and Beyond… 2026 Proms Programme Announced
The BBC has unveiled its 2026 Proms season, spotlighting a robust slate of jazz‑centric concerts alongside its classic orchestral offerings. Highlights feature a Miles Davis centenary tribute with trumpeter Ambrose Akinmusire, a live ’Round Midnight’ show of John Coltrane’s music, and...
Lorenz Okello-Osengor, Taz Modi, Mahya Mahroomi at Daylight Music
Daylight Music celebrated its 403rd lunchtime concert, featuring three distinct pianists who pushed the boundaries of the instrument. Mahya Mahroomi delivered a solo program of Satie and contemporary Iranian works, highlighting Persian rhythmic influences. Taz Modi, joined by violinist Phoebe...
Mondays with Morgan: Harry Skoler – New Album ‘Echoes’
Clarinetist Harry Skoler’s seventh album, Echoes, drops on May 1 as the inaugural release of his Red Brick Hill label. The record pairs Skoler with guitarist Bill Frisell, bassist Dezron Douglas and drummer Johnathan Blake, recording most tracks in first takes....
Martin Phillips – ‘Keith Tippett MUJICIAN – The Authorised Biography’
Martin Phillips has released an authorized biography of pioneering British jazz pianist Keith Tippett, titled "Mujician," in a limited‑edition hardback of 328 pages. The book, limited to 1,000 copies and priced at £25 (≈$32), combines thematic chapters, a comprehensive discography,...
Ezra Collective at Colour Factory
Ezra Collective staged an intimate fan‑only concert at Colour Factory, celebrating a decade since their debut EP. The event, co‑hosted with Jazz Re:freshed, highlighted the band’s gratitude to youth organisations like Tomorrow’s Warriors that nurtured their early career. Guest appearances...
Tomasz Chyła Quintet – ‘It’s Not a Fake, It’s a Replica’
Polish jazz ensemble Tomasz Chyła Quintet releases new album “It’s Not a Fake, It’s a Replica,” blending heavy rock influences with jazz improvisation. The record spotlights guitarist Krzysztof Hadrych’s dynamic riffs and solos, while violinist Chyła and trumpeter Emil Miszk...
Nominations Now Open for 2026 Parliamentary Jazz Awards
The All‑Party Parliamentary Jazz Group has opened public nominations for the 2026 Parliamentary Jazz Awards. Submissions close at midnight on Friday 15 May, and the ceremony will be held on 13 October 2026 at the World Heart Beat venue in London. The...
Alcyona Mick & Liam Noble – ‘Distant Plains’
Alcyona Mick and Liam Noble released *Distant Plains*, a seven‑track album of two‑piano improvisations recorded under the direction of activist artist Penny Rimbaud. The project draws on Leonard Bernstein’s recording of Holst’s *The Planets* as a stimulus, prompting the pianists...
Winners at the Jazz FM Awards 2026
The Jazz FM Awards 2026 took place at KOKO in Camden, honoring top talent across public‑vote and main categories. Fergus McCreadie captured Album of the Year for "The Shieling," while Emma Rawicz was named UK Jazz Act of the Year. Other highlights include...
‘The Köln Concert’ by Maki Namekawa & Thomas Enhco
Last Saturday the Barbican hosted a rare live rendition of Keith Jarrett’s legendary *Köln Concert*, featuring pianists Maki Namekawa and Thomas Enhco. Namekawa opened with Part I, following the painstaking 1991 transcription and delivering near‑perfect technical precision. Enhco then tackled the 33‑minute Part II entirely...