Winner of the Parliamentary Jazz Award for Best Media, 2019

Jazz Album Reviews

Alison Rayner Quintet

SEMA4

A very worthy addition to an already impressive back catalogue

The Exu

The Exu

Jake Long

City Swamp

Dave Manington’s Riff Raff

Weightless

Nick Costley-White

Poncha

Josephine Davies & The Ensō  Ensemble

The Celtic Wheel of the Year Suite

elephant9 with Terje Rypdal

Catching Fire

Jazz Mann Recommended Listening

Lars Danielsson / Verneri Pohjola / John Parricelli

Trio

Relaxed and intimate this is an album that speaks quietly, but eloquently. This is a remarkably well balanced trio.

Hattie Whitehead

Bloom

“Bloom” sees her tackling subjects ranging from the political to the intensely personal and doing so with intelligence and conviction. Her singing is technically accomplished and undeniably beautiful.

Number Junky

Birak

For all its rhythmic complexities the music of Number Junky, led by guitarist Kristian Borring, remains eminently melodic and accessible and has the potential to appeal to a broad jazz listenership.

John Donegan - The Irish Sextet

We Will Meet Again, Sometime

Donegan’s writing is intelligent, accessible and sophisticated, a rare and impressive combination, and the standard of the playing from all the musicians involved is excellent throughout.

Live Jazz Reviews

Al Swainger’s Pointless Beauty

Al Swainger’s Pointless Beauty, Black Mountain Jazz, Melville Centre, Abergavenny, 29/03/2025.

Hanakiv / Marysia Osu

Hanakiv / Marysia Osu, Sy; Gigs, Unitarian Church, Shrewsbury, 29/03/2025.

Rob Luft

Rob Luft Quartet, Music Spoken Here, The Marr’s Bar, Worcester, 27/03/2025.

Léon Phal Quintet / Emile Londonien

Léon Phal Quintet / Emile Londonien, Stockfish, Nice, France, 21/03/2025.

Cheick Kouyaté, Julien Pérez and Davy Sur

Cheick Kouyaté, Julien Pérez and Davy Sur, La Trésorerie, Nice, France, 19/03/2025.

Mike Hall with the Alex Steele Trio

Mike Hall with the Alex Steele Trio, Corn Exchange Jazz Club, Corn Exchange, Ross-on-Wye, Herefordshire, 20/03.2025.

Jazz Mann Features

Double Bill Sunday at Black Mountain Jazz, Abergavenny featuring the Ross Hicks Trio “Three Elms” album launch and the Patrick Barrett-Donlon Quartet’s “Leading From The Back”.

Guest contributor Debs Hancock, with help from other audience members, on this double bill showcasing two distinctive performances by outstanding young jazz musicians based in Wales.

Fifth Annual Bath Jazz Weekend, Widcombe Social Club, Bath, Sunday 5th January 2025.

Ian Mann enjoys the final day of the Weekend and performances by Ribbons (Sara Colman & Rebecca Nash), Sarost (Mark Sanders, Paul Rogers, Larry Stabbins), and the Huw Warren / Angharad Jenkins Duo.

Jazz Mann News

NDR Bigband (Hamburg Radio Jazz Orchestra) begins 2025/2026 season with Nikki Iles as new Principal Conductor.

Friday, April 04, 2025

British bandleader, pianist & composer Nikki Iles will be the new Principal Conductor of the NDR Bigband from the 2025/26 season. She succeeds Geir Lysne & will lead the renowned ensemble for 2 yearse

The Drawing Room…After Dark, Mayfair, London - Listings for April and early May 2025

Wednesday, April 02, 2025

The Drawing Room...After Dark series of jazz events is curated by Liam Dunachi & Mátyás Gayer and takes place at Brown's Hotel in Mayfair, London. Press release with full listings attached

The Green Note, Camden Town, London - Newsletter 01/04/2025.

Tuesday, April 01, 2025

The Green Note has forwarded its latest newsletter with details of forthcoming musical events.

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Jazz Gigs & Events

Remi Harris Hot Club Trio at Kidderminster Jazz Club, St. Ambrose’s Parish Centre, Kidderminster, Worcs.

Friday, April 04, 2025

Chris Wood at Widcombe Social Club, Bath.

Friday, April 04, 2025

John Law’s Re-Creations “Many Moons” Tour at Progress Theatre, Reading, Berkshire.

Friday, April 04, 2025

Royal Albert Hall Young Producers present Soul Garden at The Elgar Room, Royal Albert Hall, London.

Saturday, April 05, 2025

Alice Leggett Quartet with guest Alex Hitchcock “Birdsong” at Shrewsbury Jazz Network, The Hive Music & Media Centre, Shrewsbury.

Saturday, April 05, 2025

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