The summer is nearly upon us. Exams will be finished, and the weather will warm up. It’s the perfect opportunity to head out into the city, grab a few drinks and soak up some amazing music in these care-free evenings. Here at jazzplus HQ we’ve done the digging on what’s on this summer so you don’t have to. You can thank us later.
May
Act fast to get in on everything going on in these last 2 weeks of the month.
28.05.16 Jacob Collier Village Underground, London
http://www.villageunderground.co.uk/events/jacob-collier
“jazz music’s new Messiah” brings his one-man show to Shoreditch, ahead of his hotly anticipated album release in July. If you miss this, don’t worry – there’s plenty more J-Coll to come!
29.05.16 Eglo Records Bank Holiday Special Corsica Studios, SE17
http://www.facebook.com/events/611178255700477/621727597978876/
Two rooms of jazz/house/soul/hip hop. DJs from around the world. Not to be missed!
31.05.16 Mike Westbrook and Company St Ives Jazz Club, Cornwall
http://www.westbrookjazz.co.uk/mikewestbrook/bigband/
Mike Westbrook is something of a legend in British jazz. His debut album with his ‘concert band’ Celebration (it’s good, we’ve got it on vinyl) fused Coltrane and Mingus-esque sounds to spark a revolution in British large ensemble jazz writing. Westbrook’s Metropolis album features Kenny Wheeler on mellophone. Nice. 2016 sees him touring with his A Bigger Show. If you missed them at Kings Place, head down to the Cornish Riviera for a barn-stomping gig!
31.05.16 Misha Mullov-Abbado Spotted Dog, Birmingham
http://www.evensi.uk/misha-mullov-abbado-quintet-jazz-at-the-spotted-dog/178013231
Misha, who released his debut album to critical album on the Edition label last year, is on tour with his quintet. Featuring Tom Green on trombone (his album Skyline is well worth a listen), and Scott Chapman on drums. There’s a jam session afterwards.
June
Phronesis are currently promoting their latest album, which culminates in a launch gig at Cadogan Hall. Other gigs from them include
10.06.16 Wiltshire Music Centre, Bradford on Avon
12.06.16 Cadogan Hall, London
14.06.16 Band on the Wall, Manchester
Make sure you check out their interview with LondonJazzNews.
http://www.londonjazznews.com/2016/05/tour-preview-interview-phronesis.html
25.06.16 Efpi Festival Kings Place, London
http://www.facebook.com/events/1243586165666616/
Ben Cottrell, the man behind Beats and Pieces Big Band, brings his Manchester based label down to London to party. An awesome line up of Let Spin, the Johnny Hunter Quartet, and the all powerful Beats and Pieces Big Band. The only gig this summer with a strict 7.30pm start time!
July
03.07.16 Gogo Penguin – Love Supreme Love Supreme Jazz Festival, East Sussex
09.07.16 – 10.07.16 Sunfall: a new festival for London
http://www.facebook.com/events/974557445916733/
This 2 day festival looks amazing. There is a staggering line up already confirmed for the Day sessions, including Jamie xx, Kamasi Washington and Yussef Kamaal Trio.
10.07.16 Jacob Collier (with Jamie Cullum and friends) Greenwich Music Time
http://www.greenwichmusictime.co.uk/book-tickets/jamie-cullum
Fresh from the Love Supreme, Montreux and North Sea Jazz Festivals, J-Coll is back in London playing at this niftily named festival, set in the gorgeous surroundings of the Old Royal Naval College. He’ll be performing on stage with Jamie Cullum, now famed for his brilliant Tuesday night Radio 2 slot.
That’s all for now! We’ll keep this updated throughout the summer with more gig picks.