By John Eyles
Once again, the dark evenings have descended on London. The early gloom of autumn is only relieved by the flashes (and booms) of Guy Fawkes fireworks. Hey, it must nearly be time for the London Jazz Festival!
This yearÃÂÃÂÃÂÃÂs LJF is the tenth, and its programme is even more adventurous and mouth-watering than the previous nine. The festival has its characteristic mix of big names from across the world coupled with innovative and inventive approaches to jazz. The festival always emphasises the global nature of jazz. This year, with star names from Scandinavia, Israel, Zimbabwe, Cuba, South Africa, Brazil, Algeria, Guadeloupe, Poland, Australia, Nigeria, Italy, Mali, Portugal, Turkey, the UK and USA, that is truer than ever.
Correspondents to ÃÂÃÂÃÂÃÂLondon CallingÃÂÃÂÃÂÃÂ often ask what Julian Joseph is up to. They will be delighted to know that he is one of the highlights of this yearÃÂÃÂÃÂÃÂs festival. On Saturday 16th November, he appears at the Royal Festival Hall. He will appear with his own trio, joined for the evening by hard bop sax legends Johnny Griffin and George Coleman. Joseph will also appear with the BBC Concert Orchestra and debut a new work commissioned by BBC Radio 3. Indeed, BBC Radio 3 is giving plenty of coverage of the festival. For more information, check out their website http://www.bbc.co.uk/radio3.
Wednesday 20th November sees a welcome return to London for The Necks. The Australian piano-bass-drums trio have radically redrawn the boundaries of what one should expect from that instrumentation. Their slowly evolving music has been called everything from ambient jazz to post-rock, but it is truly beyond categorisation. They produce unique, grippingly hypnotic, compelling soundscapes unlike anything heard elsewhere. This gig should help to further expand their ever-growing reputation.
As ever at the festival there are numerous lunchtime and early evening free events, ensuring that the festival neednÃÂÃÂÃÂÃÂt break the bank. On Sunday 17th, from 2pm until 6pm, the Freestage showcases acts from ScotlandÃÂÃÂÃÂÃÂs most exciting and innovative jazz label, Caber. Guided by the quirky vision of the Bancroft twins, Caber has lead a creative renaissance of Scottish jazz. The twinsÃÂÃÂÃÂÃÂ own Trio AAB, pianist Brian Kellock, Kevin Mackenzie and John RaeÃÂÃÂÃÂÃÂs Celtic Feet have all attracted heaps of critical praise in the past few years for their albums and their live performances. This is an unmissable opportunity to see all of them on one bill ÃÂÃÂÃÂÃÂ and itÃÂÃÂÃÂÃÂs free! Other free attractions include gigs by John Law & Martin Speake (lunchtime, Monday 18th), Howard Riley & Iain Ballamy (lunchtime, Thursday 21st) and the Deirdre Cartwright Group (lunchtime, Sunday 24th).
As well as innovations and rising stars, the LJF has always attracted star names and legendary performers. This year, the names of Sheila Jordan, Roy Hargrove, Stan Tracey, Brad Mehldau, Chris Potter, David Murray, Joe Lovano, and Roy Ayers give some idea of the festivalÃÂÃÂÃÂÃÂs strength in depth.
With over 100 events in ten days, the festival inevitably brings difficult choices. For me, Friday 22nd November is the day when I simply must be in two places at once. Tomasz Stanko is on the South Bank at the Purcell Room. The Polish trumpeter and his quartet continue to produce music of stark beauty, as evidenced by their recent album The Soul of Things.
Meanwhile, at the same time Courtney PineÃÂÃÂÃÂÃÂs tribute to John Coltrane is at the Barbican. Coltrane has long been one of PineÃÂÃÂÃÂÃÂs musical heroes, and this tribute is timed to celebrate the recent reissue of TraneÃÂÃÂÃÂÃÂs A Love Supreme. Courtney Pine will appear with his regular band plus special guests (to be announced)
This year, for many of us the climax of the festival will be the appearance of Lee Konitz on Sunday 24th November. Although he has earned his ÃÂÃÂÃÂÃÂliving legendÃÂÃÂÃÂÃÂ tag several times over, Konitz has never been one to rest on his laurels, and remains as fresh and creative as he was half a century ago. Konitz will play solo, in a duo with John Taylor on piano, in a trio with Peter Ind on bass and Dave Cliff on guitar, and in a specially created quintet.
As ever, this preview only scratches the surface of this rich and diverse festival. For more information, visit www.serious.org.uk for more information.
