Jazz Articles about James McMillan

About James McMillan

Album Review

Rachael Calladine Quintet: Soho Elegy

Read "Soho Elegy" reviewed by Neil Duggan

by Neil Duggan
September 14, 2026

Singer Rachael Calladine returns with Soho Elegy, a release that marks a significant step forward from her previous album, The Game (33 Jazz, 2025), which drew primarily on jazz standards. Here, Calladine turns the spotlight towards original material, with a collection of songs written by her long-standing collaborators, pianist Dr. Adrian York and guitarist Pat McCarthy, alongside two compositions of her own. Calladine is joined by her regular rhythm section of bassist Andy Tytherleigh and drummer Simon Potts, while James McMillan ...

Album Review

Sarah L King: The Light Ahead

Read "The Light Ahead" reviewed by Neil Duggan

by Neil Duggan
March 12, 2026

Sarah L. King follows up her assured debut album, Fire Horse (ECN Music, 2024), with The Light Ahead. She maintains the format of the first album, mixing cover versions with eight of her own compositions. There is a clear shift in the tone of this release, with the focus being far more optimistic and celebratory. “I wanted to write something uplifting," says King. “All that matters is today -let's focus on that. Stop longing, stop wondering. Just be, and enjoy." ...

Album Review

Ross Lorraine: More From The Heart

Read "More From The Heart" reviewed by Neil Duggan

by Neil Duggan
July 30, 2024

A jazz pianist, arranger, theatre music composer and contributor to numerous other projects, Ross Lorraine now seems to have found his true calling as a songwriter. More From The Heart follows on from his songwriting debut on Heart of Mine (self produced, 2022) and follows a similar approach. After penning the lyrics and melody, Lorraine steps aside and a variety of top-class vocalists perform his compositions, together with a cracking band that elevates the songs and brings them to life. ...

Album Review

Sarah L King: Fire Horse

Read "Fire Horse" reviewed by Neil Duggan

by Neil Duggan
January 27, 2024

Starting her musical path with coaching from Mike King, one of the UK's leading contemporary vocal coaches, Sarah L King (no relation), surfaced as a solo jazz vocalist, releasing an EP of standards and several singles. Her passage was helped by a family heritage consisting of an accomplished jazz trumpeter father and an orchestral conductor grandmother. An early career as a writer and director of short films provided the right impetus to be a compelling musical narrator. King's ...