Articles by Andy Crowther
Ubunye: Tell Me The Truth Or Don't Tell Me Anything
by Andy Crowther
Ubunye's sophomore album on 33 Jazz Records is the provocatively titled “Tell Me The Truth Or Don't Tell Me Anything". In the words of band leader Dave Evans keyboards, “Our second album explores connection, to ourselves and to others, of going beyond the ego." It is an evolution of their refreshing and uplifting fusion of soul, jazz, and dance with the voice and rhythms of South Africa. Evans is joined once again by singers Xolani Mbatha and Nokuthula ...
Continue ReadingAl Foster, Mike Clark, Muriel Grossmann, Anmol Mohara and more
by Andy Crowther
Featuring Al Foster (with Chris Potter and Brad Mehldau), Mike Clark (with Patrice Rushen, Eddie Henderson and Henry Franklin!) and incredible young artists from around the world. Heavy on the saxophone this month, the women leading the charge. Playlist Awen Ensemble “Atgofion" from Atgofion (New Soil) 00:00 Levitation Orchestra “Imladris" from Sanctuary (Independent) 07:04 James Allsopp Group “Stars And Sand" from Stars And Sand (Impossible Ark) 13:47 Emma Rawicz “Marshmallow Tree" from Inkyra (ACT) 18:15 Dee Byrne featuring ...
Continue ReadingZahili Gonzalez Zamora: Overcoming
by Andy Crowther
Zahili Zamora's journey from Cuba to Boston via Southeast Asia is reflected in her aptly titled five-track album, Overcoming. A pianist, composer and now educator, she tackles her fears and difficult life experiences head-on in the work, through sound, emotion and rhythm. At 22 Zamora was in a high-calibre all-female band that toured often outside of Cuba, when on a whim the band decided to stay in Canada after performing there. The country offered far more freedom than ...
Continue ReadingJoe Alterman & Mocean Worker: Keep The Line Open
by Andy Crowther
The spirit of the late, great pianist Les McCann is revived and respected in Keep The Line Open from Mocean Worker (aka Adam Dorn) and Joe Alterman. Bassist-producer Dorn and pianist-composer Alterman are uniquely placed to record a tribute to their mentor and friend McCann. Dorn's father Joel worked with McCann at Atlantic Records producing classics such as Swiss Movement, then Adam himself formed a relationship with McCann over long phone conversations, even playing with him on tour. ...
Continue ReadingIncluding tunes heard, bought and artists featured at this year’s We Out Here Festival in the UK
by Andy Crowther
New material from International Anthem, Gary Bartz, Brian Jackson, plus tunes from Charles Stepney and other artists from this year's We Out Here festival in the UK. Playlist Rotary Connection “Memory Band" from Rotary Connection (Cadet Concept) 00:00 Makaya McCraven “Butterscotch" from In The Moment (International Anthem) 03:39 Ramsey Lewis “Julia" from Mother Nature's Son (Cadet) 06:27 Clifford Jordan “Eddie Harris" from Glass Bead Games (Strata-East) 10:47 The Harold Land / Blue Mitchell Quintet “Mapenzi" from Mapenzi (Concord) ...
Continue ReadingNew releases from around the world, for at home and the club
by Andy Crowther
Covers and originals from Japan, Hawaii, Brazil, Ethiopia, Finland and more. Into the club and on to the dancefloor in the second hour. Playlist Kyoto Jazz Sextet “Dosojin No Uta" from Dosojin No Uta EP (Lawson Entertainment Japan) 00:00 The Waitiki 7 “China Clipper" from Exotica Reborn (Waitiki International) 06:25 Roger Glenn “Zambo's Mambo" from My Latin Heart (Patois Records) 12:12 Eddie Daniels “Rio Vermelho" from To Milton With Love (Resonance Records) 18:31 Richard D. Johnson “1324 Broadway" ...
Continue ReadingCaelan Cardello, Chris Potter, YUCHTET, Azymuth and more
by Andy Crowther
Stunning forthcoming music from young pianist Caelan Cardello, a 16 minute live version of “500 Miles High" from Chris Potter and gang, Azymuth covering their own classic plus more Brazilian legends in the mix. Playlist YUCHTET “Song Of Hope" from Earworm (Future Imperfect) 00:00 Sam Dillon “Softly As In A Morning Sunrise" from My Ideal (Cellar Live) 08:26 Jimmy Greene “Praises" from As We Are Now (Greene Music Works) 16:23 Joe Farnsworth “Prime Time" from The Big Room ...
Continue ReadingDudley Moore, Don Cherry, Dizzy Gillespie, Black Jazz, Soul Note, Pablo Records and more...
by Andy Crowther
Recent reissues, discoveries and favourites from around the world. Playlist The Cannonball Adderley Quintet “Lisa" from Plus (Riverside) 00:00 Eric Kloss “You'd Be So Nice To Come Home To" from Love and All That Jazz (Prestige) 07:51 The Dudley Moore Trio “Amalgam" from The Dudley Moore Trio (Decca) 13:12 Jazz Crusaders “It's Gotta Be Real" from Lighthouse '69 (World Pacific Jazz) 17:05 Herbie Hancock “Jack Rabbit" from Inventions & Dimensions (Blue Note) 24:40 Joe Henderson “Bwaata" from Multiple ...
Continue ReadingBrick Lane Jazz Festival 2025—A Rookie's Review
by Andy Crowther
Various Venues Brick Lane Jazz Festival London April 25-27, 2025 The Brick Lane Jazz Festival is now in its fourth year, and although it has been on my radar for a while I've never made it. I've had very little excuse. The UK jazz scene is arguably the most invigorating on the planet. I don't live in London but fairly close in the county of Essex, and the festival's location is walkable from my ...
Continue ReadingSeveral Stunning Cover Versions Including Coltrane's "Alabama"
by Andy Crowther
A show as part of the International Jazz Day Celebrations, featuring several covers including “Maiden Voyage" from the stunning new album by the young pianist Hakan Basar, an astonishing version of “The Creator Has A Master Plan" with Tomoki Sanders on sax, a stirring take on Coltrane's “Alabama" from the “Live on Death Row" project, and a cumbia version of the Fela Kuti classic “Water No Get Enemy." Playlist Hakan Başar “Maiden Voyage" from Maiden Voyage (Red Records) ...
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