Articles by Andy Crowther
Tunes released on and inspired by Record Store Day, plus International Jazz Day flavours
by Andy Crowther
Music from Cuba, Argentina and Brazil, with a sprinkling of Andalucian vibes. New sounds from Emmet Cohen, Flea, Gary Bartz, plus Record Store Day highlights from Buster Williams and Charles Tolliver. Playlist Rob Garcia's Sizzle Ensemble “Maiden Voyage" from Sizzle Ensemble (Connection Works) 00:00 Emmet Cohen “Well You Needn't" from Universal Truth (Mack Avenue) 04:59 Mark Wade Trio “Iberia" from Stages (Dot Time) 10:27 Charles Tolliver “Earl's World" from Right Now... And Then (Strata East) 19:00 Juan Pablo Torres ...
Continue ReadingBrick Lane Jazz Festival 2026
by Andy Crowther
Various Venues Brick Lane Jazz Festival London April 24-26, 2026 2026 was the 5th edition of The Brick Lane Jazz Festival, and once again featured a variety of jazz-leaning acts from across the musical spectrum. There was a strong focus on young, mainly UK-based and often unsung artists, plus a smattering of fully qualified legends of the scene. Weekend passes had sold out, astonishing value at £150 to see over 100 acts. As always, choosing ...
Continue ReadingRoberto Di Gioia: Web Web - Kover Kover
by Andy Crowther
Web Web are a “German supergroup" releasing mostly their own material on the jny: Munich-based Compost Records. All are heavily influenced by the spiritual sounds of the legendary Black Jazz and Strata East labels, the grooves of ethio-jazz, and the more experimental kraut-rock leanings of bands like Embryo. But their 2025 album Plexus Plexus tellingly included a cover of Moondog's “Bird's Lament." April 2026 sees the release of Kover Kover, where the band cover 14 songs for a whole album ...
Continue ReadingWojtek Mazolewski Quintet at the Jazz Cafe
by Andy Crowther
Wojtek Mazolewski Quintet Jazz Cafe jny:London February 11, 2026 It was a wet Wednesday night in London, and the sign outside the Jazz Cafe reads, “Tonight: Fearless contemporary jazz--Wojtek Mazolewski Quintet." The scene recalls a sketch in the surrealist British comedy show The Mighty Boosh, where Howard accuses his colleague of fearing jazz: the lack of rules, the lack of boundaries. It's a hilarious piece, where Howard has to be snapped out of a jazz ...
Continue ReadingPat Metheny, George Coleman! Vocals from Jose James and Gregory Porter. Deep UK music and jazz-funk
by Andy Crowther
New music from around the world, including an 89 years young George Coleman. Lots of guitar this month, from elder statesman and upcoming stars. Free music from vocalist Jose James paying tribute to John Coltrane. A selection of recent vinyl digs, Brazilian vibes from Denmark, and UK jazz-funk legends, Shakatak. Playlist Attilio Zanchi Septet “Charles Blues (Live)" from Mingus Portrait--Live at Nišville (Right Tempo) 00:00 Ingrid Jensen “Amsterdam after Dark feat. George Coleman" from Landings (Newvelle) 03:15 Harold ...
Continue ReadingUbunye: 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) ...
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