Manchester provided the backdrop to the twelfth triumphant instalment of the recent Manchester Jazz Festival. Jazz and its inter-connectedness with world roots music dominated, illustrated by Neil Yates' New Origins group exploring Celtic-Iberian connections. Meanwhile the evocative playing of The Chosen, Sylvan Richardson's latest project, fused classical, jazz and Middle Eastern sounds. Tango and jazz were once considered uncomfortable bedfellows, but Tango Siempre impressively continue the classic repertoire, weaving in contemporary influences from Pablo Zeigler to Goldfrapp. Defying a gusty wind, their performance and latest CD, Tangents make for essential listening.
There are many bands that claim to be All Stars but very few have the combined credits and talent of this outfit. Led by former Incognito keyboard player Harvey, the quintet also featured some of the finest (and busiest) players on the UK jazz scene saxophonist Ben Castle, trombone virtuoso Mark Nightingale (pictured), top jazz bass guitarist Laurence Cottle and last minute drum dep (for Ian Thomas) Matt Skelton.
Jazzwise is once again collaborating with the London Jazz Festival, in association with BBC Radio 3, to build on the success of The Write Stuff initiative for aspiring new music writers. Now in its fifth year the scheme offers the opportunity to work with professional journalists to improve their writing skills, receive insights into career paths and develop an understanding of jazz criticism – as well as getting to go to lots of concerts!