While you can listen to live jazz anytime of the year, November is when the genre really gets into full swing….
That’s because the EFG London Jazz Festival is back once again to bebop its way through town for ten days spanning the 10th-19th of November. The festival (turning a healthy 31 this year) is your one-stop-shop for all sounds smooth and blue, and is set to take over every live venue in the capital that can get behind a good jam session (concert halls, basement bars, theatres and clubs, you name it…).
As always the organisers have dug far and wide to assemble a formidable lineup. Jazz musicians and bands both old and new, firmly established and on their way up, local and international, will be on show. Truth be told, it all looks rosy, wherever you decide to lend your ears, but in any case we’ve drawn a few highlights out of the hat to help give an idea…
Judi Jackson – casually nabbing vocalist of the year at the 2020 Jazz FM awards, Judi Jackson has since sold out a London tour and been a regular feature on BBC Radio 2.
Aynur – if you’ve never heard Kurish music, now’s the time. Aynur combines traditional melodies with modern Western beats, and she’ll be showcasing her unique style at the Royal Festival Hall.
Scary Pockets – If you’ve never heard of Scary Pockets, fear not. You’ll likely be asked to join the band at some pint – particularly of you happen to be a excellent jazz musician. They’ve collaborated with 200+ artists so far, and created a quarter of a billion views on YouTube.
Norah Jones – You know this one. Nine Grammys. Fifty million album sales. Six billion songs streamed. Norah is a bona fide legend in her own lifetime, and she’s showing up for the jazz fest to remind us all why.
Emeli Sandé – Easily one of the brightest, shiniest, newest stars in the constellation of jazz singers, Emeli Sandé had the UK’s biggest selling album of the year back back in 2012.
Of course, the festival isn’t starting quietly and on opening night (Friday the 10th) there’s going to be a gala at Royal Festival Hall curated by London’s very own legendary composer Guy Barker. He’ll be conducting eight vocalists including Emeli Sandé, Clarke Peters, China Moses, Omar, Brendan Reilly, Naomi Banks, Judi Jackson, and Vanessa Haynes.
It’s sure to set the tempo…
NOTE: The EFG is going down between the 10th-19th November at various venues across London. You check the schedule, read bios and buy tickets on their website here.
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