Black Top
8
Fri 15 November
RenÉ Marie
PizzaExpress Jazz Club 7.30pm and 10.30pm (two performances)
Electrifying and lifeenhancing, René Marie draws together jazz, soul, gospel and Americana in a powerfully personal statement - an artist of rare honesty and commitment and one of today’s most individual voices, winner of the Rising Star Vocalist award in Downbeat. Stan Sulzmann’s Neon Orchestra + Brass Jaw Southbank Centre/ Purcell Room 7.45pm
Stan Sulzmann celebrates his 65th birthday with a specially formed big band, featuring soloists who span some five decades of British jazz. At the forefront of European contemporary jazz since the 1960s, both as saxophonist and gifted composer, Sulzmann is a source of inspiration to many of Britain’s emerging young musicians. Brass Jaw’s threesaxophones-and-atrumpet line-up is guaranteed to raise the spirits - entertaining and witty as well as musically adventurous, the quartet have travelled the world and won multiple awards. ‘Powerful, affecting, superbly played’ (The Scotsman)
Enrico Pieranunzi + Julie Sassoon
Bishopsgate Institute 8pm
Italian pianist and composer Enrico Pieranunzi leads a terrific trio - Enzo Zirilli and Geoff Gascoyne. In a career studded with landmark collaborations – Chet Baker, Paul Motian, Lee Konitz are just a few - his playing is intensely lyrical, while swinging with energy and freshness. ‘Remember his name, get lost in his music.’ (Jazz Times). Pianist/composer Julie Sassoon plays an opening set drawn from the music on her most recent solo recording Land of Shadows. ‘Music of rare beauty’ (Jazzwise). George Crowley Band + Kaz Simmons Green Note 8pm
Hot off the heels of his début album Paper Universe, George Crowley leads a quartet featuring pianist Dan Nicholls that takes full advantage of his skills both as saxophonist and as a writer of strongly melodic, original themes. Singer/songwriter Kaz Simmons and band support with an intimate and lyrical jazz/folkinspired set.
Cafe OTO 8pm
PEDRITO MARTINEZ artsdepot 8pm
Utterly joyful and completely addictive latin sounds from New York. Havana-born percussionist Pedrito played with the much loved Cuban/afrobeat band Yerba Buena, and with artists as wide-ranging as Sting, Bebo Valdes and Joe Lovano – and he made a huge impact when he guested with Wynton Marsalis and the Jazz at Lincoln Center Orchestra in London last summer with his astonishing pianist Ariacne Trujillo. ‘complex, blenderized, Africa-to-theNew-World funk’ (The New York Times).
Black Top is back for two special nights. Founded by Pat Thomas (piano/ electronics) and Orphy Robinson (vibes) and featuring guest American saxophonist Marco Eneidi, the ad hoc Black Top series is dedicated to exploring the intersection of live improv and the technology of dub, reggae and other worldly noises. Also on Sat 16 November.
London Vocal Project + Albert Hera Forge 8.30pm
Pete Churchill’s hugely versatile improvising choir keeps exploring new ground, here inviting the astonishing Italian ‘sound teller’, a cappella improviser Albert Hera, in an evening of vocal exploration with one set of completely spontaneous Circlesongs and a set of Vocal Project classics and new material.
Down To The Bone Hideaway 9pm
Fri 15 November
DTTB’s trademark style is infectious grooves, hooky riffs and head-nodding rhythms, so be ready to hit that floor and dance to fuel-injected jazz/funk of the highest order. And once the band are spent, the night continues with a DJ set of funky grooves from band founder Stuart Wade and co-DJ Jazz John.
9
Krar Collective by Jacob Crawfurd
Submotion Orchestra KOKO 8pm
Submotion Orchestra is a live seven-piece project from Leeds, incorporating deep bass-driven grooves and dense textures in their progressive live dubstep sound. Founded by members of the Gentleman’s Dub Club, the Submotion crew put on one of the finest sets at the last Soundwave Festival out in Croatia, and are now poised to take over London with their infectious rumbling basslines, Ruby Wood’s silky vocals and their affecting jazz and ska influenced arrangements. Don’t sleep! Andy Davies’ Bop Shop Spice of Life 8pm
Welsh trumpeter Andy Davies fires on all cylinders with a hard bop quintet playing out of the classic mould of Lee Morgan, Freddie Hubbard, Joe Henderson and Cedar Walton.
Krar Collective AND Akalé Wubé Rich Mix 9pm
Township Comets Vortex 8.30pm
The Township Comets play the searing, joyous music of South African saxophonist Dudu Pukwana, the extrovert South African saxophonist who took the UK and European scene by storm in the 70s and 80s. Featuring vocalist Pinise Saul, the Queen of South African Jazz, the Comets line-up includes renowned London-based musicians Chris Batchelor (trumpet), Jason Yarde (saxophone), Adam Glasser (piano) and Frank Tontoh (drums).
Sandy Sucholdolski
Polish Jazz Café POSK 9pm
Young bass player Sandy Sucholdolski is one to watch – a key member of the National Youth Jazz Orchestra, his bass playing has been heard with artists ranging from Digby Fairweather and Alan Barnes to Gilad Atzmon and Trish Clowes. Here he performs with his trio in a set inspired by Oscar Peterson.
Funked-up Ethiopian roots band Krar Collective invite Parisian jazzers Akalé Wubé and their groovy retro Golden Age sound to make their UK début. Annbjørg Lien and Roger Tallroth Kings Place 9.30pm
One of Norway’s greatest Hardanger fiddle players, Annbjørg Lien, is joined by the eminent Swedish guitarist Roger Tallroth. Rich and diverse colours, vibrant energy and a sense of space that evokes Nordic landscapes and rich folk traditions. Part of Scene Norway 2.
Nina Ferro with Imaani 606 Club 9.30pm
Featuring two of the very best vocalists around performing an incredible selection of soul, groove and R&B. Imaani has worked with the likes of Gloria Gaynor, Michael Bolton, Lulu and Beverley Knight and is best known as the lead singer with Incognito. Nina Ferro has performed all over the world with artists including Tony Bennett, Jose Feliciano, Ricky Martin, Chick Corea and David Sanborn.
JAZZ ON 3 LAUNCH Ronnie Scott’s 10.30pm FREE
Jez Nelson hosts the now traditional show that kicks off the festival, broadcast live from Ronnie Scott’s, featuring interviews and sets from festival artists. The event is free but tickets are essential. For more details on how to apply, visit bbc.co.uk/ tickets/ This event will be broadcast live on Jazz on 3 from 11pm.