Charles Mingus’ Epitaph: A Unique Musical Vision
I had the pleasure recently of experiencing a truly remarkable performance of one of Charles Mingus’ greatest jazz works, Epitaph. Part of the Guildhall Jazz Festival 2022, this stunning set lasted over two hours…
Sven Klang’s Quintet: A Little Gem
Everywhere you turn these days there are lists. 100 Books to Read Before You Die. The 500 Greatest Albums of All Time. The 50 Best Travel Destinations. You get the idea. Hidden away amongst these lists you might find the 10 or 25 Best Jazz Films…
Sun Ra: Music Is a Plane of Wisdom
As Christmas fast approaches some of us may be wearying of the relentless stream of Yuletide tunes that dominate the airwaves. Some are truly great. Others are, how can I put it, downright awful.
Who Knows Where the Time Goes
Sometimes a song just hits that spot. Listening to the radio earlier, Nina Simone’s wonderful version of “Who Knows Where the Time Goes” came on. I was spellbound. And completely immersed in the moment.
Rahsaan Roland Kirk: Music Is a Beautiful Thing
Breaking the mould is a phrase often encountered when people talk about a paradigm shift in some sphere of human activity. Doing something, in other words, in a completely new or original way. And it’s become the phrase of choice for the vacuous, centrist politicians who periodically seek to challenge the political status quo. Usually resulting in their ignominious disappearance from the political firmament.
Nina Simone: An Artist's Duty Is to Reflect the Times
Every now and then a song comes along that defines an epoch. “Mississippi Goddam” by jazz and blues singer-songwriter Nina Simone was one such song.
Mercy, Mercy, Mercy! Or Why It’s All in the Groove
Any music fan will tell you that nothing beats the intensity and emotional charge of listening to live music. After all, before the good Mr Edison invented the phonograph in 1877, what else were we to do?
Remembering Dorothy Ashby: The Hip Harpist
The pedal harp isn’t normally associated with jazz. A standard orchestra instrument in the music of the Romantic era, it was re-invented for jazz in the 1950s by the late, great Dorothy Ashby. One of the unsung jazz pioneers, she demonstrated the harp’s potential in a lead or solo jazz context. Suddenly, it was possible to listen to bebop played on this unlikeliest of instruments.
Attica Blues: The Power of Music
In September 1971, the bloodiest prison riot that the United States has ever experienced took place at the Attica Correctional Facility in Attica, New York. Archie Shepp, one of the great American jazz saxophonists, was outraged by its brutal suppression. He quickly went on to record Attica Blues, one of his finest albums, in January 1972.