EFG London Jazz Festival 2023 - Jazz FM Recommends
Here's our annual rundown of the shows our presenters are recommending that you go and see at this year's festival
As the EFG London Jazz Festival takes over the capital once again from 10th to 19th November, take a look at our presenters' top picks and get booking!
EFG London Jazz Festival 2023 - Jazz FM Recommends:
Friday 10th November - Jazz Voice
China Moses says:
“I have the immense pleasure and honour in sharing the stage this year with other phenomenal artists such as Omar, Judi Jackson, Brendan Reilly, Vanessa Haynes, Emili Sande…and of course the Guy Barker Orchestra! He has made special arrangements of two of my original songs. One of them being from my upcoming album “It’s complicated…” coming out at the beginning of 2024.”
Friday 10th November - Tom Smith Big Band
Helen Mayhew says:
“Saxophonist Tom Smith is a fine big band composer too, and his band is packed with talented young musicians. They brought the house down at Ronnie Scotts last year, so expect plenty of musical surprises, humour, and maybe a whodunnit too!”
Saturday 11th November - Makaya McCraven & London Contemporary Orchestra: In These Times
Jez Nelson says:
“Makaya McCraven is steeped in the tradition of restless creativity that his home city of Chicago is so famed for in jazz. He’s also a stunning drummer and this collaboration with the London Contemporary Orchestra continues his relationship with a mother great city. Looks intriguing.”
John Osborne says:
“A drummer and much more who lives in the box marked “the coolest of jazz artists”. Always delivering incredible ideas and creations that will be a pure pleasure to witness live.”
Tony Minvielle says:
Chicago's favourite son and chief musical innovator, Makaya Mc Craven, rolls into town with his incredible ensemble for a night that promises to highlight why he is one of the most exciting musicians to come out of the US for a very long time.
Sunday 12th November - The Cookers
Jez Nelson says:
“A fantastic band which includes Cecil McBee, Eddie Henderson and the saxophone titan Billy Harper. If you haven’t seen The Cookers then cancel all other plans and get along.”
Sunday 12th November - Marcus Miller + Camilla George
John Osborne says:
“Just to see Marcus Miller slap his bass will be exceptional but to be appearing alongside one of London’s most gifted saxophonist makes this a gig not to miss.”
Sunday 12th November - Ife Ogunjobi
Tony Minvielle says:
"Hot on the heels of his Mercury Music Prize win with the Ezra collective, and his musical commitments with the stadium filling Burna Boy, this young trumpet phenom will hopefully be showcasing music from his debut EP 'Stay True'."
Monday 13th November - Cory Henry + Josh Barry
Rouhangeze says:
“I love Cory Henry’s skills in improvisation and 'gospelized' jazz style. The combination of jazz improv with funk, jam band styles, and influences from gospel and soul music is something I'd love to witness live.”
Monday 13th November - Hiromi’s Sonicwonder + Hiromi: The Piano Quintet
Sarah Ward says:
“Pianist and composer Hiromi is a wildly exciting player. She’ll light up the Barbican with a promise of new sonic wonders and jazz delights.”
Wednesday 15th November - Cécile McLorin Salvant
Helen Mayhew says:
“One of the finest jazz singers alive, this is a chance to marvel at and enjoy Cecile’s unique style and unusual song choices, packed with drama and delivered with breathtaking skill and style.”
Sarah Ward says:
“This is sure to be a spellbinding evening with one of the most adventurous contemporary vocalists Cecile McLorin Salvant weaving her voice around magical stories drawn from folk traditions, and you can bet she’ll let fly on jazz standards as well.”
Wednesday 15th November - Sissoko, Segal, Peirani and Parisien
Sarah Ward says:
I’ve been thrilled to hear the kora harp bringing West Africa’s ancient griot traditions into so much new music. This is a brilliant opportunity to catch kora master, Mali’s Ballake Sissoko with star French players Emile Parisien, Vincent Segal and Vincent Peirani.
Thursday 16th and Friday 17th November - Mayra Andrade 'reEncanto'
Rouhangeze says:
It’s fascinating how Mayra Andrade combines elements of Portuguese fado with African rhythms. However, her music also incorporates morna, pop, jazz, bossa nova and reggae elements. A must watch of the Festival!
Thursday 16th and Friday 17th November - Ron Carter "Foursight"
John Osborne says:
“It’s not often that you get the chance to enjoy a living legend in concert. So to see this 3 time grammy award winner and one of the most-recorded jazz bassist in history on stage makes this very special.”
Friday 17th November - JITR: Hejira - Celebrating Joni Mitchell
Helen Mayhew says:
“A must for fans of Joni Mitchell’s music, a band led by guitarist Pete Oxley and with the brilliant young singer Hattie Whitehead, this will be a real treat.”
Saturday 18th November - London Brew
Danielle Perry says:
“These musicians have been some of the roots of the UK jazz scene for a good while now and without them, we wouldn't have had such a golden age of jazz here in the UK. To see them working with an old Miles Davis staple will be mind-blowing.”
Sunday 19th November - The Symphonic Music of Wayne Shorter
Jez Nelson says:
“The recently released excellent 3-part Amazon Wayne Shorter biography shows the master at work on orchestral pieces that will be performed in this festival highlight. Alongside his quartet stalwarts - Danilo Perez and John Patitucci - will be Esperanza Spalding and Ravi Coltrane. A worthy tribute to one of the most important composers of the twenty and twenty first centuries.”
Sunday 19th November - Nikki Iles featuring the NDR Bigband
Helen Mayhew says:
“Nikki’s big band compositions are full of life and a constant delight, and she’s recently finished work on a new album of them, a collaboration with Hamburg’s NDR Big Band. This concert at Cadogan Hall will be a rare chance to see them all together, and it promises to be a wonderful evening.”
Sunday 19th November - Bill Laurance & Michael League
Rouhangeze says:
“The incredible Bill Laurance with the band leader of Snarky Puppy, which has grown from its jazz roots to blend genres including funk, R&B, soul, rock and pop. Together they have helped redefine modern jazz and the energy on stage will be truly special.”
Sunday 19th November - James Lavelle and Charlie Dark present Dusted
Tony Minvielle says:
"Two behemoths of the UK club scene unite for a night of proper musical niceness. Both these incredible producers, James (Unkle etc.) and Charlie (Attica Blues etc.), will show why they are still at the top of their game, as selectors, innovators and cultural griots, and why they have inspired so many to follow in their large footsteps. Expect a roadblock."