More names announced for EFG London Jazz Festival

The EFG London Jazz Festival has announced a second wave of artists appearing this November.

A raft of vocalists have been added including Melody Gardot at the Royal Festival Hall, another in the EFG Excellence Series. Rising star American jazz singer Cécile McLorin Salvant will play Cadogan Hall with her latest album, and Juliet Kelly will lead three performances of Family Jazz All-Stars, at artsdepot and Cadogan Hall.

This year sees the introduction of new venues to the Festival with St. John-at-Hackney playing host to Hidden Orchestra’s avant-garde audiovisual show and legendary alto sax player, and former James Brown acolyte, Maceo Parker at Under the Bridge in the grounds of Chelsea Football Club. 

Drummer Manu Katché pairs up with trumpeter Ibrahim Maalouf at the Barbican, and there’s a tribute to the compositions of Billy Strayhorn with David McAlmont and Allan Harris, the latter recently receiving rave reviews for his part in the show ’Café Society Swing’ during its tenure in New York. Steve Gadd, among the most highly-regarded session and studio drummers in the world, brings his band to Ronnie Scott’s on November 16th and British saxophonist Andy Sheppard's new quartet play Kings place on November 20th, showcasing the new ECM album 'Surrounded By Sea'.

These shows add to an already impressive line-up including Kurt Elling (as part of the EFG Excellence Series), Cassandra Wilson, Jarrod Lawson, Sons of Kemet, The Average White Band and James Farm, who feature Love Supreme Festival confirmed saxophonist Joshua Redman.

The Festival runs from November 13th - 22nd. For more information visit efglondonjazzfestival.org.uk

Our pick: Cuban pianist David Virelles at Kings Place on Thursday November 9th. David transforms the sacred and ritualist soundscape of Afro-Cuban music, deeply rooted in the legacy but with a fresh, modern and searching outlook.

David Virelles