EFG LONDON JAZZ FESTIVAL: GOING TO A GO-GO!
A handpicked selection of concerts (both free and ticketed) for Yak readers' perusal.
Cuba’s Roberto Fonseca brings Caribbean heat to LJF - he plays both free & ticketed performances.
Take a deep breath: the London Jazz Festival returns for its annual autumnal feast of music making and is packed with stunning musicians from across the globe. In previewing LJF I’m not simply aiming to sate those in Greater London, but to provide Yak readers who exist outside the M25 (the orbital motorway encircling much of London) with an overview of the depth of contemporary talent currently performing: may my tips here introduce you to fresh music to enjoy where ever you call home!
London Jazz Festival (EFG is the sponsor’s initials) features musicians from across the globe and allows “jazz” to have a very broad remit (a good thing). Officially, LJF runs from November 11 – 24, although the “opening gala” is on the 15th and the big gigs are gathered around the weekends of 15-17 and 22-24.
There’s huge amounts of music on with many free events – including The Jazz Social, a pop-up space on Ropemaker Street (part of Barbican Centre) where free concerts will be held that showcase rising talents (and a branded Blue Note shop sells merch’). The festival’s website lists every event – free or ticketed – and it runs for 18 pages with around 24 events per page… Yes, its easy to feel exhausted by the sheer amount of musical talent on offer. Thus my handpicked selection to help ease you into LJF.
Here’s the website for your perusal: https://efglondonjazzfestival.org.uk/whats-on
Below I’ll note a few of my LJF highlights - there’s such a smorgasbord of sounds on offer, from jazz icons through teenage r&b singers just starting out, jazz rappers to Mardi Gras Indians, Texan blues women to Tunisian oud maestros. And more. Much more. Maybe we will bump into one another at one of the concerts?
LCCM Gospel And R&B Singers Concert - 12 November, 1pm, The Jazz Social (free)
How about a lunchtime concert of students from London College Of Contemporary Music with beautiful voices as a warm up to LJF? An intimate acoustic set featuring gospel and R&B singers from LCCM, blending rich, soulful harmonies with uplifting melodies, accompanied by a pianist. Lunch time treats don’t get any tastier!
Kayhan Kalhor Ensemble – 15 November, Queen Elizabeth Hall, Southbank
I love Persian music and Kayhan Kalhor, a kamancheh (a bowed string instrument found in Central Asia/Iran) virtuoso and composer, is one of Iran’s master musicians. Here he explores the classical poetry of Saadi Shirazi and introduces a number of young musicians alongside vocalist Hadi Hosseini. Not “jazz” in any conventional sense but do expect stunning improvisations.
Pat Metheny – 15/16 November, Barbican Centre
Pat Metheny’s skills as a jazz guitarist have been praised for the past forty+ years and his gentle, fluid touch remains as incisive as ever. Here he’s playing solo and focusing on his 2023 acoustic album Dream Box – this noted, he will apparently also play a selection of fan favourites.
Avantdale Bowling Club – 15 November, Islington Assembly Hall
A Kiwi artist at LJF? Well, its my national duty to include them… And Tom Scott, who is ABC, leads a jazz quartet over which he raps fluid, wry rhymes.