GARTH'S GIG GUIDE: JUNE 22 – JULY 27
MIDSUMMER MADNESS WITH ALL KINDS OF BEAUTIFUL MUSIC TO EXPERIENCE
Stevie Wonder, one of popular music’s greatest talents, returns to London on July 12.
Summer solstice took place this morning around 3.42 AM – no, I wasn’t at Stonehenge cheering as the first rays lit up those ancient rocks. I’ve actually been taking it easy gig-wise this last week past, partly because work has kept me chained to my desk, alongside not feeling the need to head out so often. That said, on Thursday night I did experience Salif Keita in concert for the first time in more than a decade and he sang with such yearning beauty I didn’t mind being squeezed into a standing space at Koko.
This said, there are myriad musical events happening across the UK over the next month, the big daddy of them all being Glastonbury Festival in Somerset, which starts on Thursday. I’ve never been – huge festivals not being my kind of thing – but I do have friends who make the annual pilgrimage to Glasters and love it. If going then I hope you have a glorious long weekend. Ditto the stadium concerts that are underway – I don’t know anyone who went to see Beyonce in Tottenham but I do have a friend going to Dua Lipa tonight at Wembley, so I’m looking forward to hearing how the British Kosovar pop princess’s performance was.
Then The Proms begin in mid-July. They’re a British institution and largely focused on classical music, but do also offer opportunities to hear much remarkable music making (and at reasonable price). I’m not much of a Prom-er so will attempt this summer to attend more of their concerts at the magnificent Royal Albert Hall.
Anyway, what follows is a selection of gigs/festivals/events I think might be of interest to Yak readers. Its getting mighty hot so do take care if heading out - while outside concerts have the sun, some indoor venues turn into saunas…
Music, dance and food from Okinawa comes to Bermondsey on the afternoon of June 28
The Dime Notes – 22 June, Jamboree, Kings Cross (12.30 -14.30)
Dynamic jazz quarter who play hot music with Django Reinhardt influences.
Vortex Jam With Jonny Ford – 22 June, the Vortex, Dalston Kingsland
£6 entry to one of London’s best jazz jams, tonight led by gifted sax player Jonny Ford.
Anavitoria – 23 June, Jazz Cafe, Camden Town
Noted Brazilian folk-pop band who I know nothing about. But if they’re at the JC then this suggests quality.
Clementine Lovell – 24 June, Water Rats, Kings Cross
Album launch party/gig for the rising accordion player/singer.
Monty Alexander – 24 – 26 June, Ronnie Scott’s, Soho (5.30 & 8.30 shows)
Monty plays jazz piano with Caribbean accents beautifully. I saw him at Ronnie’s last summer and enjoyed the experience.
Brad Mehldau Trio - 24 June, Barbican Hall
Renowned for his profound musicality and genre-defying approach, Brad Mehldau has carved a singular path in contemporary jazz.
Dan Whitehouse & Max ZT – 25 June, The Green Note, Camden Town
ZT, the hammered dulcimer player compared to Hendrix, and the ever-regenerating Whitehouse weave spoken word, song and virtuoso playing to create impactful (often improvised) pieces with a belief in the healing power of music at its core.
Steven Nichols Quintet – 25 June, The Vortex, Dalston Kingsland
Trumpeter Nichols and band play material off his new album From Dust.
Roge – 25 June, Jazz Cafe, Camden Town
Noted Brazilian samba guitarist.
Kassi Valazzar - 25-26 June, St Pancras Old Church, Kings Cross
Noted Americana singer-songwriter plays two nights in this intimate venue.
Alexander Abreu y Havana D’Primera – 26 June, The Electric, Brixton
Abreu has been regarded as one of Cuba’s most popular – and creative – salsa singers, songwriters and band leaders for two decades now.
Third World – 26 June, Jazz Cafe, Camden Town
Once one of the breakout reggae bands who scored with the timeless Now That We’ve Found Love. Speaking of which, Black Uhuru are here on the 30th, surely not featuring original members?
Pertubando - 27 June, The Crypt, Camberwell
Brazilian jazz trio who fuse influences and use the tuba like few others.
Jehru The Damaja – 27 June, Jazz Cafe, Camden Town
Veteran experimental rapper returns to town. Funny to think of rap being on the Oldies circuit but it is these days! Speaking of which Brother Ali – a white Muslim convert US rapper is here on the 28th. I once did a phone interview with Ali in the 90s and he was a sullen jerk.
Lockheart/Williams/Davis Trio – 27 June, the Vortex, Dalston Kingsland
Trumpeter Lockheart is considered one of the icons of contemporary London jazz and here he teams wit bassist Huw Williams and drummer Jay Davis.
Reverend Peyton’s Big Damn Band – 27 June, 100 Club, Oxford Street
Raucous US band who mix country blues styles with punk rock energies.
Errol Linton – 27 June, Fox & Firkin, Lewisham
The Brixton blues band venture into the deep South east.
Sholto plays David Axelrod – 27 June, Ronnie Scott’s, Soho (5.30 & 8.30 shows)
American composer David Axelrod transformed the musical landscape by blending jazz, rock, soul, and classical influences into lush, cinematic compositions. His genre-defying work shaped Lou Rawls and The Electric Prunes and is oft sampled. Sholto brings Axelrod's enduring legacy to life onstage with a 12-piece band.
That’s your lot if you’re a free subscriber - tip me a fiver to see dozens more gigs below.
And read on if you’re already one of the hella awesome people who help me do this not just out of a masochistic sense of altruism...
The late, great David Axelrod receives a tribute concert at Ronnie’s on the 27th. Axelrod was pop-jazz baroque so this could be a fascinating evening.