jazz news
Track: Kamasi Washington releases two tracks from his forthcoming second album, plus release/tour news
Jazz superstar Kamasi Washington has heralded the announcement of his second album Heaven and Earth, set for release on June 22nd via Young Turks, by releasing two tracks – Fists of Fury and The Space Travelers. The long-awaited follow up to Washington’s debut The Epic, Heaven and Earth is comprised of two halves, which find …
News: Jazz trumpeter Keyon Harrold announces April UK live dates
Boundary-breaking, socially-conscious musician and one of America’s most exciting trumpet players to perform exclusive UK shows April 9th to the 13th 2018 sees the inspirationally talented, award-winning trumpeter Keyon Harrold travel to the UK to play five live shows in Huddersfield, Manchester, Leeds, London and Southampton, in support of his recent album The Mugician. A …
See: Run Logan Run release new video for Death is Elsewhere, plus UK tour dates
Hailing from Bristol, Andrew Hayes and Dan Johnson are a fascinating collision of pounding, tribal drums and screaming saxophone. The duo was formed through a shared passion for improvisation, spiritual jazz and heavy, experimental music and have been writing their own narrative in the new era of crossover jazz, all whilst touring the UK extensively. …
News: Gregory Porter announces run of UK shows
Grammy-winning singing sensation Gregory Porter soon returns to the UK to perform at the prestigious Royal Albert Hall. With additional dates added due to popular demand, Gregory will now appear on Mon 2 Apr, Wed 18 Apr and Thu 19 Apr. Gregory became the biggest selling jazz artist in the UK in 2017, following the …
News: Kamasi Washington announces European tour dates
Kamasi Washington has announced an extensive run of UK and European live shows. The tour will see the Los Angeles saxophonist, bandleader and composer performing some of his biggest headline shows to date – including a show at London’s legendary 3000 capacity Roundhouse venue – during a run of 26 headline shows and festival appearances …
News: Belle & Sebastian to headline BBC 6 Music Festival in Glasgow
As the BBC 6 Music Festival prepares to make its Glasgow debut, local stars Belle & Sebastian are announced as headliners. As one of Glasgow’s most loved bands, it’s fitting that Belle & Sebastian are topping the bill on the last night of the BBC 6 Music Festival on Sunday 26 March at the O2 …
Win: Two Tickets for Gogo Penguin at London Village Underground 25.2.16
We’ve been big fans of Manchester jazz trio Gogo Penguin for about as long as we can remember. The three piece, pianist Chris Illingworth, bassist Nick Blacka and drummer Rob Turner drew on not only the jazz heritage, but broader influences such as Brian Eno, John Cage, Massive Attack and Aphex Twin to make something …
Win: Tickets for Nostalgia 77 @ Rich Mix, London 18.9.15
He doesn’t play out very often, doesn’t Ben Lamdin, aka Nostalgia 77 so there’s much excitement here in Backseat Mafia towers that he’s announced a rare live appearance, along with his full live band, at Rich Mix, London on Friday 18th September. After bursting onto the scene with this atmospheric (nu)jazz and fresh take on …
News: Light in the attic to release Karin Krog collection
She was a new one on us, Norwegian jazz singer Karin Krog. Over the last five decades she’s been treating, and educating, and thrilling jazz fans across Scandanavia to her way out post-bop spiritual jazz, bringing together the experimental worlds of electronics and jazz to create something rather special, but maybe hidden (or is that …
News: Ronny Jordan, pioneer of Acid Jazz, dies at 52
I always had this thing about Jazz, but the record that really opened the door for me, was Jazzmatazz Vol. 1. Former Gang Starr mainstay Guru released the album, essentially a hip-hop record but one that was infused with, or rather soaked in Jazz and Jazz-Funk. It went heavy on my stereo till it wore …