Winter Festivals
The London Jazz Festival

The London Jazz Festival, in association with BBC Radio 3, returns for 10 days of performances, interactive workshops and informal interviews. This year’s Festival runs from Friday 13 – Sunday 22 November and Southbank Centre is one of the major venues with over 50 ticketed and Free Events that will take over the site this November.

The London Jazz Festival is the UK’s largest annual celebration of jazz, bringing together an inspiring mix of international jazz talents alongside rising stars of the genre. Headline concerts at Southbank Centre include Buena Vista Social Club piano prodigy Roberto Fonseca, who performs alongside sensual singer Mayra Andrade; the bluesy coolness of Melody Gardot; French-American singer Madeleine Peyroux; Tropicalia frontrunner and icon Gilberto Gil; jazz aristocracy Cleo Laine and John Dankworth; vocal gymnastics from a cappella group Naturally 7; and Chicago’s jazz post-rockers Tortoise.

Further Festival highlights at Southbank Centre include the Tomasz Stanko Quintet; hip-hop-influenced pianist Robert Glasper; tenor and soprano saxophonist Branford Marsalis; Viennese percussionist Lukas Ligeti; saxophonist John Surman’s special concert to celebrate his 65th birthday; Giulia Y Los Tellarini from Barcelona; composer and pianist Gwilym Simcock and a talk by Bonnie Greer, tracing the story of the extraordinary liaison between the young Miles Davis and Juliette Greco.

There is also an extensive programme of Free Events at Southbank Centre, including a Polish Showcase presenting some of Poland’s finest young musicians and Way In To Way Out – an introduction to jazz by two of the country’s hottest emerging young talents, Michael Mwenso and Jay Phelps. The popular Hear Me Talkin’ To Ya series of informal and informative interviews returns with some of the stars of the Festival, including jazz guitar icon and ex-Miles Davis sideman, John Scofield; innovative pianist Vijay Iyer; saxophonists Brandford Marsalis and John Surman and distinguished contemporary jazz composer Carla Bley. 

Inspired by some of the world’s great singers featured in this year’s Festival at Southbank Centre, The Voicelab Jazz Day on Sunday 15 November offers the opportunity for participants to deepen their understanding of the jazz voice, exploring ideas of harmony and improvisation and focusing in particular on interpretation of song material, and how to keep it fresh in the 21st century. Confirmed vocal leaders are Pete Churchill, Natalie Williams and Guillermo Rozenthaler.  The day culminates in a public performance at 6.30pm.
Southbank Centre’s Friday Lunch and Friday Tonic series features some of the younger generation artists and new voices on the jazz scene, including pianist Jonathan Geyevue; alto saxophonist Gough Cooper; Troyka – a trio that has been described by Time Out as ‘King Crimson for the iPod genration’ and Trinity Jazz Ensemble, performing a special concert of Benny Goodman’s big band music.

On the closing day of the Festival, Trouble Tune, a specially curated afternoon of free live music and visuals on The Clore Ballroom, explores the territories between jazz and experimental music. Performances include a 60-minute DJ set by ‘Appleblim’ (Laurie Osborne), a special collaboration between multi-instrumentalist Bass Clef (Ralph Cumbers) and a collective of live musicians led by Shabaka Hutchings and Jason Yarde; artists Geiom and Matt Yee King plus live visuals by the Tilt Collective.

LONDON JAZZ FESTIVAL AT SOUTHBANK CENTRE
13 – 22 November 2008

FRIDAY 13 NOVEMBER

Jonathan Geyevu
Friday Lunch
Level 2 Central Bar at Royal Festival Hall, 1pm, Admission free
Geyevu brings a distinctively spacious, gracefully melodic approach to the piano combined with a jazz-influenced singer/songwriter style.

Leah Gough Cooper
Friday Tonic
The Front Room at Queen Elizabeth, Hall, 6pm, Admission free
Altoist Gough Cooper is known for her quicksilver solo skills and a compositional maturity beyond her years.

Hear Me Talkin’ To Ya:
John Scofield
Queen Elizabeth Hall, 6.15pm, Admission free
John Scofield talks about his career to date, from his days with Miles Davis and Billy Cobham to his current Piety Street Band.

John Scofield’s Piety Street Band
+ Dennis Rollins Velocity Trio
Queen Elizabeth Hall, 7.30pm £25 £20 £10
Former Miles Davis collaborator John Scofield returns to his roots with the Piety Street Band, which mix soulful blues with gospel and New Orleans style R&B. He is joined by keyboardist Jon Cleary, Meters bassist George Porter Jr and New Orleans native John
Boutté on vocals. Support comes from trombonist Dennis Rollins and his new Hammond trio.

Astillero
Purcell Room at Queen Elizabeth Hall, 7.45pm sold out, returns only & 9.30pm £20 £10
This all-acoustic group from Buenos Aires, inspired by the golden age of tango, add a daring youthful edginess to create their own vision of the dance form.

SATURDAY 14 NOVEMBER

John Surman Masterclass
Spirit Level at Royal Festival Hall, 11am £5
John Surman gives an insight into his art, career and technical approach through discussion and performance.

Polish Showcase
The Clore Ballroom at Royal Festival, Hall, 2pm, Admission free
A showcase of the best in new Polish jazz, featuring Pawel Kaczmarczyk and Grzegorz
Karnas.

Way In To The Way Out – An Introduction To Jazz
The Front Room at Queen Elizabeth Hall, 2pm, Admission free
Two of the country’s hottest emerging young talents, Michael Mwenso and Jay Phelps, explore the history of jazz from the perspective of a younger generation using live and
recorded music.
Discover Polish Jazz
The Front Room at Queen Elizabeth Hall, 6pm, Admission free
Following on from this afternoon’s showcase in The Clore Ballroom,
the editor of Poland’s Jazz Forum Magazine, Pawel Brodowski, talks about the past, present and future of Polish jazz.

Roberto Fonseca
+ Mayra Andrade
Royal Festival Hall, 7.30pm £20 £15 £10
Roberto Fonseca The Buena Vista Social Club piano prodigy Roberto Fonseca updates
the Cuban jazz lineage with euphoric, melodically charged music. And young Cape Verdean singer Mayra Andrade brings her own take on the island’s music, including Brazilian inflections, funky basslines and Flamenco guitars.

Tomasz Stanko Quintet
+ Metier
Queen Elizabeth Hall, 7.30pm £25 £20 £10
Polish trumpeter and jazz legend Tomasz Stanko presents his new Scandinavian Quintet, who perform music from their album Dark Eyes, out on ECM in Autumn.
Support comes from Iceland’s Metier.

World Sanguine Report
+ Trio VD
Purcell Room at Queen Elizabeth Hall, 7.45pm £10
Part demonic vaudeville, part psychotic big band, raggedly brilliant singer Andrew Plummer leads his jazz noir project World Sanguine Report through visceral tales from the dark side of life, love and death. Meanwhile Trio VD launch their noise-jazz debut
Fill It Up With Ghosts.

SUNDAY 15 NOVEMBER

The Voicelab Jazz Day
Voicelab Welcomes
Front Room at Queen Elizabeth Hall, 10.30am, Admission free
This day-long event offers the opportunity for participants to deepen their understanding of the jazz voice, culminating in a public performance at 6.30pm. All seriously interested singers welcome, for more details email voicelab@southbankcentre.co.uk and include ‘Jazz Day’ in the subject heading.

Baaba Maal in conversation with Jon Snow
Africa is the Future
Sunday 15 November, Purcell Room, 2pm, Tickets £10
Following his performance in Ornette Coleman’s Meltdown, Senegalese superstar Baaba Maal returns to Southbank Centre as part of the London Jazz Festival to discuss Africa in the 21st century, its challenges and its aspirations – and also to play a few songs…

The Clore Ballroom at Royal Festival Hall, 3pm, Admission free
Three Hours With Loop Performances by three emerging London bands – Phronesis, Sam Crockatt Quartet and Blink – drawn together by The Loop Collective.

Hear Me Talkin’ To Ya:
Vijay IYer
The Front Room at Queen Elizabeth Hall, 6pm, Admission free
Pianist Vijay Iyer discusses his own forward-looking approach to contemporary jazz from his Asian-American roots.

Melody Gardot
+ José James
Royal Festival Hall, 7.30pm £25 £20 £10
Hugely popular at last year’s London Jazz Festival, Melody Gardot’s smouldering voice is
perfect for her soul-drenched take on the blues, with a hint of jazz steeped in the coolness of the midnight hour.

Robert Glasper & Bilal
+ Stonephace
Queen Elizabeth Hall, 7.30pm £20 £10
Hip hop-influenced pianist Robert Glasper follows McCoy Tyner and Herbie Hancock as the Blue Note label’s latest piano star to push the classic trio format into uncharted
territory. Tonight he is joined by hip hop star Bilal. Support from Larry Stabbins’ new quartet Stonephace, featuring Portishead guitarist Adrian Utley.

Vijay Iyer
+ Leszek Mozdzer
Purcell Room at Queen Elizabeth Hall, 7.45pm £20 £10
Innovative pianist Iyer draws from a wide range of Western and non-Western traditions to bring a thoughtful, far-sighted approach to contemporary jazz. Support from star solo pianist Leszek Mozder, making a rare London appearance.

MONDAY 16 NOVEMBER

Hear Me Talkin’ To Ya:
Branford Marsalis
The Front Room at Queen Elizabeth Hall, 6pm, Admission free
Great saxophonist and lively personality Branford talks about a career that stretches from his work with Miles Davis via Sting through chamber music and on to his own quartet.

NATURALLY 7
+ Voicelab featuring Ian Shaw
Royal Festival Hall, 7.30pm £20 £15 £10
Naturally 7 mix classic closeharmony, a cappella singing with beatboxing, bass lines and
uncanny instrumental imitation, as well as rap, soul, pop and jazz. The first half of this concert is a collaboration between Southbank Centre’s Voicelab initiative and Ian Shaw.

Branford Marsalis
+ Robert Mitchell 3io
Queen Elizabeth Hall, 7.30pm £30 £20 £10
Tenor and soprano saxophonist Branford Marsalis has brought a fierce intelligence and fluidity to the instrument’s post-Coltrane lineage. Support comes from UK pianist Robert Mitchell, whose album won Best Jazz Album in Gilles Peterson’s Worldwide Awards 2009.

Lukas Ligeti
Purcell Room at Queen Elizabeth Hall, 7.45pm £20 £10
Viennese percussionist Lukas Ligeti presents a selection of his work for solo electronic marimba, creating an inspiring new take on the dialogue between African and Western music achieved through ingenious use of sampling and music technology.

TUESDAY 17 NOVEMBER

Hear Me Talkin’ To Ya:
Carla Bley
The Front Room at Queen Elizabeth Hall, 6pm, Admission free
Revered as one of jazz’s most progressive composers and performers, Bley talks about a life in music that stretches back to the 1960s.

Carla Bley & The Lost Chords
+ Julian Siegel Trio
Queen Elizabeth Hall, 7.30pm £25 £20 £10
Carla Bley, a major force in contemporary jazz, appears with her quartet The Lost Chords, featuring Andy Sheppard (saxophone), Steve Swallow (bass) and Billy Drummond (drums). Support comes from saxophone player Julian Siegel and his
powerful US trio.

Kiran Ahluwalia
Purcell Room at Queen Elizabeth Hall, 7.45pm £20 £10
The yearning of ghazal and the longing of fado combine in Kiran Ahluwalia’s mesmerising voice. Her appearance at Southbank Centre is the first British concert of this exciting artist with her band.

WEDNESDAY 18 NOVEMBER

Hear Me Talkin’ To Ya:
John Surman
The Front Room at Queen Elizabeth Hall, 6pm, Admission free
John Surman’s musical world encompasses acoustic jazz at the highest international level, chamber music and a creative use of electronics. Come and find out how Surman continues to draw together his diverse musical enthusiasms as he celebrates his 65th birthday.

John Surman Celebrates 65 years
Queen Elizabeth Hall, 7.30pm £25 £20 £10
In this special concert to celebrate his 65th birthday, Surman brings together a stellar bill of international stars for their only European concert together – Jack DeJohnette (drums),
John Abercrombie (guitar) and Drew Gress (bass). A solo set plus duet with Norwegian singer Karin Krog completes the evening.

Clara Sanabras & The Real Lowdown
+ Alexia Gardner
Purcell Room at Queen Elizabeth Hall, 7.45pm £20 £10
Multi-instrumentalist Clara Sanabras hails from Barcelona but has absorbed a huge range of influences from her work with Natacha Atlas and Theatre of Voices alongside medieval and modern classical forms. She performs with violinist Dylan Bates and her band, including composer Harvery Brough.

THURSDAY 19 NOVEMBER

Hear Me Talkin’ To Ya:
Sheila Jordan
The Front Room at Queen Elizabeth Hall, 6pm, Admission free
An amazing chance to glimpse the extraordinary musical world of Sheila Jordan.who has known and worked with many of the jazz greats in a career stretching back to the days when she was mentored by Charlie Parker.
Gilberto Gil
Royal Festival Hall, 7.30pm £37.50 £30 £20 £10
With four decades of music behind him – influencing and influenced by tropicalia, rock and reggae – icon Gilberto Gil premiers his new strings project with Jaques Morelenbaum (cello) and Bem Gil (guitar/percussion).
Part of the EFG International Excellence Series

Cleveland Watkiss At 50
Queen Elizabeth Hall, 7.30pm £20 £10
Cleveland Watkiss celebrates his 50th birthday with guest appearances from key
collaborators from throughout his long and distinguished career that’s taken in bands like the Jazz Warriors and collaborations with Goldie, Talvin Singh and Julian Joseph.

Giulia Y Los Tellarini
+ Simon Harris & The Bright Size Gypsies
Purcell Room at Queen Elizabeth Hall, 7.45pm £20 £10
Giulia Y Los Tellarini’s song ‘Barcelona’ was selected by Woody Allen as the title music for his film Vicky Cristina Barcelona. The group’s music traverses French chanson, jazz, tango and latin boleros, highlighted by Tellarini’s beautiful vocals. Opening the evening are The Bright Size Gypsies whose material includes reworked classics by artists from Schubert to Michael Jackson.

FRIDAY 20 NOVEMBER

Troyka
Friday Lunch
Level 2 Central Bar at Royal Festival Hall, 1pm, Admission free
Described by Time Out as ‘King Crimson for the iPod generation’, Troyka blend intensely funky rhythms with twisted catchy tunes.

Trinity Jazz Ensemble
Friday Tonic
The Front Room at Queen Elizabeth Hall, 6pm, Admission free
The culmination of an intensive workshop programme led by Alan Barnes, this hard-hitting ensemble performs a special concert of Benny Goodman’s big band music
– part of the focus on celebrating the 100th year of Benny Goodman’s birth, which continues with tonight’s Purcell Room concert.

Madeleine Peyroux
+ Gerald Clayton
Royal Festival Hall, 7.30pm £27.50 £25 £10
French-America singer Madeleine Peyroux has won acclaim for her beguiling smoky-toned voice. Her four albums have moved from covers by the likes of Josephine Baker and Elliott Smith to, more recently, her own smouldering originals. Emerging pianist Gerald Clayton opens.

Dave Holland, Chris Potter, Jason Moran & Eric Harland: Overtone Quartet
+ David Jean Baptiste: Clarinet Council
Queen Elizabeth Hall, 7.30pm £25 £20 £10
A masterclass of quicksilver improvising and profoundly melodic jazz, the Overtone Quartet are contemporary jazz heavyweights Dave Holland (bass), Chris Potter (sax), Jason Moran (piano) and Eric Harland (drummer). Support from UK clarinetist David Jean-Baptiste who unveils his brand new clarinet quartet.

Alan Barnes: Five Takes on Benny Goodman
Purcell Room at Queen Elizabeth Hall, 7.45pm £20 £10
Multi-reed master Alan Barnes assembles an all-star band to pay a heartfelt tribute to the original King of Swing, clarinetist Benny Goodman, to honour what would have been Goodman’s 100th birthday.

SATURDAY 21 NOVEMBER

Bonnie Greer
Purcell Room at Queen Elizabeth Hall, 2pm £10
Acclaimed writer and broadcaster Bonnie Greer traces the story of the extraordinary liaison between the young Miles Davis and Juliette Greco – the point where bebop
brushed with the culture of Boris Vian, Sartre and the existentialists.

Gwilym Simcock & The Voice Project
Queen Elizabeth Hall, 2pm, £15 £10
The London premiere of an uplifting choral work, I Prefer the Gorgeous Freedom, that
effortlessly blends classical and jazz themes into a sonorous whole.

BBC Radio 3 Jazz Line-Up Live
The Clore Ballroom at Royal Festival Hall, 3pm, Admission free
Jazz Line-Up brings the essence of the Festival atmosphere to audiences on air and in person featuring saxophonist Jason Yarde and pianist Andrew McCormack, rising star Kit Downes and David Jean-Baptiste’s new clarinet quartet.

Dave Milligan Trio
The Front Room at Queen Elizabeth Hall, 4.30pm, Admission free
Scottish pianist Milligan’s trio make a compelling blend of lyrical melody, tight group interplay and an engaging musical wit.

Kit Downes Trio
The Clore Ballroom at Royal Festival Hall, 6pm, Admission free
Pianist Kit Downes (also a member of loud jazz trio Troyka, see Friday 20 November) leads his own acoustic trio.

Colin Steele Quintet
The Front Room at Queen Elizabeth Hall, 6pm, Admision free
Trumpeter Colin Steele embraces his native Scotland’s rich folk traditions and seamlessly integrates them into a modern jazz setting. An internationally recognised virtuoso, here he leads his own fiery, multi-award winning quintet.

Cleo Laine, John
Dankworth And Friends
+ Accentuate the Positive
Royal Festival Hall, 7.30pm £37.50 £30 £20 £10
The first couple of the jazz aristocracy present a very special show to celebrate their illustrious careers. Performing solo, duo, with string quartet and a full choir as well as featuring their regular band.
Part of the EFG International Excellence Series

Tord Gustavsen Ensemble
+ Jason Yarde & Andrew McCormack
Queen Elizabeth Hall, 7.30pm £25 £20 £10
International best-selling Scandinavian pianist Tord Gustavsen presents the London
premiere of his new ensemble – Jarle Vespestad (drums), Mats Eilertsen (bass) and Tore Brunborg (saxophone). Support from UK saxophonist Jason Yarde and
award-winning pianist Andrew McCormack.

Mike Maran: A Funny Valentine
Purcell Room at Queen Elizabeth Hall, 7.45pm £20 £10
Highly acclaimed writer/musician and storyteller Mike Maran performs his hit production A Funny Valentine, a spine-tingling evocation of troubled genius Chet Baker’s life. Includes musical illustration from Colin Steele (trumpet) and Dave Milligan (piano).

SUNDAY 22 NOVEMBER

Tortoise
+ Cluster
Royal Festival Hall, 7.30pm £20 £17.50
A one-off gig from Chicago’s postrockers Tortoise with support from seminal electronic pioneers Cluster.

Trouble Tune
The Clore Ballroom at Royal Festival Hall, 3pm, Admission free
Exploring the territories between jazz and experimental music, subtle electronica and dubstep, The Clore Ballroom space will be transformed into a meeting ground for live collaboration, DJs and digital art. Acts to be announced.