Jazz In The Round

Barrier-busting jazz/contemporary music binge with Jazz on 3 presenter Jez Nelson. Every last Monday.

Jazz In The Round returns for the second night with Shabaka Hutchings and Sons of Kemet feat. Seb Rochford, Tom Skinner and Oren Marshall, a solo set from Andrew McCormack plus Ryan Williams Flashmob feat. Rory Simmons, Will Collier and Nick Smalley open the night at the slightly earlier time of 8pm.

“This night is the sort of thing I've wanted to be involved in for a long time,” says Jez. “The idea is to bring together bands and artists from different scenes, genres, cultures and generations. Our only watchword is quality. We considered calling the night ‘Jazz Snobs Eat Shit’ but decided it might limit our PR. But you get the idea. The whole thing happens in the round, so there's a real intimacy between musicians and audience. Every night we have 3 acts - a headliner, a brand new act, and a one-off solo spot. I talk to the artists about whatever is on their mind - and dust down my Blue Note and impulse collections for a DJ set in the bar at the end of the night.”

February's Programme

Shabaka Hutchings and Sons of Kemet

Hailing from the murky world of the London post-jazz scene, Sons of Kemet is a meeting of BBC New Generation Artist Shabaka Hutchings on saxophones and clarinet, with Seb Rochford (Polar Bear) and Tom Skinner (zero 7, zed-u) on drums plus Oren Marshall on tuba.
With a distinctive street music feel, the group bears influence from the dynamic vibe of New Orleans music to the percussive intricacy of West African drum music with some Caribbean dub flavours thrown in for good measure.
For the past year the group has been getting a distinct feel together in informal sessions while performing to packed houses in venues across London.

Andrew McCormack

Pianist Andrew McCormack performs a rare solo set. Andrew is a unique and award winning artist whose varied composing and performing career has already had global reach.
Writing for his duo with Jason Yarde or as a pivotal member of the Kyle Eastwood Band, Andrew's performance and composition also encompass film work in Hollywood as well as symphonic concert music in London.

Ryan Williams Flashmob

Formed in 2007 by Cornish guitarist Ryan Williams, Flashmob draw on a wide range of influences exploring long forms, grooves and free elements.
The Quartet consists of Rory Simmons (Trumpet), Will Collier (Bass), Nick Smalley (Drums) and Ryan Williams (Guitar). Over the last three years, the Quartet has performed extensively across the U.K. and Europe.
The other members of the quartet are active members of London’s contemporary music scene, both as sidemen as well as leaders of their own projects.

Flashmob’s debut album, ‘Generals’ was released on the F-IRE label in September 2011, this was followed up by an extensive Jazz Services supported UK tour which included a performance at last year’s London Jazz Festival.

Sleeve notes: Sean Corby. For exclusive interviews with Shabaka, Andrew and Ryan, go to prodigaljazztalk

Jason Yarde’s Trio WAH!, and Arun Ghosh Quartet are set to headline the March and April gigs, with Dave Eliot and Shadow Writing joining the March night and World Service Project and John Russell confirmed for April.

Says Jez “Jazz in the UK is in a really healthy state. Week by week I hear strong CDs and see excellent gigs. And it's coming from all directions. Free music, electronica, more mainstream things, dance music, big bands. There are scores of excellent players coming out of colleges, but still great things rising up from underground scenes. We're still lucky to be able to hear great legends of UK jazz who started out in the 60s onwards, as well as new artists just finding their feet. We want to reflect and mix all of this.”

For The Cockpit, Jazz In The Round marks a return to musical form. Forty years ago, Humprey Burton broadcast T. Rex, among others, from the iconic sixties theatre off Marylebone’s Lisson Grove, as part of the London Weekend Television Music In The Round series. Now, Jez Nelson’s Somethin’ Else, The Cockpit, and Prodigal Jazz, with sponsorship from Loudwater Partners, are reinventing the format as a live gig – though each night will be recorded.

Jez adds: “ It's only 7 quid to get in! I hope this means we continue to get a really wide range of people coming along just to open their minds and check things out."

To see the young T. Rex and the slightly less young Humphrey Burton in the round at The Cockpit way back when, visit:
Part 1: youtube.com/watch?v=hIp59U4raiw
Part 2: youtube.com/watch?v=4xSMKqdgyag

Jazz In The Round supported by Loudwater Partners.