Whether you’re a fan of the big band sound, acid jazz, funk or soul, you’re in for a treat at the fifth annual Swansea international Jazz Festival, which takes place in the city’s maritime quarter, 14 – 17 June. With ticketed shows, free events and workshops, the festival takes place at 15 venues. Festival organiser, … Continue reading
Category Archives: Soul
Shakatak and Hamish Stuart among Swansea jazz highlights
Friday night performances from Shakatak and the Hamish Stuart Band are among the highlights of the new year [2018] calendar announced by Swansea Jazzland. Continue reading
Swansea gets all fired up for summer jazz festival
Swansea International Jazz Festival gets all fired up this summer with the music of Earth Wind and Fire, soul star Ruby Turner, and the jazz of Dudley Moore among the highlights. Continue reading
Maybe Tomorrow? No, get it today!
Zeeteah Massiah, whose debut album, Juice, was a stunning collection of jazz-blues-soul-R&B, is back with a very different collection. While Juice consisted mainly of new material, written by her equally-talented partner (now husband) Paul Caplin, her second album, Maybe Tomorrow, consists mainly of familiar tunes by the likes of Cole Porter and Johnny Mercer. Continue reading
More than jazz: Loving the supreme line-up
The Love Supreme Jazz Festival has always been about more than jazz. I say ‘always’ – it’s actually only been going for three years. But, as the main 2016 line-up is announced (February 2016), the event is so well-established, it seems to have been around for ever. Continue reading
Soul with a hint of funk: Can you dig it?
If you’re in any doubt about what to expect from the new Gina Carey album, Can You Dig It, a glance at the tracklist will soon put you straight: songs include Funkalicious and Gimme The Soul. Continue reading
Brecon shows the Other Side of Robert Glasper and Neil Cowley
Among the many highlights of Brecon Jazz 2015 was the chance to take a look at less familiar aspects of two favourite musicians. Continue reading
Love Supreme is here to stay (I hope)
After just three years, the Love Supreme Festival seems to have established itself as a firm fixture on the jazz (and blues and soul) calendar. This year’s edition, again in the beautiful East Sussex countryside at Glynde Place, offered veterans Chaka Khan and (Sir) Van Morrison as main stage headliners, with the likes of Neneh … Continue reading
‘Kinky’ and funky acts add to jazz festival line-ups
The founder of legendary rock band The Kinks, and the DJs of Funky Sensation are among the names that have been added to the line-ups at two of the summer’s big jazz festivals. Continue reading
Whatever this is, I want more – Zeeteah serves up tasty Juice
“Whatever this is, I want more” is the catchy refrain from the opening track on the superb debut studio album from Zeeteah Massiah. And I agree. Juice will leave you wanting more. What is this? Well, it’s jazz, but it’s totally accessible, with hints of blues, soul, R&B, even reggae, without lapsing into pop. Many … Continue reading