It’s understandable that Jazz FM has been blowing its own trumpet this week. Landing two big-name veterans to top the bill at the annual Love Supreme Festival is worth trumpeting. American jazz-funk and soul star Chaka Khan will headline on the Saturday (July 4) and Northern Ireland’s rock-blues-jazz-pop maestro Van Morrison is the man on … Continue reading
Category Archives: Soul
Love Supreme meets the challenge of that ‘difficult second festival’
We’ve all heard the cliche about that “difficult second album”. Imagine how the challenges are multiplied with that difficult second jazz festival. Yet, Love Supreme II was again supreme. The inaugural Love Supreme Festival in July 2013 was such a success, I gave it a glowing 10 out of 10. It was the UK’s first … Continue reading
It’s all in the timing at Love Supreme
With the Love Supreme Festival just days away, it’s time to start thinking about where you want to be when. Can I see Jamie Cullum and Snarky Puppy? Will I miss Laura Mvula, if I see Incognito? Such are the dilemmas of a multi-stage event with top-class jazz, soul and R&B acts at every turn. … Continue reading
Gregory Porter – the man with the suit, hat – and voice
Gregory Porter is probably the hottest male-vocal property on the jazz scene in 2014 – and he’s likely to be especially hot in his trademark suit and hat when he performs at both Love Supreme and Brecon Jazz this summer! His appeal is clear – a charismatic personality, with an intriguing back-story, and a voice…. … Continue reading
New Love Supreme acts grab attention
A further impressive chunk of the Love Supreme Festival line-up has been announced, with De la Soul, Incognito and Imelda May among the names grabbing my attention. Jazz FM‘s greenfield festival of jazz, soul, blues and more is back at Glynde Place in Sussex (July 4-6) for its second year, having been given a glowing … Continue reading
Lining up for summer jazz
Two of the summer’s big jazz festivals have announced their 2014 line-ups – here’s Pink Pie’s look at what’s in store at Brecon and Love Supreme. The 30th anniversary Brecon Jazz Festival is headlined by Burt Bacharach, who opens the event on Thursday 7th August. I’m not being disrespectful by saying Burt was never the … Continue reading
Love Supreme – a supreme 10 out of 10
I’m sure the sunshine helped, but my day out at the Love Supreme jazz festival last weekend was a real 10 out of 10. The UK’s first greenfield jazz festival for many years benefited from a field that was indeed green, not mud brown, as it would have been if the weather had been less … Continue reading
How about it? A summer anthem of love, peace, harmony
Here’s my nomination for the summer anthem of 2013 – Shaun Escoffery’s Nature’s Call is a timely antidote to the hatred on our streets and social channels in recent weeks. Continue reading