Mark Gilbert

Ashford

Editor at Jazz Journal

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Articles

John Scofield Trio at Ronnie Scott's

3 weeks ago | jazzjournal.co.uk | Mark Gilbert

“Sounded great!” quipped Scofield as drummer Bill Stewart suddenly dived off stage just as the trio had taken the stand. It was typical of the guitarist’s always amiable stagecraft, evident throughout the evening in clear, informative and sometimes wry announcements. Stewart was soon back, presumably having retrieved some forgotten item from the green room, and the band were into Blue Monk. The choice was indicative of the 70-minute set to come.
Diana Ross headlines North Sea Jazz Festival

2 months ago | jazzjournal.co.uk | Mark Gilbert

The publicity focus of this year’s NSJF is on the appearance of “the legendary Queen of Motown” Diana Ross on the closing Sunday night of the festival, which runs 11-13 July at Rotterdam’s Ahoy Centre. Also appearing on Sunday will be the multi-million-selling US singer, songwriter and pianist Norah Jones, whose album Vision recently received a Grammy as Best Traditional Pop Vocal Album.
Jazz FM awards return for 2025

2 months ago | jazzjournal.co.uk | Mark Gilbert

Jazz FM, the London-based radio station, has reinstated its jazz awards scheme for 2025, with categories including soul and blues acts of the year. Nick Pitts, Jazz FM content director, says of the awards, launched in 2013 and last held in 2022, that they have been “a benchmark of excellence in the jazz community”. Jazz FM describes itself as “celebrating the complete spectrum of Jazz in all its colourful forms since 1990”.
Billy Cobham and Buena Vista among Cheltenham attractions

2 months ago | jazzjournal.co.uk | Byron Wallen |Mark Gilbert

The full lineup for the 2025 Cheltenham Jazz Festival (30 April-5 May) has been announced as follows below. Aside from the main stage shows in the “Festival Village” at Montpellier Gardens, there will be an array of one-off performances, free events, group workshops, family-orientated shows and late-night jams. Across the town, other venues will be involved, including Cheltenham Town Hall, the Parabola Arts Centre, Dunkertons and Hotel Du Vin, where there’ll be late-night jams.
Stolen Trane-related saxophone prompts an online fundraiser

2 months ago | jazzjournal.co.uk | Mark Gilbert

Andy Hamilton advises of a funding campaign to replace the historic saxophone stolen from Archbishop King of San Francisco on his doorstep a month ago. The campaign’s GoFundPage page says:“Four weeks ago, Archbishop King’s beloved Selmer Mark VI tenor saxophone, which he has played for over 50 years, was stolen from his doorstep in San Francisco.
Media 'masking' female under-representation in Grammys as research finds 'pressing need' for more women in jazz

2 months ago | jazzjournal.co.uk | Mark Gilbert

The Grammy awards have been accused of under-representing women in nominations and awards and facilitating a female-positive smokescreen to hide the fact.
UK tries to reconcile copyright demands with the AI growth agenda

2 months ago | jazzjournal.co.uk | Mark Gilbert

Following the publication of the UK government’s Copyright and AI: Consultation, trumpeter Chris Hodgkins is urging interested parties to write to their MP to ask that there be no copyright exceptions requiring creator opt-out in any legislation on artificial intelligence. The introduction of a copyright exception requiring creator opt-out would mean that AI companies can mine music data without permission or payment, unless the copyright holder actively denies such access.
Mostly jazz? - Jazz Journal

2 months ago | jazzjournal.co.uk | Mark Gilbert

The press release is headed “Groove Armada and more added to Mostly Jazz Festival 2025.” In a world where “jazz” is widely co-opted – perhaps because of the cachet it bestows, perhaps from misunderstanding or perhaps because few can agree anymore what it is – the heading sounds promising, as if in Birmingham this summer jazz were being reclaimed – with just a little non-curricular “commercial” activity for added spice or to balance the books.
'Godfather of UK Jazz' starts 70th birthday celebrations at the Jazz Café

2 months ago | jazzjournal.co.uk | Mark Gilbert

Jazz educator and bassist Gary Crosby is to lead a jazz jam at London’s Jazz Café 2 February to mark his 70th birthday (26 January 2025). Titled “Gary Crosby’s Great Big 70th Birthday Jam” it will feature a mix of Tomorrow’s Warriors alumni, emerging artists and current members of the Tomorrow’s Warriors Young Artist Development programme and recall the Sunday afternoon Jazz Café jam sessions that he started in 1990.
'Vanguards of contemporary British jazz' are nominated for Brits' alternative/rock act

2 months ago | jazzjournal.co.uk | Mark Gilbert

London band Ezra Collective, known for various appearances as a jazz group on TV and radio, have been nominated in four categories in the 2025 Brit awards – Mastercard Album of the Year, Group of the Year, Best New Artist and Alternative / Rock Act.