This year’s London Jazz Festival will run from Friday 13th-Sunday 22nd November, taking place in some of the biggest venues in the capital, including the Barbican, Queen Elizabeth Hall, Ronnie Scott’s and the Royal Festival Hall.
With so many really great gigs going on this year, why not take your lead from Spoonfed and our pick of the best things in town. Lots of the shows will sell out in advance, so move quickly to get your tickets.
Cleveland Watkiss at 50
Queen Elizabeth Hall
19th November
19:30
£10-20
One of the most exciting and entertaining vocalists in the country, Watkiss comes to the Queen Elizabeth Hall to celebrate his 50th birthday, with special friends and guests from the jazz world. He is also running vocal workshops at his old school in Hackney and a number of the kids will be joining him for this fantastic performance. I spoke to Cleveland ahead of the festival about jazz, musical education and his excitement at performing at the Queen Elizabeth Hall. Have a read of the interview here.
Sonny Rollins
Barbican
14th November
19:30
£10-65
Stepping into the Barbican on 14th November is a true legend of jazz. Sonny Rollins is widely recognised as a giant in the jazz world, stepping up alongside John Coltrane and Lester Young as one of the greatest tenor saxophonists of all time. Starting his prolific career at the tender age of 11, one barely imagines him holding up a saxophone to play, but he rapidly rose in stature, and a number of his songs including St. Thomas and Oleo have become jazz standards. Each performance is a whirlwind of energy and improvisation.
Napoleon Maddox
Arts depot
22nd November
13:00
Free
US rapper and beat-boxer Napoleon Maddox comes to the Arts Depot to explore and experiment with the fusion of hip hop and jazz. The two mediums have a lot in common and his blend will create a dialogue between the two genres, drawing them together as he works with improvisation and musical creation. This should be a really interesting performance for all the family, and it’s free, so why not!
Astillero
Purcell Room/Southbank Centre
13th November
19:45
£10-20
This exciting group from Buenos Aires reinvent tango with a youthful daring and passion which is guaranteed to make you move. Just the sight of them performing will send shivers down your spine as the intoxicating music takes its hold. Truly one of the most exciting things at this year’s festival.
Aaron Parkes
Pizza Express Jazz Club
13th November
19:30
£25
Though this one clashes with Astillero, it’s still more food for thought. Fusing elements of rock, jazz and filmic themes, this New York based artist creates intriguing compositions which captivate the listener, engulfing them in atmospheric brilliance.
‘Parks is a fast-rising star’ – The Guardian
Naturally 7
Theatre Royal Stratford East
15th November
£17.50
This superb a capella group blend gospel, soul, hip hop, jazz, beat boxing and doo-wop into beautiful harmony. The richness, versatility and rhythm that they create just with their voices is a warming phenomenon. Their live performances are fantastic, and this really is one not to miss. Have a look at a video below.
To see what else is going on at the London Jazz Festival click here
Click here for more London Jazz
Click here for more London Live Music
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