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London Jazz Festival

Venue: Multiple
Town: London
Date: 13-22/11/14
Website: http://www.efglondonjazzfestival.org.uk/

You need only look at the programme to see that the EFG London Jazz Festival is not only one of the major events of the international Jazz calendar, but is one of the most diverse and engaging,. Ranging from major concerts at the Southbank Centre and at the Barbican, and club gigs at the Vortex, Ronnie Scott's, Pizza Express and many other venues, to free concerts, films, workshops, talks and discussions, there was more than enough for every taste and every pocket! Indeed, the avid jazz fan had to work hard to catch even a fraction of what was on offer; talk about spoilt for choice! With the active participation of Serious, Jazzwise Magazine and a range of other sponsors, jazz is being brought to a wide public, and especially to many young musicians. Add to that commissioning no less than 21 new jazz pieces to be premiered at the Festival, and it is clear that this is an event with its eye on the future of jazz, and on the cultivation of new generations of players and audiences. At the same time, the Festival was happy to celebrate the heritage of jazz in all its colours - in particular, Hard Bop and Soul Jazz at the Celebrating 75 years of Blue Note concert, and the celebration of John Stevens work as a UK pioneer of Free Jazz, both on Saturday 22nd November. Jazz as a global phenomenon was also recognised, with a series of events recording 20 Years of Freedom in South Africa through the music of Abdullah Ibrahim, the Blue Notes and Bheki Mseleku.

Here are just a few highlights:

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Robert Wyatt Book Launch

While the Festival music came to a climax at the Barbican on Sunday 23rd, with Charles Lloyd and Joe Lovano/Dave Douglas, a different event closed matters on the Southbank. Robert Wyatt made a rare appearance on stage to launch his authorised biography - Different Every Time - and its companion CD/vinyl career retrospective albums.

It was great to hear Robert in conversation with biographer Marcus O'Dair, and to have him comment on his life, politics, and experiences as someone who is wheelchair-bound (but not disabled?). Robert also commented on recorded extracts from his back-catalogue, and reminisced, during a Question and Answer session, on some of those musicians he has worked with in the past.

However, it must be said that the evening had a rather anti-climactic air. Realising that Robert was not going to perform, many people left early, after his interview session and before the rest of the evening: a solo performance by Orphy Robinson, followed by a screening of the BBC documentary on his life, The Robert Wyatt Story. Given that Robert has publically confirmed his decision to retire from making music, it is a shame that he felt unable to go out on a high note and sing just one or two songs, perhaps with some musician friends. Enjoyable though the Orphy Robinson piece was, it seemed out of place (this was not Meltdown); and the film would have worked better if it had preceded the interview - even if that meant starting the evening earlier, so Robert could get home early to Louth! I am sure some people felt short-changed; others may have thought it strange that this self-confessed radical leftie should be involved in what may have appeared to be merely a PR stunt to push his book and records.

Martin Price

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Helping Musicians Get Heard!!