Birmingham Jazz

Steve Tromans’ latest project is inspired by Victor Jara, the Chilean singer songwriter and political activist. ...

I really enjoyed last night’s concert (7th November) with Portico Quartet and Sweet Billy Pilgrim. ...

There is a very thoughtful review by John L Walters of the Portico Quartet recent concert at the Koko venue in London in today’s Guardian. He says: The group don’t build their music like a rock band with volume and big gestures. Nor do they sprawl like jazzers with themes and long solos. Ra...

Here we are referring to events that are free entry to the public. Peter Bacon on his Jazz Breakfast site has launched a very interesting debate on this question. You can read his piece here. Tony

There is a very interesting concert in the Recital Hall in Birmingham Conservatoire this Wednesday, 4th November, with a double bill featuring Blink, the trio featuring Alcyona Mick on piano, Robin Fincker on sax and Paul Clarvis on drums. It’s a double bill with the Lluis Mather Quartet opening. ...

Last night’s Rush Hour Blues session presented a fine set from the Sam Crockatt Quartet. It’s a great group with Kit Downes on piano, Oli Hayhurst on bass and Ben Reynolds on drums, and the music was mostly selected from their debut album Howeird on the Loop Label. T...

Sam Crockatt is a fine young saxophonist who has recently brought out an excellent album Howeird on Loop Records. He was in town recently with Mike Janisch and impressive with a very distinctive voice that is not too far out, but always maintains interest...

Read Peter Bacon’s review of the Sam Wooster Quartet gig at at The Rainbow last night here. I think the review captures the gig extremely well. Tony

Sam Wooster plays the Jazz Club session at The Rainbow this Wednesday: 28th October, doors at 8.30, music at 9pm. Sam graduated from the Conservatoire jazz course this summer with a First and also won a Yamaha/Classic FM prize as one of the UK’s top graduates for 2009. ...

photo by Russ Escritt Last night’s Polar Bear gig at the Glee Club was heralded this morning by Tony as the “gig of the season” on his arrival at the Birmingham Jazz office. Having made it down to the gig myself, I’d be inclined to agree with him. The la...

Thursday’s Cobweb Collective and Friday’s Rush Hour Blues session at Symphony Hall saw the launch of a great new band: Percy Pursglove’s Organ Trio. It has Percy on trumpet, Ross Stanley on a real Hammond Organ plus Leslie and Andrew Bain on drums. I di...

When I think about what I like about the current jazz scene in UK, I always seem to end up thinking about Polar Bear and its leader drummer Seb Rochford...