Totally intriguing ‘experimental rock jazz’ project with all the makings, thanks to the twin guitar frontline of Neil Smith (Liftmen, Smith & Willox) and Luke Cawthra (Phantom Limb) and gleeful giant rhythm section of Dave Johnston’s (bass) and Matt Jones … Continue reading →

What happens when a whole bunch of circus people from France and the UK pool their mutual musical energy in the cause of A Good Time? Something like this frenzy of Balkan funk and hip-hoppery, we suspect, because that’s what … Continue reading →

Picking up from his much-missed Backyard project, trumpeter Gary Alesbrook brews awesomely funky original jazz with this rocking 5-piece supergroup that also includes soul diva Marie Lister (vocals),  Andy Nowak (keys) and the Saffron Monkey rhythm powerhouse of Richie Blake … Continue reading →

Ubiquitous ivory-tinkler and Magnificent Seven mainman Mike Willox reveals his inner lounge lizard as he takes this opportunity in the spotlight to explore his wide-ranging repertoire of jazz tunes and arrangements amidst a fine trio of Bristol Jazzers. Followed By  … Continue reading →

An open jazz jam session for seasoned players to join the house trio and others in exploring classic jazz & latin tunes.

As much a guitarist as a singer/songwriter, Leo James draws on the roots of English and US folk in writing his material before adding impeccable finger-picking and swooping steel guitar and delivering it all in a nicely polished package. http://www.myspace.com/leojamesmusic

Welcome return of this jazz pianist, formerly of this parish, who’s lately released a new album ‘Imaginary Friends’ and brings his peppery quartet of Gary Alesbrook (trumpet), John Short (bass) and Greg White (drums) to showcase his new material. http://andychristie.zimbalam.com/

Far from tying him down, multi-instrumentalist Anthar Khantara’s deep love for his Colombian musical heritage gives him the courage to explore new ways to take it forward without losing the music’s soul. Blessed with amazing vocal versatility and a fine … Continue reading →

This superstar combo of Bristolian jazzers is an ongoing celebration of the late local hero George, a great sax player and tunesmith with a carnival soul, ensuring that his lively, danceable Caribbean street-jazz isn’t lost to the party people still … Continue reading →

Ace crew of groove mechanics looking to the future of funk via the illustrious past of Bootsy Collins, George Clinton and the whole cosmic psychedelia thing that launched a thousand (space)ships with true galactic sparkle.

Something very special straight out of the South African townships: a massive all-singing, all-dancing, all-drumming collective of schoolchildren touring the UK to share their talents and raise funds to provide solar panels for their school in KwaZulu-Natal. http://www.projectzulu.org

Our dusky-voiced hostess welcomes another stylish female singer in the shape of Nell, soulful vocalist of this funk-folk extravaganza. Taking their inspiration from Chic and Prince there’s a brilliant coming together of folk-rootsiness with soul sensibility in everything they do. … Continue reading →

You don’t just watch this alt-folk troupe – there’s something about the music hall exuberance of their cabaret-folk songs and enthusiastic performances that makes singalong choruses kind of inevitable – and fun. http://harrybirdandtherubberwellies.bandcamp.com/

Spinning off from the irrepressible Zen Hussies this lot build a uniquely jaunty swing sound around  Charlotte Ostafew’s baritone sax, Seb Gutiez’ guitar, Tom Allen’s bass and John Blakeley’s all-important swing-beat drumming. Blending originality with a fine sense of musical … Continue reading →

Tireless tyro of the jazz saxophone Ben Waghorn is not a player to be taken lightly, whether for his  lyrical soprano, bop-blasting alto, roof-rattling tenor or seismic baritone. He covers the waterfront , in short,  without even breaking sweat – … Continue reading →

The great Howly makes proper hard-bitten country/rock infused with a strangely appropriate Englishness and driven by punchy guitar. Factor in the rough honesty of his  impassioned vocals and heart-catching harmonica and you get ann idea of why we love him. … Continue reading →

The sound of Senegal has always been a favourite flavour here at Canteen so this London-based fusion of West African tradition with bass-boosting synths and electro-dub production should have no trouble getting the Saturday party started http://fofoulah.bandcamp.com

These three musicians from the good ol’  US of A specialise in Junkerdash, a kind of moonshine distillation of American folk, blues and popular music heard on the wind from a fire lit swamp any time in the last fifty … Continue reading →

An open jazz jam session for seasoned players to join the house trio and others in exploring classic jazz & latin tunes.

Sizzling virtuoso Jon Hicks can somehow create the intricate melodies and relentless rhythms of a full-on ceilidh band from his solo acoustic guitar and rich repertoire of traditional Irish jigs and reels. http://jonhicks.net  

With the crispest of rhythm sections – Neil Smith (guitar), Jon Short (bass) and John Blakeley (drums) – saxophonist Dino Christodoulou weaves his own soundtrack ranging from classic modern jazz to Cypriot wedding dances and Greek traditional tunes, all explored … Continue reading →

Push back the tables for this one – stomping Jewish wedding band music given its head by an 8-piece powerhouse from Cardiff. With the classic 2-beat swingstep rhythm and wild excesses of clarinet and trumpet only the severely distracted could … Continue reading →

And we’re talking Jaques Brel here, people: the timeless (and dead) Belgian genius of barbed chanson. Beloved of Scott Walker and others, Brel’s epic songs have rarely had so wonderfully irreverent a tribute as the one this lot give him, … Continue reading →

Bringing the values of classic dub production into a rockier frame of mind, this brass-bedecked 7-piece from Suffolk pack a mighty dance floor punch by way of crafty arrangements and show-off guitar. http://www.solko.co.uk/

Singer-songwriter Russell Swallow has a jaunty way with a tune and his heart appropriately on his sleeve at all times. Tom Robinson, no less, called him ‘an acoustic evangelist’. Nuff said. http://www.facebook.com/RussellSwallow

This versatile singer/songwriter draws on a definitely English heritage with echoes of Nick Drake and Richard Thompson in his original tunes. Guy is perhaps best known as a guitarist and bass player in outfits like Dub From Atlantis, Jazz Reggae … Continue reading →

Sometime Blues engine of the Dirty Harmonics, guitarist/singer Thomas Ford’s solo shows conjure up country blues and delta grooving magic. http://www.reverbnation.com/thomasford

An open jazz jam session for seasoned players to join the house trio and others in exploring classic jazz & latin tunes.

Remarkable self-taught pianist Jack Pescod has absorbed a wealth of influences and ideas from jazz, classical and Indian traditions into a personal fusion of composed and improvised music that’s as welcome at a classical festival like Aldeburgh as it is … Continue reading →

There’s an earthy grounding to the way that James Ladd delivers his acoustic soul-funk songs that gives them a timeless sound, reflecting echoes of country blues, contemporary R’n’B and old-time swampy stuff from New Orleans.

It’s a crazy notion – taking the richly funky Afrobeat of Fela Kuti and arranging it for an 11-piece orchestra of jazz and classical musicians – and maybe only the Italians could have pulled it off. But there’s no arguing … Continue reading →

Lively 8-piece combo making a fine mix of old-school chops and modern musical ideas shaking up ski, funk and reggae into a snappy and satisfying ridge-cut snack feast. http://www.reverbnation.com/crinklecuts

An emerging voice on the London soul-jazz scene, singer/songwriter Monique Thomas brings a big-hearted gospel sincerity to everything she does. Debut album ‘Unbroken’ made big waves around the radio stations and now she’s touring to bring her ‘contemporary old-school’ soulfulness … Continue reading →

Ace violinist and Balkaneer Fiona Barrow selects a choice ensemble of acoustic musicians to join her for an unpredictable voyage into the wider realms of improvisation, drawing on folk, jazz and global musical ideas to create a whole new palette … Continue reading →