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Think piece

Reflections, thoughts, musings, jottings, dreams.

Think piece

What makes a good live jazz album?

There isn’t a definition. But I can show you one eminently eligible candidate.

ByStephen Graham13 October 2026
library shelves filled with books
Think piece

It’s the work, not the label

Thoughts on how you get your new music out there when there are so many possibilities. One size doesn't fit all

ByStephen Graham11 June 2026
tues 23 sep 25 marlbank playlist
Think piece

In the marlbank mix – the latest podcast and a playlist

Check out what's new

ByStephen Graham1 June 2026
Think piece

It’s pushing at an open door to discover Irish jazz.

There’s plenty of talent out there but precious little coverage to reflect and represent this flowering.

ByStephen Graham27 February 2026
aerial photography of gray houses
Think piece

Composition is a way out of the cul-de-sac, an exit from the grind, futureproofed for the long game

"It's the work, dear boy, it's the work"

ByStephen Graham2 January 2026
Think piece

Kind of Keith

At last amid the gloom a renewed sense of Belonging emerges plus an Irish jazz resurgence and we are on the cusp...

ByStephen Graham28 October 2025
young man studying at night with lamp light
Think piece

Marking your own homework

Let's not stifle genuine reaction or smother it in schmooze. You can make decent points even if the direction happens to be...

ByStephen Graham19 September 2025
Think piece

Tributes To Some

Never regret thy fall, / O Icarus of the fearless flight / For the greatest tragedy of them all / is never...

ByStephen Graham29 August 2025
Think piece

Poor year for the art of the piano trio

A few thoughts on a select few piano trios that prove exceptions to the idea that 2025 hasn't been a great year...

ByStephen Graham15 August 2025
Think piece

Why jazz?

Well. What, jazzer, jazz lover. Fellow shuffler in the anorakerie, gets you up in the morning? Hoking in the bins, perhaps. That's...

ByStephen Graham8 August 2025
Think piece

Jazz In Trump’s America Is Under Attack

Trump is no friend of jazz and more to the point the music is under attack again when artistic leaders like Jason...

ByStephen Graham11 July 2025
Think piece

What makes for great jazz club programming?

The wrong place for the right people - in the words of the great Barney Josephson of Cafe Society renown "you have...

ByStephen Graham4 July 2025
person wearing a checkered shirt in the record store
Think piece

Friday column: How does a member of the public perceive jazz?

''Recognisability'' in the general unengaged public's eyes is completely at odds with what the reality of jazz is to people who are...

ByStephen Graham27 June 2025
Think pieceThis just in

The Friday jazz letter – a popular recipe of a messenger

The start of a New Friday column. Look out for the next one on the 27th. Today's theme - a welcome pluralism....

ByStephen Graham20 June 2025
Welcome all

Further reading

Top jazz albums so far in 2026Top jazz albums so far in 202626 October 2026Stephen Graham
A look ahead to Dominic Miller's beautiful bandoneón flavoured latest album DianaA look ahead to Dominic Miller's beautiful bandoneón flavoured latest album Diana25 October 2026Stephen Graham
UK - 2026 - best of jazz... so farUK - 2026 - best of jazz... so far25 October 2026Stephen Graham
The number to call is +44(0)7961 672318
www.marlbank.net
Contact Stephen Graham
stephen@marlbank.net

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