Jo Harrop hits Brighton on Saturday night. See top jazz of the year thus far.
Guy Barker Big Band Ronnie Scott's, London Tuesday-Thursday
Unfurling ''Inferno 67,'' an 18-piece big band figure plus Danny Sapani as narrator with singers Vanessa Haynes and Joe Stilgoe. The story and script are by novelist Robert Ryan who has a must read regular jazz column in the Camden New Journal. A Ryan thriller inspired trumpeter Guy Barker's piece 'Underdogs' a tune that appeared on his classic - and very hard to find online - Mercury nominated 2001 Provocateur issued album, Soundtrack.
Mahuki feat. Soweto Kinch Peggy's Skylight, Nottingham Wednesday
Gratitude is pretty decent and a light and breezy listen from the Scottish band Mahuki debuting. It's accessible, fun and bright. Czech-born guitarist and composer Honza Kourimsky is the main instigator and tunesmith. The blend is something like: add a dash of fairly funky jazz-rock, Eastern European folk and more. Members include trumpeter James Brady and the presence of guesting alto sax and MC icon Soweto ''Conversations with the Unseen'' Kinch will surely up the ante further. Mahuki take the tunes beyond sheer riffery and don't just sink into grooves. Personality? Kourimsky and pals show plenty.
Atlantic Road Trip The Blue Lamp, Aberdeen Thursday
The Frome based Danish bassist Henrik Jensen's Above Your House out next month marks the return of the Babel label after a hiatus of 4 years. Playing Cardiff's Flute and Tankard the night before this Bristol appearance the upcoming album features along with Jensen pianist Esben Tjalve and Robert Plant drummer Dave Smith. Tunes are by Jensen and fellow Dane Tjalve. The pair met in the early-2000s in Copenhagen before going over to study at London's Royal Academy of Music. The bassist tells us: ''Esben has played on all my Followed By Thirteen albums, and I love his energy and creativity, always trying to push it, and he's a wonderful composer, which can be heard in his own group Red Kite''. Jensen on moving to Somerset got reconnected with Smith who had already been there for a couple of years. The Jensen trio are also in Birmingham on Friday.
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