Latest stories
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New Release Round-Up - 16th May 2025
16th May 2025by Maddy Allison
Brand new releases this week include Chet Baker Re:imagined, bringing fresh voices to classic songs, while Béla Fleck’s BEATrio fuses global sounds with bold improvisation. Lucía is a fresh self-titled debut from the Mexican-born singer and both Andrea Rinciari and Eric Scott Reed offer a unique, modern spin on jazz tradition.
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Eric Scott Reed on Out Late
13th May 2025by Maddy Allison
From his new album Out Late to chocolate cake recipes, the American pianist and composer joins me to discuss all things jazz.
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Brandon Woody - For The Love Of It All
9th May 2025by Maddy Allison
Baltimore trumpet player Brandon Woody delivers a striking debut album, with music designed to move, liberate and inspire connection. Through six original pieces, Woody transports listeners with the help of his band, Upendo.
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New Release Round-Up - 9th May 2025
9th May 2025by Maddy Allison
Genre-defying artists is certainly the theme for this week’s set of new releases: from the ambient sounds of Glasgow DJ/producer Rebecca Vasmant to the eclectic music of The Action 4s and the Horst Hansen Trio. For more traditional sounds, the latest from jazz trio Brigitte Beraha, Alan Barnes and Barry Green captures all the intimacy and elegance.
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Happy 80th Birthday, Keith Jarrett!
8th May 2025by Maddy Allison
To celebrate the 80th birthday of one of the most influential and pioneering musicians in jazz, we assemble this essential guide to the albums of the one and only Keith Jarrett.
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Emmalisa Hallander - Out of Reach
2nd May 2025by Maddy Allison
Up-and-coming Swedish vocalist Emmalisa Hallander releases her second album Out of Reach, a collection of unique originals that hark back to the vocal jazz sounds of the mid-twentieth century.
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New Release Round-Up - 2nd May 2025
2nd May 2025by Maddy Allison
From jazz-rock to the new ECM supergroup, there are plenty of releases this week that are certain to capture your ear.
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Shai Maestro on Solo: Miniatures & Tales
29th Apr 2025by Maddy Allison
The jazz pianist discusses his first venture into solo piano work for his new project Solo: Miniatures & Tales, exploring the breadth of composition with both short improvisations and longer, previously developed compositions.
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Jazz FM Awards 2025: Winners
25th Apr 2025by Maddy Allison
On Thursday evening, Jazz FM celebrated the best of jazz, soul and blues and honoured recipients by presenting them with their respective awards. Check out the winners now!
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New Release Round-Up - 25th April 2025
25th Apr 2025by Maddy Allison
Powerful arrangements from pianist Janette Mason, new offerings from Norway musicians Daniel Herskedal and Bugge Wesseltoft, and a classic easy listening sound from Hollywood regular Jeff Goldblum all make for the exciting new releases this week.
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Janette Mason on ReWired
23rd Apr 2025by Maddy Allison
Pianist, composer and arranger Janette Mason has had an illustrious career. We discuss her latest project ReWired, take a closer look at her musical influences and achievements, and delve into her innate ability to arrange even the most familiar of tunes and turn them into something refreshing and new.
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Hakan Başar - Maiden Voyage
18th Apr 2025by Maddy Allison
Recording his debut album at only fifteen years old, Hakan Başar is a jazz pianist that should be on everyone’s radar (if he isn’t already). Now at twenty, he presents his new album Maiden Voyage with Red Records, a fantastic collection of familiar tunes that have been adapted and reshaped for his piano trio.
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New Release Round-Up - 18th April 2025
18th Apr 2025by Maddy Allison
Grammy winner Rhiannon Giddens explores fiddle and banjo traditions, guitarist Charlie Ballantine blends Americana roots with jazz, and vocalist Angela Verbrugge delivers soft yet stylistic nuance when undertaking familiar melodies.
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Paolo Fresu - Kind of MILES
11th Apr 2025by Maddy Allison
Paolo Fresu crafts a theatrical concert surrounding the legacy of Miles Davis, featuring classic material and brand new originals composed by Fresu himself. Separated into acoustic and electric sets, the Italian trumpeter and his ensemble celebrate the spirit and musical genius of the Prince of Darkness, all whilst keeping it personal and innovative.
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New Release Round-Up -11th April 2025
11th Apr 2025by Maddy Allison
This week the Kwashibu Area Band blend Ghanaian Highlife with jazz, reggae and dub influences, Melbourne trumpeter Niran Dasika looks to science fiction for inspiration, and Blue Note’s Gerald Clayton experiments with turntablism. The ensemble Enemy explore material new and old, and singer Savina Yannatou dedicates her new ECM album to the element of water.
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Hiromi's Sonicwonder - Out There
4th Apr 2025by Maddy Allison
Hiromi's Sonicwonder return in their thrilling new album Out There. With fusion sounds that meet classical, funk, ska and more, Hiromi demonstrates her flair and virtuosic piano playing alongside a stellar ensemble.
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New Release Round-Up - 4th April 2025
4th Apr 2025by Maddy Allison
This week’s releases include the new album from pianist Yaron Herman, Hiromi’s Sonicwonder delivers a dazzling follow up album to their 2023 debut, and Burt Bacharach is given a jazz twist by the Swedish ensemble Alfie! Saxophonist Uli Kempendorff releases his explorative free jazz album with Unit Records and the folk-jazz ensemble Goleine make their debut.
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Yaron Herman on Radio Paradise
1st Apr 2025by Maddy Allison
Pianist and composer Yaron Herman talks about his new album with Naive Records, Radio Paradise, as well as sharing his thoughts on the notion of creativity.
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Anouar Brahem - After The Last Sky
28th Mar 2025by Maddy Allison
Anouar Brahem returns to ECM in After the Last Sky, titled after a Palestinian line of verse. Poignant and melancholic, Brahem’s new project is deeply reflective and draws on a variety of musical influences for compositions that are crafted for oud, cello, piano and bass
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New Release Round-Up - 28th March 2025
28th Mar 2025by Maddy Allison
This week sees a fusion release from Michael Bladt and the Aarhus Jazz Orchestra, a new duo in the form of rising saxophonist Emma Rawicz and pianist Gwilym Simcock, and Billy Marrows debuts his live concert recording. Sultan Stevenson continues his exploration of faith and identity in his second release with Edition Records, and Keith Jarrett’s 1974 album gets a revamp with the Branford Marsalis Quartet.