The week in jazz – October 31 – November 6

It’s going to be a busy month for all kinds of jazz and this week sets the pace with a wide ranging choice of style (and the inevitable hard choices). Things are especially interesting at the hipster end of the jazz spectrum with Gilles Petersen’s latest faves Yussef Kamaal (pictured above) coming to the Lantern (Friday 4). The duo will launch their debut album on the night but have already wowed critics and sold out Ronnie Scott’s with a contemporary urban sound driven by Yussef Dayes’ smart and snappy drumming and Kamaal Williams’ command of samples and electronics more widely known through his alter ego Henry Wu. They follow on the heels of The Mouse Outfit’s more blatantly hip-hop style at The Fleece (Thursday 3). The Manchester crew blend jazz chops and grooves to provide the soundtrack to their laid back rapping.

It’s unfortunate that Yussef Kamaal’s gig coincides with Run Logan Run (above) appearing at the Cube (Friday 4) as the improvisatory sax and drums duo are likely to appeal to a similar audience thanks to a knowing sound that echoes aspects of contemporary dance music. Vintage dance music, on the other hand, will be plentifully supplied that evening when Jools Holland brings his Rhythm & Blues Orchestra for the first of two nights at the Colston Hall (Friday 4, Saturday 5). 

And the Friday night pile-up also includes John Donegan Quartet marking the return to the Bebop Club of a once familiar face. Before he moved up to London John’s lively piano was the energy in quite a few local combos and the band includes drummer Simon Gore who was a member of his band back in the day, They are joined by the ever-admirable saxophone of Ben Waghorn and Greg Cordez on bass for what should be a hard swinging set including many of John’s own tunes.

But whichever of the Friday gigs you pick you should be able to catch guitarist Mark Lawrence (above) in early evening action with the organ-driven Groovelator at the Colston Hall Foyer. With Hammond organn maestro John-paul Gard behind the keys it’s an authentic recreation of a classic blues and gospel jazz age and a marked contrast to Mark’s earlier performance at the Fringe free music session (The Fringe, Monday 31) where he’ll be going hell-for-leather with improvisation guitar veteran Phil Gibbs. 

Finally a couple of saxophone treats for fans of the reeds: Wednesday (2) sees the Josh Kemp Quartet at The Fringe with his cool and stylish sax framed by an organ quartet that also includes the excellent drumming of Tim Giles while Thursday’s Future Inn session showcases the Jake McMurchie Quartet ,a new project from the busy Get The Blessing/Sefrial/Michelson Morley saxophonist that features guitarist Dan Waldman and which mixes unlikely composers like Nick Drake and Tom Waits with originals and jazz standards.

But the month is still young and if you’re not spending it up at the London Jazz Festival it may well pay you to look (and book) ahead for some of the local events: after all the Colston Hall’s Robert Glasper gig (Nov 19) and St George’s GoGo Penguin night (Nov 8) are already sold out. Other big dates to look out for include Bad Plus (Colston Hall Nov 7), Andrew Bain ( Hen & Chicken Nov 13), Phronesis (St George’s , Nov 15), Damon Brown (Hen & Chicken Nov 20) and Dominic Howles feat. Dave O’Higgins (Hen & Chicken Nov 27). Happy clicking!