This year the EFG London Jazz Festival presents a celebration of some of the greatest jazz legends.
With performances from many of the UK’s finest musicians, the Festival pays tribute to Pharaoh Sanders, who has just turned 80, Charlie Parker on his 100th anniversary and Jaco Pastorius. BBC FOUR also presents Ronnie’s: Ronnie Scott's & his World-Famous Jazz Club in the Festival, and the Barbican Cinema screens Billie, a documentary about the life of Billie Holiday.
SEED Ensemble Celebrating the music of Pharoah Sanders
Barbican, live + streamed on Saturday 14 November.
Celebrating the life and work of spiritual jazz icon Pharoah Sanders, the Mercury Award-nominated SEED Ensemble perform from his much revered repertoire. Led by alto saxophonist Cassie Kinoshi, the lineup features trumpeter Sheila Maurice-Grey (Kokoroko) and guitarist Shirley Tetteh with special guests just confirmed: Shabaka Hutchings, Ashley Henry, Richie Sievwright and Yahael Camara Onono. This live show is completely sold out: tickets remain available for the livestream.
Tomorrow’s Warriors present Charlie Parker Songbook
Church of Sound, free stream on Friday 20 November.
Two pillars of the London jazz scene, Tomorrow’s Warriors + Church of Sound, join forces for the first time in celebration of Charlie Parker’s 100th
anniversary, with a specially curated set from Bird’s songbook, performed by some of Tomorrow’s Warriors finest alumni, Nathaniel Facey (saxophone), Shirley Tetteh (guitar), Moses Boyd (drums) and led by Gary Crosby, who makes a rare live appearance on upright bass.
Gwilym Simcock: Tribute to Jaco Pastorius
606 Club, on 19 November
Recently touring with guitarist Pat Metheny and described by Chick Corea as “a creative genius”, pianist Gwilym Simcock performs his Tribute to Jaco Pastorius, dedicated to the iconic US bass player, accompanied by two musicians of international standing – bass guitar player Laurence Cottle (Van Morrison, Bill Bruford) and drummer Ian Thomas (Eric Clapton, Sting).
Billie
Barbican Cinema, on 15 November
A gala screening of the thought-provoking and potent film, directed by James Erskine, that documents the tumultuous life, career and spirit of the iconic Billie Holiday.
Ronnie Scott & his World-Famous Jazz Club
BBC FOUR, TX date tbc.
This documentary ocuses on a legend of the UK jazz scene in Ronnie’s:
