The much-anticipated Festival, which runs from 13 – 24 November, is well-known among both jazz enthusiasts and novices alike for its hugely eclectic range of musical genres under the banner of jazz, including funk, soul, blues, indie, folk, rock and punk, and this year is no exception.
Kicking off this year’s Festival at the Cambridge Junction on 13 November is Renegade Brass Band + The Ashton Jones Project. Described by BBC 6 Music’s Chris Hawkins as, “Off. The. Scale!” and “The best wakeup call ever” and BBC Radio 2’s Craig Charles as, “Probably the best brass band working out of Britain!” Renegade Brass Band combines a big brass sound with raw hip-hop vocals and beats. The band has built a huge live reputation as a headline act at festivals and continues to play packed-out shows at venues around the world. Their unique sound and energy have seen them support acts such De La Soul, Busta Rhymes, Grandmaster Flash, Public Enemy, The Cat Empire, Jamie Cullum, Quantic, Craig Charles and many more.
Ashton Jones is one of the UK’s most promising funk, soul vocalists and songwriters, rapidly becoming known for his vibrant and dynamic live performances. His group, The Ashton Jones Project, features some of the UK’s most talented and burgeoning musicians, whose live performance credits include artists such as Cory Wong, Beverley Knight, Joss Stone and Pee Wee Ellis.
Another performance tipped to dazzle audiences this year is from the Marius Neset Quintet (Saturday Nov 23rd, Mumford Theatre, Anglia Ruskin University). Saxophonist Marius Neset continues to enthral audiences across Europe with his exemplary technique, energetic creativity, imagination and virtuosity on tenor and soprano saxophones. The Telegraph says of him, ‘Marius Neset is a marvel. He makes his instrument dance like a gazelle and soar like an eagle.’
This year’s Festival also features several lead female performers. Top picks include:
- Georgia Mancio Quartet (Nov 15th, Tamburlaine Hotel). Award-winning jazz vocalist, lyricist and producer Georgia Mancio is one of Europe’s most respected, adventurous and multi-faceted new artists. This year saw the launch of her seventh album, Finding Home, which follows her seminal Songbook (2017) co-written with Grammy-winning pianist/composer Alan Broadbent and launched at a sold-out headline show at Ronnie Scott’s.
- SEED Ensemble (pictured) (Nov 17th, Storey's Field Centre). Combining jazz with inner-city London, West African and Caribbean influenced groove, SEED Ensemble’s line-up is packed with London’s fresh new talent. Mercury Prize Nominees 2019, SEED Ensemble is a 10-piece band led by alto saxophonist and composer Cassie Kinoshi. The Clash describe her as ‘a striking instrumentalist, a musician able to reinterpret material on the fly, while injecting brave new elements in the process…’
- Yazz Ahmed ‘Polyhymnia’ (Nov 19th, Cambridge Junction). Celebrated British-Bahraini trumpeter Yazz Ahmed, who has played with the likes of Radiohead, Nile Rogers and Lee Scratch Perry, describes her own music as ‘psychedelic Arabic jazz, intoxicating and compelling’. Polyhymnia is a suite she created for Southbank Centre’s Women of the World festival and is inspired by some of Ahmed’s heroes: Malala Yousafzai, Rosa Parks, civil rights activist Ruby Bridges and more. Performed with a full 12-piece ensemble, Polyhymnia is a tribute to these inspiring women. Yazz’s last album garnered rave reviews and made many ‘Best of 2017’ lists around the world – this is one to watch!
A further three events celebrate the legacy of some of the biggest names in jazz:
- Routes in Jazz ’The Music of Dizzy Reece’ (Sunday Nov 17th, Storey's Field Centre), featuring a quartet that includes award-winning British trumpeter Byron Wallen and led by renowned pianist Trevor Watkis. This event is a musical celebration of Dizzy Reece, an acclaimed jazz trumpeter from Jamaica, who has led a prolific career for over 70 years. Dizzy Reece began his ascent into the jazz scene initially cutting his teeth among the best musicians in London in the 1950’s, including Tubby Hayes, Ronnie Scott and Victor Feldman. His unique approach to his instrument and blistering yet warm tone captured the attention of the iconic Blue Note Records label executives, where he recorded four albums.
- Mads Mathias & Cambridge University Jazz Orchestra: A Tribute to Nat King Cole (Friday Nov 22, West Road Concert Hall). This year marks 100 years since the birth of one of the greats, Nat King Cole. Denmark’s leading male jazz volcalist, Mads Mathias presents a special concert with Cambridge University Jazz Orchestra (CUJO) to honour and celebrate Nat King Cole’s life and music. Described by Danish publication Gaffa as ‘an international star in the making’, Mads Mathias is a vocalist, songwriter and saxophonist who has captured the hearts of music lovers with his charismatic performances, spirited personality and creative original songs.
- Black Voices Quintet present 'The Soul of Nina Simone’ (Sunday Nov 24, Storey's Field Centre). Celebrating the end of the Festival is the unmatched Black Voices Quintet who performs the greatest and most powerful numbers from the repertoire of one of the 20th century’s most seminal artists, Nina Simone. Founded by a group of musicians and scholars in 1987 with the mission statement to preserve black oral music traditions, Black Voices Quintet have performed to Nelson Mandela at Royal Albert Hall and played alongside Nina Simone herself, as well as Miriam Makeba, Ray Charles and Hugh Masekela.
Speaking ahead of their event, BVQ said: “Nina Simone is an artist whose uncompromising stance for social inclusion could not be more relevant in today’s climate. Black Voices had the honour of supporting her in concert many times- This show will allow us to explore and celebrate her great legacy in a totally new way.”
The following top picks round off a hugely diverse programme:
- The Brand New Heavies (Nov 14, Cambridge Junction). Pioneers of the London Acid Jazz scene, The Brand New Heavies have been responsible for some of the UK’s biggest R&B / Soul tracks, scoring 16 top 40 singles including Dream On Dreamer, Never Stop, and Midnight at the Oasis, as well as over two million album sales. They have recently launched their brand-new album TNBH, which features guest appearances from Beverley Knight, N'Dea Davernport, Angie Stone, Siedah Garret, Laville, and more. The lead single from the album is a cover of the Kendrick Lamar song These Walls lovingly produced by Mark Ronson.
- Julia Hülsmann Quartet (Nov 15th, Gonville & Caius College). German pianist Julia Hülsmann joins the Cambridge Jazz Festival’s programme marking the 50th anniversary of seminal record label ECM’s inception and the 10th anniversary of London Jazz News.
For the full line-up of artists, workshops, talks and films visit the Festival website
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