Jazzwise

Welcome to the UK’s biggest selling jazz monthly. Jazzwise has been at the heart of the global jazz scene since the magazine’s launch in 1997, changing the way jazz publications look and think for the last two decades, with a stunning editorial and design package that reaches out worldwide to both the new jazz audience and established fans – qualities that have led to it winning Jazz Publication of the Year at the Parliamentary Jazz Awards, the Ronnie Scott’s Jazz Awards and the Jazz FM Awards.

Jazzwise

Winter warmer: Bath Jazz Weekend returns in January 2024 with a bumper line-up

Ambrose Akinmusire to debut on Nonesuch with Owl Song album

Trish Clowes and Ross Stanley Duo project among Stoney Lane Records' 2024 releases

Editor’s Note

Rosie Frater-Taylor returns with ‘punchy’ new album Featherweight

Heavenly Halvorson ascends with Cloudward

BACK IN THE DAY…

New Regency Orchestra announce dates ahead of 2024 debut album

FUTURE MOVERS • Highlighting serious talent bubbling under the radar….

Gregory Porter TAKES 5 • The Grammy Award-winning singer selects the five albums he can’t live without. But he admits it’s difficult, saying with a hearty laugh, “It’s really kind of a cruel question as I’m going through my record collection!”

85 YEARS AGO Johnny Hodges

Carla Bley: 11/05/1936 – 17/10/2023

DUKE AND THE CARIBBEAN CONNECTION

Albums of the Year: Critics Poll 2023

Songs in the key of life • Even as a teenager, saxophonist Alex Clarke wasn’t afraid to make big-life-changing decisions. Now, with a thriving career as a road-toughened bandleader and experienced educator still in her twenties, Peter Vacher met her to find out more

The French connection • With a career spanning movie soundtracks and top-level session work, French horn virtuoso Jim Rattigan has done it all – and is now leaping into a second life as a high-flying jazz musician. Alyn Shipton caught up with him as he releases an impressive triple album

DUKE ELLINGTON THE REGAL REVOLUTIONARY • In a special extended feature to mark the 100th anniversary of the formation of the Duke Ellington Jazz Orchestra, Stuart Nicholson reveals how the roots of this towering composer’s revolutionary approach to jazz extended far beyond the notes on the page; Nikki Iles, Gary Crosby, Gregory Porter and Guy Barker salute their hero, and Brian Priestley examines Duke’s pianistic prowess and recommends his 10 essential recordings

“STREETS AHEAD OF ANYONE AT THE TIME” • UK composer and bandleader NIKKI ILES discusses Duke’s enduring influence

“GROOVE, FUNK, AVANT-GARDE, MODAL, SWING ALL OWE SO MUCH TO HIM” • GARY CROSBY OBE, Co-Founder and Artistic Director of Tomorrow’s Warriors describes what Ellington’s music means to him

“ONE OF THE MOST EXCITING SOUNDS I HAD EVER HEARD!” • Trumpeter, composer, arranger and bandleader GUY BARKER recalls his own journey of discovery with Ellington’s music…

PIANO MAN • As a composer and bandleader, Ellington’s reputation is unassailable. But what about Duke as a pianist? Brian Priestley argues that the maestro was one of the most distinctive and important keysmen in the history of jazz

The ESSENTIAL ELLINGTON • The Ducal discography is vast – countless 78s and hundreds of albums. So how do you start? Our Ellington expert Brian Priestley is your guide… here he selects 10 crucial albums which should form the cornerstones of your collection

A Sacred Sermon: The 'Lost' Ellington Interview • In February 1967, Duke Ellington and his Orchestra played a sacred concert in Great St Mary's, the University Church in Cambridge, to an audience of students and local jazz buffs. In attendance was Howard Gannaway, an undergraduate and photographer for the university...