London Jazz Festival

The first London Jazz Festival took place in 1993. From the very beginning, experimental work, commissions, workshops and educational events all played a part in setting the agenda for a festival that would develop over the next ten years to have an impact across the whole city.

It was to be a Jazz festival that didn't just have Jazz in it, but looked at Jazz's antecedents and connections with Caribbean, Latin, African, Indian and European music. Jazz was to be a touchstone, with musical ideas moving between, or colliding with, other genres. What has set the Festival apart has been its constant attempts to mix the familiar with new, tradition with experiment, one culture with another.

The Festival also branches out to other venues including the Wigmore Hall, the Arts Depot, The Royal Academy of Arts and Wapping Project. As well as dozens of concerts across some of London's major concert halls, the festival celebrates the clubs and independent producers that keep the flame burning year round. A mass of new work and collaborations can be heard in London's Jazz clubs and the extensive PizzaExpress FreeStage programme.

The immensely successful new writers' initiative continues for another year and is again looking for aspiring or semi-professional journalists to take part. In partnership with the South Bank Centre, BBC Radio 3, and Jazzwise magazine, Jazz enthusiasts will have the opportunity to work with professional journalists to improve their writing skills, receive insights into career paths and develop an understanding of Jazz criticism. Professionals involved include writer and broadcaster Kevin LeGendre and Jazzwise's Publishing Editor Jon Newey. As well as writing seminars, the initiative also includes attending lots of concerts.

Among the 2011 artists schedualed to perform were McCoy Tyner, Steve Swallow, Roy Haynes, Bill Frisell, Robert Glasper, Steve Coleman, Buck Clayton, Archie Shepp, Joachim Kuhn, Chris Potter, Roy Eldridge, Charlie Shavers, Martial Solal, Ian Shaw, Sarah Jane Morris, Alison Krauss, Jerry Douglas, Gretchen Parlato, Hermeto Pascoal, Mopomoso, Duck Baker, Stefano Bollani, Soothsayers, Beats & Pieces, Portico Quartet, The Necks, Henry Threadgill, Jacqui Dankworth, Emir Kusturica, Tim Whitehead, Fringe Magnetic, Down To The Bone, Cesaria Evora, Jerry Dammers, Peter King, Abdullah Ibrahim, Charles Gayle, Han Bennink, Andy Sheppard, John Parricelli, Richard Galliano, Abram Wilson, Marcin Wasilewski, Phil Robson, Mark Turne, Christine Tobin, Mark Lockheart, Matthew Halsall, Liane Carroll, Kayhan Kalhor, Juliet Kelly, Jonny Phillip, Gill Manly, Jose James, Martin Taylor, Ray Gelato, Stephan Micus, Zakir Hussain and more.

The 2011 London Jazz Festival was held November 11 to 20.

Related Links:
• London Jazz Festival - Official website.
• Other Jazz Festivals - AP4J Festival Guide