Magnus Lindgren and John Beasley play Stuttgart on Thursday night.
- Julian Sartorius Moods, Zurich Tuesday 21 May
New peaks? Drummer percussionist Julian Sartorius launches Domodossola – Weissmies.
- Jesse Cook Porgy and Bess, Vienna Tues 21 May
- Stacey Kent Jassmine, Warsaw Tues 21 May, Wednesday 22 May
Both shows are sold out. Stacey Kent's latest album 2023's Summer Me Winter Me had arrangements by the duchess' husband saxophonist-flautist Jim Tomlinson the anchor the album relies on. Tracks mine a classic era where jazz became the soundtrack of arthouse films and a certain very classy nostalgia was included for no extra charge. Opening with a breezy version of Michel Legrand and the Bergmans' 'Summer Me, Winter Me' Stacey sings in French on another Legrand classic 'La Valse des Lilas' and again you land on one of the chief plus points on a Stacey Kent record: that stately feeling of a lost era and a tempo that takes all the time in the world. Jacques Brel's 'If You Go Away' is sung in two versions, one in English one in French. Quintessential Stacey Kent then - and while not a classic in her discography (for these go to The Changing Lights or Dreamer In Concert first) this move to new label Naïve still means business as usual for a remarkable singer who has a sound completely her own.
- Jazzmeia Horn Bimhuis, Amsterdam Wed 22 May
The acclaimed US singer Jazzmeia Horn was certainly formidable guesting on Orrin Evans' The Red Door on the 2023 released song 'Big Small.'
- Jane Monheit Porgy & Bess, Vienna Wed 22 May
- Camille Thurman Fasching, Stockholm Wed 22 May
US saxist/singer Camille Thurman plays the Swedish capital's foremost jazz club with trumpeter Wallace Roney Jr., pianist David Bryant, bassist Paul Beaudry and drummer Darrell Green.
- John Beasley and Magnus Lindgren Bix, Stuttgart Thursday 23 May
Playing from Butterfy Effect this stellar duo - US pianist John Beasley best known for his MONK'estra - jump up to speed with his Resonance label 2021 Hear and Now Best-of perhaps but hear Beasley with reedist/flautist the Swede Magnus Lindgren most relevantly together on 2021's work with the SWR, the local Stuttgart radio station jazzband's Grammy winning album, Bird Lives.
- Jim Rotondi and David Sauzay Quintet Sounds, Brussels Thurs 23 May
- Zara McFarlane & Giacomo Smith Le duc des Lombards, Paris Thurs 23 May, Friday 24 May
Tribute to Sarah Vaughan on the centenary of Sassy's birth from acclaimed east London singer Zara McFarlane and erstwhile Hackney jazz club Kansas Smitty's clarinet kingpin Giacomo Smith.
Jim Rotondi and David Sauzay Quintet Sunside, Paris Fri 24 May
Julien Desprez and Abacaxi Domicil, Dortmund Fri 24 May
Huh? Abacaxi is Portuguese for pineapple, natch.
- Caroline Davis Quartet Stadtgarten, Cologne Saturday 25 May
Acclaimed alto saxist-composer Caroline Davis' Köln concert at the Stadtgarten is a must - Davis is with pianist Julian Shore, bassist Chris Tordini and drummer Allan Mednard
- Jazzmeia Horn Blue Note, Milan Fri 24 May, Sat 25 May
- Alexis Valet Quintet feat. Dayna Stephens Jamboree, Barcelona Sat 25 May
The vibes are the lead instrument on Following the Sun given this is the formidable French jazzer Alexis Valet's record recently released - he leads an all-star Stateside group. Everyone is well known on it and the album recorded in the US is more than the sum of its illustrious parts. Tenor saxist Dayna Stephens - Gratitude proved a key record of Stephens' in recent years - pianist's pianist Aaron Parks (whose input was also significant on Gratitude), double bassist Joe Martin and drummer Kush Adadey - who is on the new Blue Note Ethan Iverson album Technically Acceptable - complete the quintet of players. Following the Sun was recorded in a studio in the New York borough of Queens in 2022. The album sports an ultra hip approach but does not try too hard. Originals of Valet's - who shakes and vacs to put the freshness back compositionally - played beautifully by everyone land in a melodic 21st century blissed out take on progressive hard bop. So if you like Jalen Baker whose Be Still we chilled to last year these sounds are perfectly compatible and rub along wonderfully. With Valet and Stephens in Barcelona the band is completed by pianist Tony Tixier, bassist Ameen Saleem and drummer Adam Arruda.
- Nobuhle Ashanti Quintet The Bird's Eye, Basel Fri 24 May, Sat 25 May
On a Cape Town crusade - seek out pianist Nobuhle Ashanti.
- Manu Hermia & Orchestra Nazionale della Luna Bozar stage, Grand Place, Brussels Sat 25 May 5pm
Not a club (but near a few) happening en plein air in reliably surreal Brussels, it's hip to be square.
- Sean Fyfe Quartet Birdland, Hamburg Sat 25 May
GIG OF THE WEEK:
Oh, what a line-up. Featuring the swish swingalongadingdong Stepping Stones (Cellar Live) line-up of His Higness sans orb and sceptre Dave of the sax joining Canadian pianist-leader Sean Fyfe, bassist Luke Fowler and drummer Matt Fishwick (who displayed consummate sticksmanship with saxist Alex Merritt on 2022's Mind-Ear-Ladder).
- Bernard Maseli Harris, Kraków Sat 25 May
Walk Away legend vibist Bernard Maseli is in the house.
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