Jasmine Myra, Rising, Gondwana **** recommended

Jasmine Myra's Horizons in 2022 was a solid enough affair. But cloaked again within a spiritual-jazz domain, Rising goes one step beyond and is on another plane entirely. The timbrally characterful and tonally adept Leeds scene saxophonist keeps …

Published: 2 May 2024. Updated: 15 days.

Jasmine Myra's Horizons in 2022 was a solid enough affair. But cloaked again within a spiritual-jazz domain, Rising goes one step beyond and is on another plane entirely. The timbrally characterful and tonally adept Leeds scene saxophonist keeps similiar company nevertheless - pianist Jasper Green proving charismatic while harpist Alice Roberts is essential on the title track. Also contributing heavily is bassist Sam Quintana - notable on Wandering Monster's Zenna last year. Augmented by a string quartet on some tracks, the reason Rising is so much better isn't because of the extra scope in the arrangements but because there is so much more space in the sound that glistens with far better Myra tune peaks and troughs, each piece framed more than properly and able to connect person-to-person with the listener. Ahead of the full release 'Knowingness,' 'Rising' and 'Glimmers' are streaming. Jasmine Myra, photo: Sophie Jouvenaar

Tags: Reviews

Euro jazz club highlights: 2-10 May

Scott Hamilton Quartet Bimhuis, Amsterdam Thursday 2 May Emmet Cohen Trio Zig Zag, Berlin Thurs 2 May Larry Goldings, Peter Bernstein, Bill Stewart Jazzhus Montmartre, Copenhagen Thurs 2 May, Friday 3 May, Saturday 4 May. All dates are sold out.

Published: 2 May 2024. Updated: 16 days.

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On release last month Shabaka's Perceive Its Beauty, Acknowledge Its Grace went to number 1 on the official UK jazz and blues sales chart Shabaka - as flautist - hinted at a purple patch to come - more in the tank certainly as it has proved - on the 5-star mini-album Afrikan Culture last year and there was also a treat in his cameo ringing up the wonderful Amaro Freitas psychic hotline evidenced earlier this year on Y'Y. Zoning in on the Japanese shakuhachi - if you know Arve Henriksen's experimentations influenced by Nils Petter Molvær there is a complete communion there with the Norwegians in that post-Khmer regard - but c'mere Perceive Its Beauty, Acknowledge Its Grace is even more all encompassing. Shabaka plays Amsterdam with harpists Miriam Adefris and Alina Bzhezhinska, pianist Elliot Galvin and synthist Hinako Omori.

The great Cameroon born bass guitarist known for his work with Joe Zawinul and John McLaughlin appears in Paris with pianist Christophe Cravero and drummer Nicolas Viccaro.

The American singer appears with pianist Art Khu, bassist Phil Steen and drummer Elé Howell known for his work with Ravi Coltrane. Naylor's album Treasures of the Heart has just been released

Jazz-rock fusion guitar icon Mike Stern is in Stockholm with in his band Leni Stern, Bob Franceschini, Hadrien Feraud and the great Dennis Chambers (known for his work with Carlos Santana).

What a line-up! With Miles saxist Bill Evans is a band that includes Steely Dan drummer Keith Carlock and Jaco's bass playing son Felix Pastorius not to forget the Medeski, Martin and Wood genius organist John Medeski.

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Read a review of the Murray Quartet's fine new album Francesca

The bassist Gabriel Pierre plays from his album Until Now

The iconic Cuban clarinettist Paquito D'Rivera plays Milan with pianist Jose Rivero, bassist Gaston Joya, vibes player Sebastian Laverde and drummer Mauricio Zottarelli.

Piano wiz Joey Alexander appears in Warsaw with bassist Kris Funn and drummer Jonathan Barber. Alexander's Continuance released last autumn worked like a charm. And while sometimes you wonder who the icons of the future are - well the future is happening now and the infectiously grooving approach from Joey Alexander is more evidence that the Indonesia-born player is in the new pantheon. Tunes are vibrant and more than feelgood - they just seem to tap the moment, take Theo Croker's part on 'Why Don't We'. Croker is on several tracks but the album operates just as much as a trio album elsewhere. Alexander's use of mellotron to conjure the sound of flute on 'Aliceanna' is more than simply a gimmick and transforms the mood of the album entirely. Remarkably the twentysomething pianist/composer Alexander's 7th album, bubbling bass from Kris Funn is part of the secret sauce (in the spotlight particularly at the beginning of 'Zealousy'). The album contains 5 new Alexander originals plus the band's take on Bonnie Raitt number 'I Can't Make You Love Me' and the venerable William Runyan hymn 'Great Is Thy Faithfulness'. Shabaka, pictured, top, plays Amsterdam on Friday 3 May