This week's top gigs

Oscar Jerome Band on the Wall Manchester Monday. Oscar Jerome’s Live In Amsterdam released in 2019 displayed what a fine guitar player Jerome is his style landing in a Femi Temowo-Ronny Jordan blend with a splash of Richie Havens somewhere in …

Published: 28 Nov 2022. Updated: 17 months.

Oscar Jerome Band on the Wall Manchester Monday.

Oscar Jerome’s Live In Amsterdam released in 2019 displayed what a fine guitar player Jerome is his style landing in a Femi Temowo-Ronny Jordan blend with a splash of Richie Havens somewhere in there certainly in the overarching singer-songwriter aspect of his craft. Manchester fans can get the latest update as to where his playing is at these short few years on in the wake of The Spoon.

José James Ronnie Scott's London Tuesday & Wednesday.

Out Front The Hen and Chicken Bristol Thursday.

Rory Ingham-James Davison Sextet Crookes Social Club Sheffield Friday.

Hugh Buckley Scott's Belfast Friday.

The Magpie trio 1000 Trades Birmingham Friday.

Tony Kofi Peggy's Skylight Nottingham Saturday.

Let Spin Bobiks Newcastle-upon-Tyne Sunday.

Touring Thick as Thieves - one of 2022's best UK jazz album releases - Let Spin are a mature band around for a decade with nothing to prove and still so much to give there isn't a need to idly categorise the quartet but instead move more emotionally into what the sound does beyond its jazz-rock and punkish electronica flavours. Their post-Ornettian and alt.rock delvings take you on a roller coaster ride certainly far away from mundane posturing or the ladling on of however cherished over familiar licks.

Tony Kofi has Dennis Rollins in his band on familiar ground in Nottingham on Saturday night. Photo: publicity shot

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Hanakiv, featuring Alabaster dePlume, No Words Left, Gondwana ***1/2

Shrouded in the holy minimalism of Arvo Pärt if not a believer nevertheless it's hard not to succumb to Stockholm Syndrome as you begin to wrestle yet again with the sound of modish saxist Alabaster dePlume improvising over the repetitive but …

Published: 28 Nov 2022. Updated: 17 months.

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Shrouded in the holy minimalism of Arvo Pärt if not a believer nevertheless it's hard not to succumb to Stockholm Syndrome as you begin to wrestle yet again with the sound of modish saxist Alabaster dePlume improvising over the repetitive but compelling piano lines, as the current Heavyweight Moondog Champion of the UK jazz scene pirouettes around the piano line like Bez with a mouthpiece instead of any need for the maracas.

The key moment is at 1 minute 20 seconds when DePlume goes into wavering vibrato laden overdrive on the way to the next levitation. Complete newcomer Hanakiv's 'No Words Left’ is different to the Hania Rani approach - but re-listen to the beautiful Esja from three years ago. Because something inside so strong found in the wonderfully stark Estonian gracenote touches is also at play. For some listeners guessing the moves and perhaps quaking in trepidation Hanakiv like the Pole shares a moody Caffè Nero-like staring out-of-the-window Sleepless in Haggerston hate my life just drink coffee and eat pastries instead outcome. Another day at the dark satanic mills of the call centre ahead!

But fear not. 'No Words Left' is not at all as cosy and smug as listening to classic Ludovico Einaudi, oh my days. Seven minutes-plus of bliss to take the edge of yet another blue Monday ushers itself trilling to the quill of it all. A new star in the making putting ink to the nib is a perfect alternative instead. Photo: detail from the Gondwana artwork