Tom Challenger plays jazz for the planet tonight downstairs at the Vortex

The Tällberg Foundation's Jazz for the Planet initiative involves leading jazz musicians in performance responding to the need for positive climate action. The Foundation was established in the early-1980s and is active in what it describes as …

Published: 1 Nov 2021. Updated: 2 years.

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The Tällberg Foundation's Jazz for the Planet initiative involves leading jazz musicians in performance responding to the need for positive climate action. The Foundation was established in the early-1980s and is active in what it describes as re-injecting ethics into leadership and the re-establishing of the legitimacy of governance. Tonight in the UK Tällberg partners with east London jazz club the Vortex as a presentation of the stream that features icons of the music globally Terri Lyne Carrington, Joe Lovano and John Patitucci in a recording made in Boston premieres. Additionally for the live-in-person element of tonight's event saxophonist Tom Challenger with guitarist Tara Cunningham and drummer Adam Merrell also perform at the venue itself. Tom Challenger, above. Photo: marlbank. Link for tickets

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Tracks from SWR Big Band, Nishla Smith and Mareike Wiening to start the week

Sounds that span a range of styles across classic big band and the contemporary mainstream 'I'll Remember April' There's a gorgeous big band and strings arrangement of the Gene DePaul, Pat Johnston and Don Raye 1940s classic 'I'll Remember April' …

Published: 1 Nov 2021. Updated: 2 years.

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Sounds that span a range of styles across classic big band and the contemporary mainstream

'I'll Remember April'

There's a gorgeous big band and strings arrangement of the Gene DePaul, Pat Johnston and Don Raye 1940s classic 'I'll Remember April' first recorded by Woody Herman and by Charlie Parker on the classic Charlie Parker With Strings (1950, Mercury) featured on the upcoming SWR Big Band, Magnus Lindgren & John Beasley with Joe Lovano release Bird Lives out on the German ACT label next week. The SWR big band personnel also features Chris Potter, Miguel Zenón and Tia Fuller.

'Up'

Out next week try the charming, lyrically strong 'Up' a tuneful original from the sleeplessness-themed studio album Friends With Monsters (Whirlwind) new from Nishla Smith. A Manchester-based Australian the singer sounds on this track oh like Stacey Kent at first blush veering over to the realm of Yael Naim and 'New Soul' territory. Smith's tour with trumpeter Aaron Wood, pianist Richard Jones, double bassist Joshua Cavanagh-Brierley and drummer Johnny Hunter reaches Ronnie Scott's tonight.

'Northern Sail'

German drummer Mareike Wiening impressed us on Live at Bird's Eye Basel and 'Northern Sail' from Future Memories on Greenleaf Music released on 12 November again finds pianist Glenn Zaleski significant in the dreamy sound as is guitarist Alex Goodman. The deliciously bittersweet contribution of tenor saxophonist Rich Perry is also significant. Certainly Wiening is a fine composer and goes from strength to strength.

Nishla Smith, top. Photo: press