The Department for Digital, Culture, Media & Sport has announced that saxophonist YolanDa Brown is among the newly appointed National Council Members for Arts Council England to serve a new three-year term. YolanDa, who is also a TV and radio presenter seen and heard on a range of religious, children's and music programmes, was a presenter of the BBC Young Musician jazz final the year that since-risen new generation star of jazz piano Deschanel Gordon scooped the prize.
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Track of the day is a fundraiser for the One Voice Community Collective in Ladbroke Grove. This slice of militant roots dub reggae mixed by Jerry Lionz is played by a fine collection of jazz players with the beat laid down inconspicuously by David Mrakpor and choppy guitar lines from Oscar Jerome plus 2-Tone-esque horns. Mrakpor here on bass is probably the finest multi-instrumentalist on the new UK jazz scene just as jaw-dropping live or on record on keys, vibes and guitar as he proves here laying down the beat.
Groove is shepherded by Moses Boyd while Old Etonian Joe Armon-Jones' arcade-bright keys contribution is sparklingly enhanced by the fantastic Jerry Lionz mix. The vocal is played down in the dub mix but check out the companion track 'No Weapon' for more vocals. We're also looking forward to hearing Mrakpor's 'Lonely' soon which Jazz Re:Freshed are to release.
Joe Armon-Jones, above