To rescue Kahlo from the clutches of the corporate art market, we need to acknowledge the overt and covert political dimensions of the work, demands GAVIN O’TOOLE
IN THE final lines of her sleeve poem of her debut album, Right Here, Right Now, the young trumpeter from Boston, Lincolnshire, Charlotte Keeffe writes: “Right here, right now / Breathe / Creative freedom for all!”
It is a telling message, burning from the lips of her own hornplay, whether as soloist, in a duo, quartet in a conduction setting with a large improvising ensemble — all formats are erupting from the sonic power of her album.
“Both my amazing parents are retired primary schoolteachers, always supportive of my music-making,” she told me. “My mum loves singer-songwriters like Joni Mitchell and Joan Armatrading and my dad adores a wide range of music, more on the instrumental side.
CHRIS SEARLE recommends a work of love and deep admiration for a great musician
CHRIS SEARLE recommends a new album featuring Pat Thomas and Ahmed, and marvels at the tempestuous power of a live performance
CHRIS SEARLE speaks to Filipino-US saxophonist JON IRABAGON about the threat of AI in the time of Musk and Trump, and how an artist can respond
CHRIS SEARLE speaks to Ethiopian vocalist SOFIA JERNBERG


