ANDY HEDGECOCK is entertained by a playful novel that embeds a fictional game at its heart
IT WAS a prime expression of jazz musicians' generosity on the 1968 London scene that, when Ronnie Scott moved to new premises in Frith Street, Soho, from the "old place" in Gerrard Street, he encouraged new bands to use it, responding to the upsurge of brilliant young musicians making their mark on the new music and the genius of the Blue Note exiles from South Africa, shortly to form the Brotherhood of Breath.
Many of this powerful musical generation found their way into the Mike Westbrook band, giving precious opportunity for young virtuosi like saxophonists Mike Osborne, John Surman and George Khan, trombonists Paul Rutherford and Malcolm Griffiths, trumpeter Dave Holdsworth, South African bassist Harry Miller and drummer Alan Jackson.
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
As part of the 2025 London Jazz Festival Rich Mix offered intriguing sessions titled 'Persian Jazz,' CHRIS SEARLE was there
CHRIS SEARLE speaks to saxophonist and retired NHS orthopaedic surgeon ART THEMEN
Chris Searle speaks to saxophonist XHOSA COLE and US tap-dancer LIBERTY STYLES



