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183 articles

Brian Payne

Brian Payne was born in Manchester and raised in Cheshire. He graduated in English and American Literature at the University of East Anglia and was employed for a while as a technical editor for a publishing company. He then changed direction and after obtaining applied social science qualifications at LSE and Birmingham University he worked in social services and later managed local authority provision in London for 20 years. He was later employed in the Information Commissioner’s Office to investigate and write decisions concerning the withholding of public information. Perhaps the most edifying of these was ordering the release and publication of MPs’ expense claims that had been withheld by the House of Commons. Over the years Brian has written about and photographed live jazz performance in a variety of settings. Some of his work can be seen at brianpaynephotography.com.

Jazz With A Beat – Small Group Swing, 1940–1960

American poet holds that Louis Jordan's conversion of big-band swing into small-group shuffle set the pattern for 60s soul jazz

Aguankó: Unidad

Fluent Michigan-based septet led by Mexican conguero Alberto Nacif plays jazz-rich mambo, cha-cha and bolero

Richard Baratta: Off The Charts

Drummer leads Jerry Bergonzi, John Patitucci and David Kikoski on tunes by Bobby Hutcherson, McCoy Tyner, Wayne Shorter and others

Hilario Durán And His Latin Jazz Big Band: Cry Me A River

Pianist Durán and a band including Paquito D’Rivera play music by Chucho Valdés, Gillespie, Chopin, the leader and others
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Wandering Monster: Zenna

Compact disc from Leeds-based quintet mixes the reflective and assertive and includes a cover of Jaco Pastorius's Okonkolé Y Trompa

Mark Lewis: Sunlight Shines In

Seattle-based woodwind man leads an LA rhythm section in a set of melodic, straight-ahead jazz, at one point evoking Roland Kirk

Review: Scarborough Jazz Festival 2023

The 20th jazz bash at Scarborough Spa included Alan Barnes, Jamil Sheriff, Tori Freestone, Jim Mullen, Adam Glasser and Randy Brecker

Various: Hip Holland Hip – Modern Jazz In The Netherlands, 1950-1970

Collection of the work of Dutch post-war jazz luminaries includes guest spots for Herbie Mann, Rita Reys and Oliver Nelson
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Samuel Blaser: Routes

Tribute to Don Drummond combines jazz-type heads with solos from Soweto Kinch, Alex Wilson, Alan Weekes et al over stolid reggae rhythms

Alan Skidmore: A Supreme Love

Six-CD compilation of mostly unreleased material covers 70 years and has the Traneian tenorist with Weather Report and many others

Thelonious Monk: The Classic Quartet

Remastered recording captures Monk's 1963 performance for Japanese TV with Charlie Rouse, Butch Warren and Frankie Dunlop

Newport Jazz Festival 2023

As before, the venerable jazz festival enlisted pop (in this generation hip-hop, rap, etc) to help attract younger punters into the jazz fold
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