Singer and pianist Olivia Trummer was on the bill last night at Bonn’s Collegium Leoninum. It was 10 years ago at Berlin’s XJazz Festival when I last saw her perform. She is now about to release her new album “Like Water” on June 6th. Produced by the legendary Russ Titelman, expect a review right here…
Part of the so-called museum mile in Bonn, yesterday’s venue at this year’s Jazzfest, the Bundeskunsthalle, hosted two very different artists who both live in Paris. Camille Bertault, who burst onto the scene back in 2016 with her debut album “En Vie” after she had uploaded a video on Youtube of her crazy version of…
This year’s Jazzfest Bonn, which started out in early May, is at the beginning of its third block with two acts playing at the inner city Kreuzkirche last night. The venue participated for the first time. And even though it is always difficult to stage concerts in churches, both shows came across pretty well. Starting…
Multi-instrumentalist and multi-talented singer and composer Jordan Lee has finally released his debut album. Known as the co-writer and singer of French 80s funk and boogie sensation Dabeull, (his “Analog Love” LP was recorded on the same console as “Thriller”), Jordan impressed us two years ago with the sensational “Easy”. On “Fighter For Love”, his…
One of our early 80s heroes, the one and only Howard Johnson, just announced two shows in the UK this October, with more shows possibly in the can. Howard was the co-founder of the group Niteflyte, which recorded two albums in 1979 and 1981 before he went solo with his still totally impeccable “Keepin’ Love…
José James is back with a sequel to last year’s brilliant “1978” LP. The eight new tracks were recorded in one take at Dreamland Studio which is an old church close to Woodstock, New York. His band includes his wife Taali on vocals, BIGYUKI on keys, David Ginyard and Kyle Miles on bass, and Jharis…
Chet Baker needs no introduction here but he will probably get some new admirers and fans with this latest 15-song compilation of some of his best-known tunes, recorded by a plethora of young artists from all over the world, to be released this Friday on Decca records. It coincides with the 70th anniversary of his…
This year’s XJAZZ! Festival starts on Wednesday, May 14th with a unique and vibrant melange of dance, poetry, rap, and music from singer Kersha Bailey and drummer and producer Natcyet Wakili. Participating Kreuzberg venues include Festsaal, Marmorbar, Emmauskirche, and Oberhafenkantine, among others. Highlights include sets by muscle cars (May 17th), Alabaster DePlume (May 17th), corto.alto…
Sam Wills, the UK-based singer, songwriter and multi-instrumentalist whose debut album “Breathe” garnered a five-paw review back in 2021, is back with a new single and the announcement of his first headlining tour throughout Europe. His “We Both Know”, released last week, is in heavy rotation here. The smooth and subtle track with its poignant…
Jazzfest Bonn, founded in 2009 by saxophonist and artistic director Peter Materna, started on May 1st and continues with a lot more concerts in various locations throughout the city until May 24th. With several thousand expected visitors, the festival is now an established gathering and attracts an international crowd. Here is the remaining schedule, which…