Jazz Matters

In this episode we dive in to the life and career of one of the UK's best known Singer/Saxophonists, Kim Cypher. From her start in music and her early inspirations, to he latest album, Love Kim, and how she has been making the best of life in Lockdown.

Sounds of A&R come to the Jazz Matters Podcast hot off the back of the release of their fantastic new album, Questions Left Unanswered. In this episode, we learn all about the individual journeys of vocalist April May Webb and trumpeter Randall Haywood, and how they found their way to each other and started to S.O.A.R.

Born and raised in the Australian Outback, and now living in Philedelphia, Gemma Sherry is a jazz saxophonist-turned vocalist. In this episode we learn more about her start in music, right through to her new album, crowd-funded in the midst of a global pandemic.

Joe Webb is one of the UK's most in-demand young pianists. As well as fronting his own trio, he has also been head-hunted by the likes of Adrian Cox and Kansas Smitty's. In this episode we find out more about a boy from Wales came to be a big part of the London jazz scene, including his early influences and just how close he came to permanently plying his trade in Spain.

Trumpet player, Composer and Bandleader, Mark Kavuma, is part of the London-based, new generation of Jazz artists lighting up the jazz scene. In this episode, we follow Mark's journey from South London schoolboy, to playing with some of the biggest names in Jazz, selling out the Jazz Cafe in Camden and playing the Love Supreme festival.

In this episode we learn more about Boston-born pianist/singer/songwriter Jen Kearney. With a high-energy sound and a powerful, soulful voice, Jen has, quite rightly, established herself as a force to be reckoned with on both sides of the Atlantic.

From his debut pop release, "I Wonder Why", back in 1991, to his 2020 album, "Gentleman", Curtis Stigers has become one of the most recognisable faces on the International jazz circuit. We take a look at where it all started for Curtis, some of his career highlights and find out more about his brand new album.

We hear more about the 2019 Parlimentary Jazz Award winning vocalist and songwriter, Zoe Gilby, including how her career in music started and her highly creative partnership with Husband, Andy Champion.

Naia are a sensational four-piece band emerging onto the London jazz scene. An eclectic fusion of Latin, funk and neo-soul defines their sound, with live performances that never fail to get the audience up and moving.

Irish singer-songwriter, Graham J, is blessed with a truly unique voice as a male contralto. In this episode, we hear more about how he came to find his voice and just where it is taking him.

Lucy Merrilyn is a young jazz vocalist with a tone and quality to her voice that belies her age. Having released her debut EP, Sometimes I'm Happy, back in 2019, we take moment to learn more about Lucy and see what the future has in store for this exciting addition to the UK jazz scene.

Alison Limerick is best known for her 90's club Anthems, such as 'Where Love Lives'. However, her jazz pedigree is well established and, along with long-time collaborator and keyboardist, Gordon Hulbert, they have ventured firmly back in to the jazz genre with their latest project, Algorisms.

In this episode, we take a closer look at UK-based vocalist, pianist and Hammond player, Wendy Kirkland, as she tells us more about the beginnings of her musical life and the story behind her two albums, Piano Divas and The Music's on Me.

Living in Barcelona, Arema Arega is a musician, composer, artist and designer of unquestionable talent. In this episode we take a look at her huge and diverse artistic output as she tell us a little bit of her story.

We’re going out of 2019 with a huge party! Hailing from the streets of London, and raised by its punk-jazz underbelly, dB are a high octane, eleven-piece outfit who blend anthemic horn lines, lyrical verse, pounding percussion and razor sharp scratch.

UK-based jazz singer/pianist has just released a brand new album, Re-Versed, which reconnects a selection of well-loved standards with their opening verses which have become lost over time. In this episode, we learn more about Robin's career, the projects he has been working on, as well as an impending documentary.

Nigel Price is, probably, the most 'in demand' jazz guitarist on the UK jazz scene, appearing on over 50 albums and playing with some of the biggest names in the business, at some of the more prestigious venues.

Beverley Beirne is a Yorkshire-based jazz singer and Artistic Director of the Ilkley Jazz Festival. In this episode, we hear more about her career, with music from her album, Jazz Just Wants To Have Fun.

Mark Cherrie tells us more about his career in music and how he came to bring the Steel Pan to the front of the Jazz Quartet.

Daniel Bennett is a New York-based multi-instrumentalist and leader of the Daniel Bennett Group who is well known for his folk and world-music inspired jazz. In this episode, we hear more about his career, where those early influences came from and how they have shaped his music over the years.

Women In Jazz is a project founded by London-based duo, Louise Paley and Nina Fine. As well as a radio show on Soho Radio, they offer workshops, networking opportunities and performance space to help more women find their voice in the jazz industry. In this episode we hear where it all started, the challenges they face and what the future looks like for them.

Barb Jungr is an artist who boasts a long and eclectic career and is one of the best story-tellers in the business. Her new album, 'Bob, Brel & Me' offers original tracks alongside masterful re-workings of songs from Bob Dylan and Jacques Brel and is fully deserving of the fabulous reviews it is receiving. In this episode we hear all about where this album came from, a little of Barb's past career and what lies ahead, along with some music from the new album.

Part 2 of our double-epioside special covering the life and career of Duncan Lamont. From his charity work with the BBC Big Band, to playing with Ray Charles and taking up Yoga, we finish our Duncan Lamont story in conversation with his Son, Duncan Jnr, and singer, Esther Bennett.

In part one of a two-part special, we hear all about the life and career of Duncan Lamont, from two people who knew him so well; his Son, Duncan Lamont Jnr, and singer, Esther Bennett.

In Episode 16, we hear all about the First Lady of UK Jazz, Claire Martin OBE. Claire talks us through the beginnings of her 30 year career in music and shares some of her hopes and plans for the future. We also hear some fabulous music from her new album, Believin' It.

In 2019, Ronnie Scott's Jazz Club turns 60. We speak to Nick Lewis (Head of Music & Promotions) and James Pearson (House Pianist & Musical Director) about the club past, present and future and find out how they will all be celebrating that incredible milestone.

We take a look at the life and career of drummer, percussionist and record label owner, Trevor Taylor. An exponent of free music and modern jazz, Trevor is a firm believer in the artistic qualities of jazz and music in general.

John Dale talks all about the National Jazz Archive, situated just outside London, UK. We hear where it all started, what it has to offer and some of the exciting things in the pipeline for the future.

In this episode, we explore the incredible career of Ray Gelato. The seasoned vocalist and tenor saxophonist is credited with being one of the major players in the mainstream revival of swing music and has been headlining the jazz scene for the last three decades.

Hear the story of vocalist and tenor saxophonist, Camille Thurman, with music from her album, “Waiting For The Sunrise”.

In Episode 10, we hear all about award winning vocalist and lyricist Georgia Mancio and her forthcoming album with Kate Williams, 'Finding Home'.

We find out more about the lady behind the Jazzigator Twitter feed and the co-owner of Jazz Bites Radio.

Hear the story of the Kansas Smitty’s House Band from the front-man himself, Giacomo Smith.

With a career spanning more than 30 years, Snowboy has established himself as one of the premier percussionists, both in the worlds of Jazz and Pop. We take a look how a boy from Essex went on to be one of the biggest names in Latin Jazz.

We tell the story of Jazz journalist, author and critic, Sammy Stein, on what brought her to Jazz, the people who have been an inspiration to her and her forthcoming book, "Women In Jazz".

Hot off the back of the launch of his new album, 'An UnRuly Manifesto', James Brandon Lewis talks about his inspirations growing up, his music and what he hopes people take away from his work.

In this episode, we talk to Digby Fairweather about his new venture, The Jazz Centre UK.

We take a look at the career of Jazz Clarinettist, Adrian Cox, and hear all about ‘Profoundly Blue’, his celebration of the work of Edmond Hall.

Mark Wade is a superb Bass player from New York. Leader of the Mark Wade Trio, he has twice been placed in the Downbeat Magazine's Readers Poll and has a 2018 album, Moving Day.

In this episode, we look at Pixie & The Gypsies. From their early beginnings to their chart-topping, debut album "Honey Trap", we hear it all from the band themselves.