Monday 27th May
Eska Mutungwazi This talented and original London based composer comes from a varied and eclectic musical background. As a vocalist, her legendary virtuosity has attracted the attentions of a host of acclaimed artists – the likes of Tony Allen and David Sylvian, to name a few. Her vocal arrangements have credits on 3 Mercury-nominated albums that range from hip-hop to indie to jazz.
Alex Ward is a composer, improviser, and performing musician who plays a variety of instruments and has had a long involvement with free music. He has been a member of many other groups including ensembles led by Eugene Chadbourne, Simon H. Fell and Duck Baker.
Phil Meadows Group Based in London, the group performs an array of original compositions written by bandleader Phil Meadows. Combining a cocktail of influences this group appeal to a host of audiences with a passion for improvisation, beauty and groove. Complex, powerful and emotive one minute; thoughtful, delicate and beautiful the next. Think Miles Davis meets Bartok with a helping hand from the ECM record label.
P.S. You can read interviews with the artists, and commentary by Sean Corby here: Sleeve Notes at Prodigal Jazz Talk
Check out this comic made by the brilliant Naiel Ibarrola for Jazz In The Round.
We're excited to have Gina Southgate as our artist in residence, painting the action as it happens. You can see her work on display in our foyer, on her website, and of course watch her painting live on the night...
Says Jez “Jazz in the UK is in a really healthy state. Week by week I hear strong CDs and see excellent gigs. And it's coming from all directions. Free music, electronica, more mainstream things, dance music, big bands. There are scores of excellent players coming out of colleges, but still great things rising up from underground scenes. We're still lucky to be able to hear great legends of UK jazz who started out in the 60s onwards, as well as new artists just finding their feet. We want to reflect and mix all of this.”
For The Cockpit, Jazz In The Round marks a return to musical form. Forty years ago, Humprey Burton broadcast T. Rex, among others, from the iconic seventies theatre off Marylebone’s Lisson Grove, as part of the London Weekend Television Music In The Round series (Video p.1 - Video p.2). Now, Jez Nelson’s Somethin’ Else, The Cockpit, and Prodigal Jazz, with sponsorship from Loudwater Partners, are reinventing the format as a live gig – though each night will be recorded.
Jez adds: “I hope we get a really wide range of people coming along just to open their minds and check things out."
Every last Monday in the month. Starting at 6pm, with DJ set in the bar. First band 8pm.
For tickets call The Cockpit box office on: 020 7258 2925 (lines open 12-6 Monday to Saturday), or scroll down to buy online.
Tickets £8 online, by phone or on the door (if you're lucky)
For artist submissions, email sean
prodigaljazz [dot] com at Prodigal Jazz.