From the Baltics to the Finnish

[Serial_Apologist]

Sat May 28
4.00 Jazz Record Requests
Alyn Shipton presents listeners' requests, including music by pianist Tigran Hamasyan

http://www.alynshipton.co.uk/blog

5.00 Jazz Line-Up
With Claire Martin. UMO Jazz Orchestra (Uuden Musiikin Orkesteri), recorded at the Finnish Broadcasting Company's famous M1 Studio. The orchestra was founded in 1975 and has previously worked with some of the biggest names in jazz. Plus a preview of the 50th Montreux Jazz* Festival

*sic.

http://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/b07cy56d

12.00 Geoffrey Smith's Jazz
Geoffrey Smith showcases the work of American trombonist and composer Bob Brookmeyer

http://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/b07cy59n

Mon 30 May
11.00 Jazz Now
Soweto Kinch presents a concert set from Jazz Baltica by the Italian trumpeter Enrico Rava

http://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/b07cyk0z

[Jazzrook]

Sat May 28
4.00 Jazz Record Requests
Alyn Shipton presents listeners' requests, including music by pianist Tigran Hamasyan

http://www.alynshipton.co.uk/blog

5.00 Jazz Line-Up
With Claire Martin. UMO Jazz Orchestra (Uuden Musiikin Orkesteri), recorded at the Finnish Broadcasting Company's famous M1 Studio. The orchestra was founded in 1975 and has previously worked with some of the biggest names in jazz. Plus a preview of the 50th Montreux Jazz* Festival

*sic.

http://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/b07cy56d

12.00 Geoffrey Smith's Jazz
Geoffrey Smith showcases the work of American trombonist and composer Bob Brookmeyer

http://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/b07cy59n

Mon 30 May
11.00 Jazz Now
Soweto Kinch presents a concert set from Jazz Baltica by the Italian trumpeter Enrico Rava



http://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/b07cyk0z

Also, 'the story of cult American jazz singer Jimmy Scott(1925-2014) whose life was filled with loss, pain, struggle and setbacks'.
(Radio 4, Tuesday, 31 May, 11.30am).

JR

[Serial_Apologist]

Also, 'the story of cult American jazz singer Jimmy Scott(1925-2014) whose life was filled with loss, pain, struggle and setbacks'.
(Radio 4, Tuesday, 31 May, 11.30am).

JR

Missed that - thanks JR.

[Ian Thumwood]

The set with Gregory Porter and UMO was excellent. I had anticipated to be sceptical about this singer but the hype is, in this instance, totally justified. It was great to hear him backed by UMO jazz orchestra - for my money one of the best jazz orchestras in Europe. It was interesting to contrast this band with the German outfit backing Arugelles on the Chris McGregor set. The music may have been familiar but it is frightening to hear just how mainstream in sounds nowadays. I much preferred the excerpts of the Finish band as the music sounded far more contemporary whereas the Arguelles one tended to sound like a repertory outfit. Still, it was a massive improvement on the last 1980s incarnation of BoB which was cut in the mid-1980's and was pretty ordinary.

Putting a contemporary big band behind Porter just seemed totally natural. The great thing about him is that he is making straight ahead mainstream jazz seem really hip. (Not hindered by having the excellent Chip Crawford as his pianist.) I wish there was more of this gig but I can't get enough of UMO after hearing them for the first time on "Impressions." The great thing about them is that they can play other people music but still retain their identity. The current crop of German radio big bands are all involved in some tasty collaborations and I have snapped up a number of these recordings. However, none of these big bands quite match the unique sound of UMO.

Intrigued to hear Alyn's comments about Tigran's latest trio which produced the kind of piano led music you would expect if Bartok hooked up with Metalica. Absolute carp. I have to say that I am no fan of either his music or him personally. He was at a work-shop in Vienne about three years back as artist in residence and he was an objectionable character. He was so far up his anus that I was surprised he could reach the keyboard. You can't expect to like everyone but I think he is easily the most big-headed and unpleasant jazz musician I have met, totally lacking in social skills. Difficult to listen to the music objectively after listening to him massive his ego for the best part of a day. In my opinion he is a musician with bags of technique and an open musical mind that is ready to absorb both classical music and industrial - strength rock but total disregard to any kind of jazz tradition having chewed up and spat our everything from Art Tatum through to Bill Evans as a teenage prodigy.

[antongould]

Many apologies for going tangential S_A but do the Yantra Quartet mean anything to anyone ... ???

[Serial_Apologist]

Many apologies for going tangential S_A but do the Yantra Quartet mean anything to anyone ... ???

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wviL9hO6otk

Can't say I'd go 300 miles to see them, anton. Tell us more!

[antongould]

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wviL9hO6otk

Can't say I'd go 300 miles to see them, anton. Tell us more!

Saw them last night coincidentally in the Baltic and found them pleasant but as you say little more ....

[Old Grumpy]

Saw them last night coincidentally in the Baltic

OG

[Old Grumpy]

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wviL9hO6otk

Can't say I'd go 300 miles to see them, anton. Tell us more!

See what you mean - a bit lukewarm, like the applause. How many in the audience? One or two maybe!

OG

[antongould]

See what you mean - a bit lukewarm, like the applause. How many in the audience? One or two maybe!

OG

As many as when I saw them then but in the Baltic Sea OG, but I liked the saxophonist ... everyone should get a Thatcher pension ...

[Old Grumpy]

... everyone should get a Thatcher pension ...

I'm working on it!

[Serial_Apologist]

I'm working on it!