Maggie Nicols & Les Diaboliques
This week we feature a vocalist who has been at the vanguard of British free improvisation and who has starred alongside a young Piers Brosnan in a Celtic rock musical. Don't worry, we'll be focusing on her work in the former category, and featuring her all-female improvising trio Les Diaboliques in concert.
Maggie Nicols shares her rich musical story with trombonist Gail Brand in a warm and enlightening discussion covering her early career as a strip-club singer in 1960s Soho, her discovery of free improvisation through John Stevens' Spontaneous Music Ensemble and the struggle to open up improvisation to female performers.
Les Diaboliques is a modern-day amalgamation of all the elements of Nicols' long and under-recognised musical life. The performance draws on unfettered free improvisation, cabaret and blues, woven together by Nicols' extraordinary voice – capable of producing everything from a sort of avant-garde take on The Queen of the Night, to soulful, earthy melodies. The interaction with pianist Irène Schweizer and bass player Jöelle Léandre is incredible too. All three have such a varied language that they can follow each other anywhere, whether it's comping under unscripted banter or an impromptu mashup of I Should Care!
Monday 30th is also the first UNESCO International Jazz Day. To celebrate, the programme is introduced by a very special guest, and ends with some music we've unearthed from Japan, which really has to be heard to be believed.
This week we feature a vocalist who has been at the vanguard of British free improvisation and who has starred alongside a young Piers Brosnan in a Celtic rock musical. Don't worry, we'll be focusing on her work in the former category, and featuring her all-female improvising trio Les Diaboliques in concert.
Maggie Nicols shares her rich musical story with trombonist Gail Brand in a warm and enlightening discussion covering her early career as a strip-club singer in 1960s Soho, her discovery of free improvisation through John Stevens' Spontaneous Music Ensemble and the struggle to open up improvisation to female performers.
Les Diaboliques is a modern-day amalgamation of all the elements of Nicols' long and under-recognised musical life. The performance draws on unfettered free improvisation, cabaret and blues, woven together by Nicols' extraordinary voice – capable of producing everything from a sort of avant-garde take on The Queen of the Night, to soulful, earthy melodies. The interaction with pianist Irène Schweizer and bass player Jöelle Léandre is incredible too. All three have such a varied language that they can follow each other anywhere, whether it's comping under unscripted banter or an impromptu mashup of I Should Care!
Monday 30th is also the first UNESCO International Jazz Day. To celebrate, the programme is introduced by a very special guest, and ends with some music we've unearthed from Japan, which really has to be heard to be believed.
Jazz Line-Up brings pumpin' jazz/fusion from the fantastic New York electric bassist, Janek Gwizdala, fresh from world-touring with the likes of ex-Miles Davis guitarist Mike Stern and top jazz/funk trumpeter Randy Brecker. Janek is here as part of a massive Euro-Tour, with an all-star band:
BOB REYNOLDS (sax, New York) who's performed with Brian Blade, Tom Harrell, Richard Bona and rock star John Mayer...'One hell of a saxophonist!' Michael Brecker
GARY HUSBAND makes an outing on keyboards, but is also known for drumming with John McLaughlin, Jack Bruce, Robin Trower, Allan Holdsworth and Level 42
LOUIE PALMER (drums, London), who studied with world-famous Dave Weckl - 'Most exciting and proficient' says Thomas Lang; And Steve White's quoted as saying 'the real deal'.
BOB REYNOLDS (sax, New York) who's performed with Brian Blade, Tom Harrell, Richard Bona and rock star John Mayer...'One hell of a saxophonist!' Michael Brecker
GARY HUSBAND makes an outing on keyboards, but is also known for drumming with John McLaughlin, Jack Bruce, Robin Trower, Allan Holdsworth and Level 42
LOUIE PALMER (drums, London), who studied with world-famous Dave Weckl - 'Most exciting and proficient' says Thomas Lang; And Steve White's quoted as saying 'the real deal'.
well let me know what you make of it all ......
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