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New Jazz in 2019

Up to now my blog entries have primarily focused on that great period of 1960s jazz (or New Music), mostly around New York based musicians. The East Coast was where the Free Jazz movement was centred. It's been a while since jazz felt as contemporary, and for me that period is still a journey of discovery.
However, I thought I would create a blog entry on what I think is an exciting and current period, especially around one particular tenor saxophonist. Shabaka Hutchings, the Guildhall classically trained musician, and London based, is creating quite a stir, especially now he is signed to (the new) Impulse Records. Currently on a world tour with The Comet is Coming, his analog synth, drums and sax trio, to promote their latest album. They are a powerful mix of drum and bass, analog dance sounds, and Shabaka's tenor. I saw them on the first gig of the tour and they were absolutely a power trio.

Their new album has been a bit more minimal on purpose. Dan Leavers and Max Hallett from the band had been listening to a lot of minimalist composer Terry Riley, and they decided to 'melt the boundaries' between jazz and other genres on the new album.

Sons of Kemet's current album, 'Your Queen is a Reptile', came close to winning the Mercury Music Prize in 2018 and lifted Shabaka's profile, at least in Britain. They are a potent mix of Tuba bass, two drummers and Shabaka.
Overtly political with this latest album on Impulse, I thought it chimed well with some of Impulse's political output from the 1960s. But also, have we progressed enough since the 1960s ? In the current political climate, it's message is relevant.
Sons of Kemet XL, the live version with four drummers is performing at festivals in 2019.


Of the three current albums of Shabaka Hutchings' groups, Shabaka and the Ancesters' 'Wisdom of Elders' is the most 'jazz' as in - think Miles' Filles of Kilimanjaro, Hancock's Mwandishi, other late 60s / early 70s. The tracks that have vocals also work really well, the vocal works like another ensemble instrument. Highlights could be the tracks Joyous and Give Thanks - a tenor/drums duet a la late Trane !

Eating in the venue, before the Comet is Coming gig recently, I showed my (student) son the Impulse website which prominently featured Hutchings. Heading downstairs later, I bumped into Shabaka and showed him the webpage with my congrats and best wishes. It can't get much better than being featured next to John Coltrane !


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