Nina Simone’s work is constantly ripe for interpretation and re-interpretation. With a timeless catalogue marrying romantic tumult with political fury, it’s hard to resist the opportunity to hear these thrilling […]
Lady Blackbird‘s acclaimed debut Black Acid Soul was an austere collection of deep-soul covers. The American singer – real name: Marley Munroe – promoted the album at venues like London’s […]
This festive offering at the Royal Albert Hall was not Jules Buckley‘s first foray into Aretha Franklin’s catalogue. The brilliant arranger and conductor, known for his work with the Metropole […]
Irish singer-songwriter Imelda May admitted feeling perplexed by the invitation to headline the EFG London Jazz Festival. After all, she isn’t currently touring or promoting new material – though she […]
Talk about sounding like the record, British blue-eyed soul artist Rumer gave a knockout performance at the Southbank Centre’s Queen Elizabeth Hall without breaking a sweat. There are plenty of […]
Nina Kristofferson has a thriving cabaret career with long-running tributes to Nina Simone and Billie Holliday often selling out venues like The Pheasantry. For her EFG London Jazz Festival showing […]
British jazz artist Zara McFarlane unveiled her album Sweet Whispers – an homage to Sarah Vaughan – at Ronnie Scott’s Jazz Club earlier this year. I was admittedly curious how the same show would […]
You can’t fault Jazz Voice for its eclecticism. This annual gala, inaugurating each iteration of the EFG London Jazz Festival, serves up an ensemble of soloists often with varying degrees […]
Watching Beverley Knight perform does feel like you’re watching an all-time great. Her voice, brimming with soul but steely in its attack and precision, is one of the finest to […]
Sam Smith makes a captivating, stylistically diverse Proms debut It was always a childhood dream of singer Sam Smith to perform at the Royal Albert Hall. Yet the announcement of […]
Monikered ‘the Divine One’, Sarah Vaughan possessed a vocal splendour of a kind so rich and inimitable. Following an excellent run of tributes in recent years to Nina Simone, Aretha […]
Last year, the BBC Proms paid homage to the ‘Northern Soul’ movement with a stunningly popular concert that has found new life touring the UK. While ‘Northern Soul’ was, at […]
For those who want a summery festival experience without the expense, frenzy, and general slog of Glastonbury, Kew the Music makes for a damn good night. This Saturday evening in […]
At one point during this concert at the Royal Albert Hall, English soul singer Joss Stone admitted her nervousness about booking this daunting venue. Perhaps Stone, who tours more heavily […]