Review by Sammy Stein Octrain are a multi-generational rock trio comprising 2 brothers, John (lead vocals and guitar), Greg (Bass), and their cousin Pat (Drums). Music has played a big part in all of their lives, but with eight years between John and Pat, and a further eight years between John and his younger brother …
If you think you know what a banjo sounds like, think again. Multi-instrumentalist and composer Stephen Godsall’s ‘Tingling Skin, Buzzing Wires’ presents the banjo in different ways, accompanied by flugelhorn, tenor sax, Wurlitzer piano, Hammond organ, piccolo, and more. Using combinations of instruments helps Godsall demonstrate the banjo’s potential and how we should perhaps look …
Benjamin Dean Wilson is a songwriter, composer, and filmmaker from Tulsa, Oklahoma, currently residing in Fort Lauderdale, Florida. With his mixture of sardonic humor and retro pop sensibilities, Wilson has drawn comparisons to Ray Davies and Randy Newman, yet his songs are firmly at home in the 21st century. Wilson initially devoted most of his …
Gwendolyn Kassenaar, Conceptual artist Gwendolyn Kassenaar is an artist who brings a fresh approach to uniting music and art in conceptual ways that encourage audiences to have new insights into how music interpretation can be accessed. I first saw Gwen when she performed with Noisy Women at Café Oto. Gwen spent time at her …
FUWAH consists of vocalist Maddalena Ghezzi, bassist Luca Pissavini, drummer Fabrizio Carriero, and saxophonist Filippo Cozzi. Their second release ‘Care’ is a multifaceted album exploring various aspects of caring. Hypnotic drum and bass grooves infused with intimate harmonised sax and vocals are the core of the album. The band views ‘Care’ as a development of …
Irene Serra – A lot of jazz, a bit of baking and The Great British Songbook Irene Serra is a musician with an eclectic taste in music, but her love and strength of conviction lie with jazz. Irene was born in Italy, raised in Denmark, and now lives in London. It is no wonder she …
Jo Harrop is a vocalist whose personality flows into her sound. I have seen her perform in the intimate space that is Hampstead Jazz Club and more recently in the Piano bar in Soho, where my companion, Georgia Mancio, herself a wonderful singer, was greeted by Jo and invited to join her for a song. …
Cheryl Pyle is a jazz flutist who has been playing on the world’s stages for decades. She has played with many of the jazz luminaries and continues to be a dedicated and prolific artist. We decided it was high time for a Cheryl Pyle interview. Here, Cheryl offers an insight into her musical life and …
Charlotte Keeffe is one of the most intriguing and interesting improvisers on the music scene. A hugely respected musician, she has an extraordinary ability to take a lungful of air, blow it through a tiny hole in a mouthpiece and create extraordinary music. This year, alongside a kaleidoscope of colourful and talented fellow musicians, Charlotte …
Roberta Donnay is a vocalist known for her renditions of vintage songs. Critical Jazz Blog has described her as ‘taking old school jazz and making it new cool,’ and Jazz Times as ‘having a singularly enticing sound.’ Donnay is the leader of The Prohibition Mob, with a mission to explore, celebrate, and promote America’s jazz …
