The London Jazz Festival, which started in 1992, is a multi-faceted 10-day event. It has grown to be not only London’s largest city-wide music festival, but one of the major international jazz events. The highlights have been many – each year brings its own character and momentum, and the riches of the Festival can as easily be found in a packed club as well as in the concert hall. The festival attracts approx. 100,000 visitors and through the BBC Radio 3 broadcasting reaches over 2 million people.
During the 2014 edition of the festival, the London Jazz Festival will be celebrating 20 Years of Democracy with major concerts from established stars and also introducing new talents. The programme is as follows:
Friday 14 November
- Bokani Dyer
Vortex – 8.30pm
A formidable young pianist already making waves on the international scene with his strong individual sound, intriguing compositions and captivating live performances; Dyer is a major new South African jazz voice.
Saturday 15 November
- South Africa 20 years on and the legacy of the Blue Notes
Southbank Centre / Front Room – 12.45 & 3.30pm
Surrounding this afternoon’s Dedication Orchestra concert, a panel of musicians and specialists discuss the impact on the British scene of the South African musicians exiled by apartheid and the musical journey of South Africa in the 20 years since democracy.
- Dedication Orchestra
Southbank Centre / Queen Elizabeth Hall – 2pm
Fired by the whipcrack drumming of surviving band-member Louis Moholo-Moholo, the music of Chris McGregor, Dudu Pukwana, Mongezi Feza and Johnny Dyani continues to live through a pulsating 26-piece orchestra.
- Abdullah Ibrahim – Ekaya + New Trio
Part of the EFG Excellence Series
Southbank Centre / Royal Festival Hall – 7.30pm
Celebrating his 80th year, the charismatic pianist brings together the infectious township jazz of his septet Ekaya and the lustrous colours of his brand new trio.
Sunday 16 November
- Gareth Lockrane’s celebration of Bheki Mseleku
Forge – 7pm
Featuring original material by jazz flautist extraordinaire Lockrane and specially arranged ‘lost’ compositions of the visionary South African pianist and composer Bheki Mseleku.
Saturday 22 November
- Claude Deppa
Southbank Centre / Clore Ballroom – 6.15pm
South African trumpeter Claude Deppa scores high, with a brand new band that digs deep into the African soul.
