Latina powerhouse pianist Eliane Correa performs with a seven-piece outfit, put together specially for this World Heart Beat show for the EFG London Jazz Festival, playing music from right across her career.

Eliane has been a familiar face on the capital’s live scene for some years now, both with her multiple award-winning Latin fusion collective ‘Wara’, or leading dance orchestra ‘Eli & La Evolución’, igniting club floors – not to mention headlining the GlastoLatino stage at Glastonbury.

“Elements of soul, funk, rock and jazz nod to Hancock, Havana and the melting pot that is London. Utterly maravilloso.” (★★★★ Jazzwise)

Correa’s unique sound equally reflects her Latin heritage and London musical melting pot experience. Her lyrics make a point of highlighting the female experience from a place of celebration, liberation and empowerment; changing the gender narrative in Latin music from the traditionally male-centric approach is an important part of her vision.

Her current work includes, among others, touring internationally as a soloist with ‘The World of Hans Zimmer’, curating the London Latin Jazz Festival every year, working as a musical supervisor for West African-inspired musical ‘DJEMBE! The Show’, as well as production and composing for musical theatre, film and TV.

The most significant jazz musician this country has ever produced for many years’ this concert will see the London premiere of pianist Julian Joseph’s concerto in a new arrangement for jazz trio and violin, played by acclaimed soloist Harriet Mackenzie.

Recognised as one of the finest jazz musicians this side of the Atlantic, Julian Joseph has devoted his long career to championing the music across the UK and into the far corners of the world. He has forged a reputation beyond his formidable skills as a composer and performer and is universally recognised as a highly knowledgeable and engaging broadcaster, musical ambassador and cultural advocate.

This, the London premiere arrangement of Julian’s new work ‘Kayryouacou’ – the original Carib name for Carriacou, the island in the West Indies where Julian’s father was born – promises to be a truly special evening.

” ‘Kayryouacou’ was a brilliant and evocative moment within our Festival. Bringing a world and a place to life, it transported us into Julian’s imagination and memory with grace and verve in equal measure. Brilliantly performed by Harriet Mackenzie and 12 Ensemble, it was a thrilling and memorable occasion.” (Gareth Machin, Artistic Director, Salisbury International Festival)

His new concerto will be performed by his trio, with internationally renowned violinist Harriet Mackenzie. Harriet has performed across all five continents and has recorded with Royal Philharmonic Orchestra, Orchestra Nova and the English Symphony Orchestra to critical acclaim.

“Islands are precious places of family, history and geography but even more importantly of mind, heart, spirit, soul and human connection.” (Julian Joseph)

Julian’s career has been characterised by many ground-breaking advances. He was the first Black British jazz musician to host a series of concerts at London’s Wigmore Hall, and the first to headline a late-night televised performance at the BBC Proms. He was commissioned to open the 2002 London Jazz Festival with a new piece, The Great Sage, performed by his Big Band and the strings of the BBC Concert Orchestra, which was broadcast live on BBC Radio 3.

Harriet Mackenzie is an internationally renowned concerto soloist and has performed across five continents. Her recordings include concertos with the Royal Philharmonic Orchestra, Orchestra Nova and the English Symphony Orchestra and these have received international acclaim, including Five Stars in The Times (Richard Morrison) and have also frequently appeared in the ‘Top Recordings of The Year’ lists.

“There is a completeness, a confidence, an honesty and a consistent lyrical beauty that has moved me again and again. These qualities all emerge in Harriet Mackenzie’s utterly magisterial performance….Performances and recording are first-class throughout.” (Music Web International)

This show is part of EFG London Jazz Festival 2023

Ava Joseph is a talented young vocalist, instrumentalist, songwriter and bandleader steeped in great quality music.

Ava made her debut performance on the BBC at just 14, and was featured singing music from Gershwin’s ‘Porgy and Bess’ on Radio 3 at 15, showing how authentic and soulful she is singing great timeless standard songs – nine years later, and as a graduate of the famed BRIT school, she’s just as passionate when singing contemporary pop.

Ava is part of a group of gifted musicians that attend both the Julian Joseph Jazz Academy and World Heart Beat Music Academy where, along with her gigs, she’s nurtured and encouraged to hone her craft to the highest level.

Ava and her brilliant band, The SoundCrew, include Ayo Vincent on keys, Jason Ansare on guitar, Ezekiel Ajie on bass and Wilf Cameron-Marples on drums. They are currently in the studio, working toward the release of Ava’s debut recording.

This is a standing show.

“A singularly beautiful sound-world which draws in elements from traditional Irish music, jazz and contemporary classical in an entirely seamless way. (Jazzwise)

Christine Tobin’s newest project, Returning Weather, imaginatively weaves song, spoken word and a stellar group of musicians from diverse disciplines together, with the live shows expanding upon the material with additional spoken word passages and visual effects.

Returning Weather charts a journey which is part homecoming, part memoir, inspired by Christine’s return to Ireland after many years abroad and explores themes of finding home, dwelling and landscape, reconnecting with a cultural background, reshaping a sense of identity and belonging.

“Tobin’s vocals, veering from acrobatic to sultry, are tailored perfectly for the material, her evocations of time and place precise. Classy and lovely.” (★★★★ Independent)

Tobin was commissioned to write this evocative new song cycle by The Dock Arts Centre, with an Arts Council of Ireland, Music Commissions Award. All the words and compositions are by Christine, with the exception of ‘Still, Life’ which a poem by Eva Salzman set to music by Tobin.

Christine Tobin vocals/compositions
Cora Venus Lunny violin/viola
David Power uilleann pipes/whistles
Phil Robson guitar/electronics
Steve Hamilton piano

Julian Joseph Jazz Academy presents its ‘Next Generation artists’, Josiah Wade and Sam C-Sé, in this special show as part of the EFG London Jazz Festival.

Josiah Wade
Pianist Josiah Wade trained under the highly respected jazz player Julian Joseph at the Julian Joseph Jazz Academy, and under classical pianist and composer Michael Csányi-Wills, Head of Piano Department at World Heart Beat.

Josiah’s talent as a pianist precedes itself, with a repertoire covering classical to jazz, Josiah Wade has performed in a variety of notable venues and festivals, from 606 Club to Wigmore Hall – skillfully mastering both genres.

He performs a one-off show in the Jazz Festival, in a double bill with Sam C-Sé

Sam C-Sé is a talented jazz pianist, composer and producer, having worked alongside many artists and collectives on the UK scene, including The Oracle Collective and is an active player on the UK circuit with his band, oreglo.

C-Sé has performed at the notorious Ronnie Scott’s, 606 and Somerset House.

May Inoue is one of the most talked about and in demand guitarists in Japan and the Far East. He has a string of solo albums to his name including with his electric band, Stereo Champ, and their latest release, The Elements, plus his acoustic jazz quartet release Our Platform.

May has recorded alongside Kazumi Watanabe, and played live with Kurt Rosenwinkel. He is a graduate of the prestigious Berklee Music College in the US and has earned various accolades in Japan, not least ‘Album of the Year’ for his debut EMI record, First Train.

In 2018, the Japanese arts promoter, Yokohama Calling brought May to London for the first time where he headlined as part of the London Jazz Festival, leading a band featuring Jason Rebello and other top UK jazz/session musicians.

Other notable recordings include his first release as a songwriter, the EP POP MUGIC (2021), a duet album with pianist Ami Ogaeri (2022) and “総総” (2023).

This concert will be May’s third time in London as a band leader. Be prepared for a dazzling display of guitar playing prowess, musicality and improvisation that will captivate you throughout his performance. Not to be missed!

Rebecca Nash presents her new project Redefining Element 78, a brand-new work by the British pianist-composer; commissioned by Bristol Jazz Festival and released on Whirlwind Recordings.

“At the vanguard of innovative and compelling new music” (Downbeat Magazine)

Firmly established as one of the most exciting contemporary jazz composers/band leaders in the UK, pianist Rebecca Nash is now garnering an international reputation for her distinctive sound, full of artistry and heart.

Redefining Element 78 is the follow-up album to Rebecca’s highly-celebrated debut release, the genre-defying Peaceful King. Her music blends bold melodies with electronic elements and grooves, placing them within ethereal harmonic soundscapes.

“Powerful jazz making without a safety net” (Guardian)

The suite is a collection of eight pieces, centred around precious metals – inspired by the periodic table’s Platinum metal family; Platinum, Osmium, Rhodium, Iridium, Ruthenium, and Palladium.

“A substantial artistic achievement; the balance between formal composition and improvisational flair is excellent”
(The JazzMann).

The music’s excitement comes from a creative tension between detailed through-composed sections and large swathes of free improvisation. A deep sense of trust and connection between the musicians, combined with expansive, other-worldly compositions leads to spontaneous, daring, and unpredictable music making.

“One of the freshest, most creative, talents in the UK at this present time” (UK Vibe)

Rebecca Nash piano
Dee Byrne alto saxophone
Nick Walters guitar
Nick Malcolm trumpet
Paul Michael bass
Matt Fisher drums
And special guest appearance from legendary New York alto saxophonist, John O’Gallagher, who features on the album.