Reviews - What they said about mjf 2007
mjf 2007 review - Tim Stenhouse for JazzWise, August 07
"Manchester provided the backdrop to the twelfth triumphant instalment of the recent Manchester Jazz Festival. Jazz and its inter-connectedness with world roots music dominated, illustrated by Neil Yates' New Origins group exploring Celtic-Iberian connections. Meanwhile the evocative playing of The Chosen, Sylvan Richardson's latest project, fused classical, jazz and Middle Eastern sounds. Tango and jazz were once considered uncomfortable bedfellows, but Tango Siempre impressively continue the classic repertoire, weaving in contemporary influences from Pablo Zeigler to Goldfrapp. Defying a gusty wind, their performance and latest CD, Tangents, make for essential listening.
A second theme was the southern European presence. Italy's Riccardo Brazzale and Lydian Sound Orchestra conjured up the controlled anarchy of the Mingus Big Band perfectly. Further along the Mediterranean the emotive sounds of Spain emerged with Madrilenos Dead Capo who encapsulate the dynamic attitude of the capital with their eclecticism, encompassing post-bop, paso doble and surfer musics. An electrifying set including tracks from the CD, Discolo, featured the dominant influence of guitarist Javier Adan. Gibraltar and jazz are not obviously linked, but in Latin diva Kirsty Almeida and her excellent ensemble that may soon change, as they revisited the small combo format perfected by Nat King Cole in the late 1940s with cool bossas and sumptuous boleros.
mjf has prided itself on exclusive newly commissioned works and a suite devoted to folk-jazz bassist Danny Thompson by Manchester bassist Jon Thorne fitted the bill while an exploration of electronica courtesy of Stuart McCallum's minimalist suite featured the great John Surman and Neil Yates alongside the cream of Manchester's musicians. Understanding the relationship between blues, gospel and jazz is key and in Alex Douglas the commonality of the African-American spiritual and the piano were explored, thereafter providing a master class in the art. Barb Jungr skilfully re-invented the jazz/gospel combo with expert accompaniment. Fusion was not forsaken. Current Affairs dissected the more exploratory side of the genre at Matt and Phred's, while The Elliot Henshaw Band provided both fusion-pop sounds and sardonic Mancunian humour."
and a few other (nice) words about mjf…
"The festival, with its core values of originality, individuality and personal expression, has effectively nurtured a generation of local players" Mike Butler, JazzWise, Sep 07
"Although I'm not a jazz aficionado, I was persuaded in 2006 to attend the lunchtime events. And I was hooked, so the last week has seen me hightailing it to St Anne's square every lunchtime & afternoon; it's been well worth the dash. My thanks go to the organisers who have worked so hard to bring us such talented artists. Looking forward to 2008!!!" Barbara Cansell, listener
"A huge thanks and a round of applause goes out to Mick, Steve and the other hard working members of the team who once again brought a superb festival of jazz to Manchester." Dean Moull, Matt & Phred's
"Thanks for a great festival. If all British promoters were as innovative and professional as you, this country would have the best jazz scene in the world. Thanks for all the brilliant music." Jamil Sheriff, composer, pianist
"What a fantastic event mjf is. You should be very proud of what you have achieved year on year – it just gets better and better. It's a brilliant showcase to prove how many amazing musicians Manchester is home to. Who needs London? Not us!" Linda Cope, listener
