Launched on Thursday 19 November 2020, Jazz South Radar Sessions present gigs filmed in music venues and other surprise locations in the South of England, showcasing new work from a diverse line-up of outstanding jazz composers.
Each broadcast premieres new music commissioned by Jazz South as part of Radar Commissions, alongside exclusive interviews with the composers talking to broadcaster and journalist Kevin Le Gendre (J-Z/Jazzwise/MusicWeek).
WATCH EACH INDIVIDUAL PERFORMANCE AND ARTIST INTERVIEW BY CLICKING THROUGH HERE.
READ MORE ABOUT THE COMPOSERS HERE.
Monday 26 April 2021, 8pm
Olie Brice, Jason Yarde & Nick Malcolm
Jazz South presents Olie Brice (double bass), Jason Yarde (alto sax) and Nick Malcolm (trumpet) performing Olie Brice’s Fire Hills – a new composition for three free improvisers. Alongside the performance, Olie will discuss the piece in an interview with Kevin Le Gendre.
This Radar Session will be streamed on Jazz South’s YouTube channel and website. Admission free.
Want a calendar reminder? Radar Sessions – Olie Brice
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Thursday 19 November 2020, 7pm
Robert Mitchell and Josephine Davies
The opening broadcast features world premiere performances of new music from award-winning composers and musicians, saxophonist Josephine Davies, and pianist Robert Mitchell.
Josephine Davies has written a new piece for an all-female trio (Josephine Davies – saxophone; Alcyona Mick – piano; Tamar Osborne – bass clarinet). Performing at De La Warr Pavilion, Bexhill, the piece reflects her tumultuous experiences of the past year, strongly inspired by living by the sea and incorporating both the peacefulness and intense drama of the elements.
Robert Mitchell’s group Epiphany 3 (Robert Mitchell – piano; Tom Mason – bass; Saleem Raman – drums) will perform Robert’s new composition Good Trouble, Necessary Trouble, performed at Turner Sims Southampton, combining music and poetry in a tribute to the legendary US politician and civil rights leader John Lewis.
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Thursday 26 November 2020, 7pm
Rebecca Nash + Nick Walters and Run Logan Run
Join us for world premiere performances of exciting new jazz music, commissioned by Jazz South in our Radar Sessions series featuring Bristol-based pianist Rebecca Nash in an exciting collaboration with trumpeter and electronic artist Nick Walters, and Bristol-based trio Run Logan Run.
Rebeca Nash is described as “at the vanguard of innovative and compelling new music” by Downbeat Magazine, and with Nick Walters explores the concept of leylines, their effect on the natural world around them and how their energy can be incorporated and developed within a musical setting. Including reworked sound samples from Avebury, Wiltshire, the new piece is performed in the concert hall setting at St George’s Bristol.
Bristol-based trio Run Logan Run have written a special acoustic ‘unplugged’ piece of music. Inspired by Dartmoor’s rich history of folk legend and the tragic tale of Kitty Jay, the musicians connect with local history and landscape, performing at an atmospheric ancient church on Dartmoor.
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Thursday 3 December 2020, 7pm
Randolph Matthews and John Martin
Join us for a double bill of world premiere performances of new music, featuring the stunning vocals of Randolph Matthews and his band at De La Warr Pavilion, Bexhill, plus the “beautiful and compelling” (Bob Mintzer) sounds of Bath-based saxophonist and composer John Martin’s trio (John Martin – tenor saxophone; Dave Smith – drums; Henrik Jensen – bass) at St George’s Bristol.
Described as “dazzling improvisational skills, flawless and world class” (Chris Philips, Jazz FM), vocalist and composer Randolph Matthews has written a new piece telling untold stories of the lives of black sailors, charting a course in music through the often troubled waters of Britain’s maritime past and exploring the work of black sailors.
John Martin has written an exciting new piece for double bass, drums and tenor saxophone. Building on the new sounds and concepts he’s been working on since the release of his acclaimed second album ‘Hidden Notes – Spirit of Adventure’, audiences are in for a real musical treat.
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Thursday 10 December 2020, 7pm
Alexander Hawkins and Hannah Jacobs
Watch the trailer here.
The fourth broadcast in this series features a double bill pairing from Oxford, with world premiere performances of new music, commissioned by Jazz South. Join us to enjoy the incredible talents of Hannah Jacobs, co-member of Oxford’s exciting jazz, pop and electronics duo Limpet Space Race, and the virtuosic music of Alexander Hawkins and his trio.
Innovative composer, musician and producer Hannah Jacobs, whose recent work has featured on BBC Radio 2, 3, 6 and in Gramophone Magazine, presents a new piece taking the listener through a world of sonic textures, combining live modular synth manipulation with acoustic and vocal improvisation to explore issues of climate change and sustainability from her own studio, Upcycled Sounds in Oxford.
Oxford based composer and pianist Alexander Hawkins (“one of the most vividly distinctive (voices)…in modern jazz” – The Jazzmann) explores new approaches for a ‘classic’ line-up of piano, double bass and drums, in a blistering and virtuosic performance at St George’s Bristol.
