Billy Cobham
One of the great names in modern jazz drumming (as he'd probably be the first to admit), Cobham has an explosive but precise style that was a major influence on 1970s jazz rock; in bop settings he's technically impressive, if a little lacking in warmth.
Ronnie Scott's,
June 7-9
James Taylor Quartet
The UK kings of the Hammond organ sound never fail to entertain. Influences range from Jimmy Smith, Lalo Schifrin and the acid jazz era they predated and outlasted.
Pizza Express Maidstone,
June 22-23
Nikki Yeoh and Cleveland Watkiss
One of the leaders of the Jazz Warriors in the 1980s, Cleveland Watkiss works wonders multi-tracking his attractively dry, thoughtful vocals alongside highly regarded pianist Nikki Yeoh.
The Vortex,
June 28
Pat Metheny and Brad Mehldau
An intriguing collaboration: Mehldau, whose laconic genius at the piano is touched by a tantalising unfathomability, and lyrical guitar maestro Metheny explore their introspective sides together.
Barbican, July 1-2
Michel Petrucciani: The Complete Concert in Germany
Pianist Michel Petrucciani suffered from a bone disease that greatly stunted his growth and he died aged only 36 in 1999. But in his short life he won legions of fans with the undisputable joy and range of his playing, from abstract post bop and melancholic romanticism, to contemporary funk-leaning compositions. This solo performance, recorded in Frankfurt in 1997, is so immediately and electrifyingly beautiful that it deserves to be mentioned in the same breath as Keith Jarrett's Koln Concert.
Kurt Elling: Nightmoves
Kurt Elling, the 39-year-old Chicagoan, has a smooth enough baritone to have gone down the commercially rewarding Sinatra-style route. But though he's a very fine balladeer, it's greatly to his credit that he has primarily used his phenomenal chops to serve the cause of vocalese and scatting, at both of which he is currently unrivalled. This is a quieter, gentler album than his last, but still enjoyably playful at times, and above all utterly masterful.
Bryan Corbett: Off the Cuff
Another distinctive, contemporary album from Birmingham-based Corbett, using clubby samples, drum'n'bass and chill-out loungescapes, all overlaid by his gorgeous, sassy trumpet.
Michel Camilo: Spirit of
the Moment
The Dominican pianist infuses a bluesy jazz style with the greater formality of Latin claves. Always fiery, Camilo sounds a little more relaxed with a new trio behind him.
Claire Martin: He Never
Mentioned Love
In this tribute to Shirley Horn, Claire Martin shows yet again why she is the classiest and most convincing UK female singer around, with top-flight support including Gerard Presencer on trumpet, Clark Tracey on drums and Jim Mullen on guitar. You can catch her, too, at Pizza Express, Soho, June 13-17.
John Surman: The Spaces
In Between
On soprano and baritone saxes, as well as bass clarinet, the UK's Surman is by turns enchanting, querulous and serene on this semi-classical recording with string quartet and double bass.
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