Mike Stern featuring Dave Weckl
If Jaco Pastorius's bass was 'punk jazz', Stern's electric guitar-playing is the embodiment of high octane thrash-rock jazz - though he does have his quieter moments. Always a thrilling performer, Stern plus Weckl - the precision master drummer de nos jours - equals packed houses at Ronnie's.
Ronnie Scott's,
July 12-14
Roy Hargrove
Discovered by Wynton Marsalis while still at college, 37-year-old Hargrove is one of the most highly-rated younger trumpeters, a fact his attitude suggests he knows only too well. But having held his own with the likes of Herbie Hancock and Michael Brecker, perhaps he's entitled to be just a bit cocky.
Ronnie Scott's
July 9-11
Rashied Ali
Ali was the drummer who replaced Elvin Jones in John Coltrane's band; according to your taste that was either the period when Coltrane pushed the boundaries furthest or the time when his music became so free it was unlistenable. Ali's an important figure, but you have been warned.
Pizza on the Park
July 19-21
Edinburgh Jazz and Blues Festival
Leading Scottish players Colin Steele, Tommy Smith and Brian Kellock are joined by Courtney Pine, Dr Lonnie Smith (nicknamed the 'Turbanator' on account of his headgear), Jeff 'Tain' Watts and Al Foster in the Athens of the North.
July 27-August 5
Bridgetower - A Fable of 1807
Julian Joseph, one of the most respected and admired of UK pianists, turns his hand to opera in this story of George Bridgetower, a black Briton who played first violin in the Prince Regent's orchestra and to whom Beethoven originally dedicated the Kreutzer Sonata - the name was changed after the two had an argument over a woman. The libretto is by the novelist and cultural curator Mike Phillips; the singers come from both jazz - Cleveland Watkiss and Jacqui Dankworth (above) - and opera - Buddug Verona James and Jonathan Peter Kenny. Bridgetower was 'one of the cats', says Joseph, whose score is jazz, sprinkled with Bach chorale and atonal writing.
City of London festival, July 5-7
barbican.org.uk
UK tour Oct 22-Nov 28
myspace.com/julianjoseph
Hot Jazz, Warm Feet by John Chilton
If only most jazz biographers wrote as well as John Chilton, who has covered the lives of Coleman Hawkins, Roy Eldridge and Sidney Bechet, among others. Here Chilton, whose band, The Feetwarmers, were George Melly's longtime accompanists, turns to his own career. The book is packed with delightful and fascinating anecdotes, from stories of Melly's antics to encounters with literary figures (Chilton used to run a bookshop) such as Graham Greene, who named a character after him, and Arnold Wesker, who confessed that his friends called him 'Wizzy'.
Hot Jazz, Warm Feet (Northway Publications, £11.99)
Introducing Robin McKelle
It's rare to find a vocalist mining the Forties big band seam who really makes you sit up and take notice. New Yorker McKelle has a rich alto, packed with sass and phrasing reminiscent of Sarah Vaughan: she's the real deal.
Robert Glasper:
In my element
The 27-year-old American's collaborators have ranged from Terence Blanchard to Q-Tip; his is a thoroughly contemporary sound, with hints of hip hop dropped into a mesmerising piano style. Often compared with Brad Mehldau, Glasper is warmer and more immediate, but just as intelligent.
Arturo Sandoval:
Rumba Palace
The rumbustious Cuban trumpeter, adopted as Dizzy Gillespie's heir in Dizzy's later years, is criticised by some for squandering his talents on showy displays. Just accept that he's a good-time boy and enjoy the fun.
Kenny Burrell: 75th birthday
bash live!
A joyful nostalgia trip for one of the greats of jazz guitar, captured at Yoshi's, Oakland, with the Gerald Wilson Orchestra and guests that include flautist Hubert Laws and the reigning king of the Hammond organ, Joey DeFrancesco.
Legends of Jazz with Ramsey Lewis
Terrific live performances on this DVD, particularly Al Jarreau and Kurt Elling duetting on Dave Brubeck's Take Five and Clark Terry doing his hilarious 'mumbles' routine.
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