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Matt Groom
Head of Jazz
After spending much of the nineties producing music programmes for cable television, at the turn of the millennium Matt became a music publicist, before joining Presto to become Head of Jazz. He enjoys making electronic noises for his own amusement, and was once in an improv trio with real jazz musicians.
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The Jazz Composer's Orchestra
A sprawling opus of sixties avant-garde jazz, The Jazz Composer's Orchestra is Michael Mantler’s bold vision of orchestral chaos and free improvisation. Featuring legends like Pharoah Sanders and Cecil Taylor, it’s a dark, brooding masterpiece that challenges conventions, rewarding those ready to embrace its dense, anarchic beauty.
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New Release Round-Up - 13th December 2024
This week features Tommy Whittle and Alan Barnes on the vibrant Straight Eight, Emily Remler’s poignant Cookin' at the Queens, Erik Palmberg’s introspective Faces, Nik Bärtsch’s grooving Spin with indie touches, and John-Paul Muir’s thoughtful Home Now.
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New Release Round-Up - 6th December 2024
Orchestre Incandescent blends jazz and Baroque, Rasmus Sørensen cements his voice in modern jazz, Freddie Roach’s Good Move gets a deluxe reissue, Bill Evans' 1970 Kongsberg concert surfaces, and Tony Williams' Emergency! returns to vinyl, retaining its explosive energy.
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Jazz Recordings of the Year - Winners 2024
The results are in! We are thrilled to reveal the recipients of our hotly-anticipated Jazz Recordings of the Year in addition to Label of the Year, Best Archive/Reissue and Newcomer in Jazz.
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New Release Round-Up - 29th November 2024
This week offers a diverse range of musical experiences, from experimental soundscapes to global fusions. Explore the acoustic side of Oz Noy, the minimalist trio of Danielsson, Parricelli and Pohjola, and the innovative compositions of Norman McLaren. Additionally, you can delve into the world of improvised music with Tippetts and Figes, and experience the energetic sounds of Or Bareket and Thomas Strønen.
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Vinyl Round-Up - 22nd November 2024
With all the inclement weather and dark nights, now is the perfect time to show your turntable some love. In our vinyl round-up we explore reissues: Miles Davis in Paris, Diana Krall’s debut, McCoy Tyner and Joe Henderson Live at Slugs' Saloon, a trio of Blue Note releases, and a Nigerian highlife fusion compilation.
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Jazz Recordings of the Year - Finalists 2024
We are delighted to reveal the 25 finalists for our Jazz Recordings of the Year Awards, with the 5 winners being announced on Thursday 5th December.
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Roy Haynes 1925-2024
Roy Haynes, legendary jazz drummer, innovator across bebop, post-bop, free jazz and fusion, has died aged 99. His seven-decade career included collaborations with icons like Charlie Parker and John Coltrane, leaving a timeless impact on jazz history.
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New Release Round-Up - 15th November 2024
This week’s releases feature Colin Vallon Trio’s organic grooves, Stephan Micus’s global soundscapes, Jon Batiste’s Beethoven with the blues, Emile Londonien’s genre-blending rhythms, and archival recordings from Oscar Peterson and Michel Petrucciani.
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Jazz New Release Round-Up - 8th November 2024
Jazz highlight this week include the pairing of Lionel Loueke and Dave Holland, a never-heard-before Keith Jarrett trio recording, standards from both Marilena Paradisi & Bob Nieske, and also Fred Hersch, and younger upstarts in the form of The Banger Factory and OTOOTO.
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Quincy Jones (1933-2024)
Quincy Jones, the pioneering composer, producer, and cultural icon whose visionary career spanned jazz, pop, and film, has died at 91. From jazz clubs to Hollywood and global pop hits, Jones’ influence forever transformed the world of music.
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This Is How I Feel About Jazz
Quincy Jones, Lucky Thompson (tenor saxophone), Bunny Bardach (tenor saxophone), Jerome Richardson (tenor saxophone), Phil Woods (alto saxophone), Paul Chambers (bass guitar), Hank Jones (piano), Charlie Persip (drums), Jerome Richardson (flute), Jack Nimitz (baritone saxophone), Urbie Green (trombone), Ernie Glow (trumpet), Art Farmer (trumpet), Ernie Royal (trumpet), Joe Wilder (trumpet), Jimmy Cleveland (trombone), Frank Rehak (trombone), Charles Mingus (bass guitar), Billy Taylor (piano), Herbie Mann (flute), Gene Quill (alto saxophone), Herbie Mann (tenor saxophone), Milt Jackson (vibraphone), Zoot Sims (tenor saxophone)
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Ineza with Alex Webb & The Copasetics - Women's Words - Sisters' Stories
Women’s Words - Sisters’ Stories sung by Ineza with Alex Webb and The Copasetics, weaves intimate narratives of women’s experiences to explore themes of love, resilience, and identity through a uniquely personal lens.
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Jazz New Release Round-Up - 1st November 2024
This week’s new releases include releases from tenor saxophonist JD Allen, drummer Brandon Sanders, classical leaning improvisation with Sarah Neufeld, Rebecca Foon and Richard Reed Parry, Philip Clemo, Stína Ágústsdóttir, and Dick Sisto and Andy LaVerne.
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Jazz New Release Round-Up - 25th October 2024
New releases from Paul Dunmall & Kevin Figes, BADBADNOTGOOD, Glen Manby, John Gibbon Trio, Faz Tempo, Stefan Schöler, Danilo Pérez, Bohuslän Big Band, and a rarity from Sphere.
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Jazz New Release Round-Up - 18th October 2024
This week's highlights include albums from Aaron Parks, Josephine Davies, Pentadox, Sidsel Endresen, Jan Bang, and Erik Honore, Guy Davis, and vinyl reissues for Sun Ra, Donald Byrd, and Art Blakey.
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Jazz New Release Round-Up - 11th October 2024
This week’s jazz releases include Immanuel Wilkins exploring themes of heritage, whilst Ashley Henry blends introspective lyrics and lush jazz melodies. Ilario Ferrari's offers a fusion of styles, Joe Sanders gives us genre-blending compositions, and there's a refreshing reunion between Oscar Peterson and Herb Ellis.
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Jazz New Release Round-Up - 4th October 2024
This week's highlights include Michael Mayo's versatile Fly, Dario Miranda's chamber jazz in La Dormiente, Ben Wendel's vibrant live album Understory, and David Preston's Purple/Black Volume 2.
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Jazz New Release Round-Up - 27th September 2024
This week's new releases range from Antonio Dayyani’s melancholic Trop Op to Rick Panzer’s jazz dance classic. Walter Smith III’s modern jazz, Laura Jurd’s avant-garde brass, and Tenderlonious' Indian fusion highlight the boundary-pushing creativity in contemporary music.
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Jazz New Release Round-Up - 20th September 2024
Highlights this week include Nubya Garcia's gorgeous Odyssey, Markus Harm's cosmic Out in Space... and seeing as he's taken into the cosmos let's give Sun Ra's Jazz in Silhouette another spin.
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Meshell Ndegeocello - No More Water: The Gospel of James Baldwin
Meshell Ndegeocello's celebration of the Harlem-born writer and civil rights activist is both an homage and a call to action, urging listeners to engage with Baldwin’s ideas and the urgent social issues which they address.
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No More Water
Meshell Ndegeocello
