The jazz scene in London is now richer than ever, flourishing with the sounds of world class artists and rising talent as well as crossover blues and soul artists making their mark.

The musically adventurous and genre-bending Veronica Swift is in town presenting her self-titled third studio album. With previous albums giving a heavy nod to her jazz roots, album number three presents Swift in a new light. From industrial Rock to Bach inspired fugues, the vocalist will be sure to dazzle audiences at the world-renowned jazz club, Ronnie’s. 

Where: Ronnie Scott’s, 47 Frith St, London W1D 4HT   

When: Friday 10th November

How much: £35

https://www.ronniescotts.co.uk/find-a-show/veronica-swift

This year, the spell-binding Avishai Cohen will be enchanting audiences at Cadogan Hall. The globally recognised bassist originating from Tel Aviv has made a name for himself as both leader, co-leader and side-man over 20 years. Parliamentary jazz newcomer award winner Emma Rawicz will be the support act. With Emma’s influences ranging from modern jazz and fusion to folk and soul, this gig will be one to watch.

Where: Cadogan Hall, 5 Sloane Terrace, SW1X 9DQ            

When: Tuesday 14th November 

How much: £25-£35

https://cadoganhall.com/whats-on/ljf23-avishai-cohen-emma-rawicz/

Global jazz pioneer and ECM Saxophonist, Charles Lloyd returns to EFG with his new ‘Ocean Trio’. The band includes pianist Gerald Clayton and guitarist Marvin Sewell. Expect the unexpected with this living jazz legend.

Where: Barbican, Silk Street, EC2Y 8DS 

When: Friday 17th November 

How much: £25-£50+

https://www.barbican.org.uk/whats-on/2023/event/charles-lloyd-ocean-trio-mette-henriette

What else is on? Delve in to music: Three time grammy award winner – Ron Carter, Norah Jones, Madison McFerrin, ‘The Symphonic Music of Wayne Shorter’ ft Esperanza Spalding and lots more

Also not to miss: JazzYoga with Yoga Brunch Club 

60 minute flow, focused on the unity of movement and sound. Accompanied by cellist and multi-disciplinary artist, Francesca Ter-Berg. Think free jazz, dub and ethereal strings.

Where: Southbank Centre / Level 5 Function Room, Belvedere Road, SE1 8XX

When: Sunday 19th November 

How much: £25

Celebrating 15 years of EFG:

The EFG  works with sponsors, funders and individual givers to help bring this array of talent to London – changing lives and giving young artists a voice. Donate directly to the Serious Trust supporting young people and emerging musicians. 

The EFG Jazz festival runs from the 10th until the 19th of November this year. 

Efglondonjazzfestival.org.uk #WEAREJAZZ

“Sweet Dreams of Otherness” is a song that truly sounds like the logical next step for a band like Alexisonfire. The bombastic quintet have always known how to switch up from record to record, maturing their sound as they age, and this heavy, smoky new tune is no different. Guitarist and singer Dallas Green’s soulful voice is on full display here, ranging from moody and restrained to rich, gale-force high notes. Vocalist George Pettit’s iconic rasping growl grants the song a more ferocious edge over the distortion and near-psychedelic feedback din that storms on in the background.

The announcement of Otherness is momentous news indeed for fans of the Ontario band, whose last full-length album Old Crows/Young Cardinals was released all the way back in 2009. The band’s last (thankfully temporary) hurrah of original music was the 2010 Dog’s Blood EP, before they announced in late 2011 that they were splitting up. The band embarked on a multi-country farewell tour and released the Death Letter EP in 2012, which was a reimagining of several songs from their discography.

The band’s split did not last long at all, and by 2015, the group announced a reunion tour, making appearances at the Reading and Leeds Festivals, Riot Fest in Chicago and Heavy Montreal. At the time, Alexisonfire did not seem to have any concrete plans to stay together, however the group went on to play shows in the following years, and in 2019, released their first new music since 2010; the sludgy, explosive single “Familiar Drugs”. This was followed up by two more singles, “Complicit” and “Season of the Flood”, before the COVID-19 pandemic swooped in and pulled everything to a halt for a while.

A full track list for Otherness can be viewed below.

1). ‘Committed To The Con’
2). ‘Sweet Dreams Of Otherness
3). ‘Sans Soleil’
4). ‘Conditional Love’
5). Blue Spade’
6). Dark Night Of The Soul
7). ‘Mistaken Information
8). ‘Survivor’s Guilt
9). ‘Reverse The Curse
10). ‘World Stops Turning’

For any UK fans wishing to catch the band live in the coming months, Alexisonfire will be headlining Slam Dunk Festival in Leeds and Hatfield Park. Tickets can be found here.