Following his hugely successful curatorship of the 2009 Meltdown festival Ornette Colman (“jazz’s greatest surviving revolutionary” – The Guardian ) returns to the Royal Festival Hall, London , on Sunday 20th November for the 2011 London Jazz Festival.

The Festival is a massive undertaking, with more than 250 shows performed in over 50 venues around the UK ’s capital during the annual festival which takes place from Friday 11th to Sunday 20th November 2011. Anyone wishing to stay in the city for the ten-day festival can book a London hotel and enjoy live music from some of the best jazz musicians in the world.

Now in its 19th year, the festival opens with two headline performances. Firstly, ‘Jazz Voice: Celebrating a Century of Song’ at the Barbican Centre is a musical extravaganza hosted by comedienne Victoria in which British trumpeter/composer Guy Barker conducts the 40-piece festival orchestra and a long list of stellar singers bring jazz classics to life. Secondly, on the same night, Indian tabla drummer Zakir Hussain performs at the Royal Festival Hall with sitarist Niladri Kumar and others to present ‘Masters of Percussion’.

Another highlight is McCoy Tyner pianist in John Coltrane’s legendary quartet who, with his trio, is joined by tenor sax player Chris Potter and vocalist Jose James at the Barbican on 12th November for a concert celebrating a special Coltrane collaboration with Johnny Hartman, recorded on the influential Impulse! label which celebrates its 50th anniversary.

Learning and participation are an important part of the festival and there are several events, some of which are free, which offer younger listeners a great introduction to the joys of jazz so you can bring the children, book into a family hotel in London and take them to one of the many educational projects and family events on offer.

The festival is far-reaching in both musical and geographical terms with events taking place across London at landmark venues including the Southbank Centre, the Royal Opera House and the Barbican Centre as well as more intimate locations such as Walthamstow Cricket Club, home of the e17 Jazz Collective, The Forge in Camden North London and The Dysart Arms in Richmond, West London.

Some of the most popular events are already sold out but there are still plenty of tickets available. Go to the official website londonjazzfestival.org.uk for a full programme and ticket information.

Via EPR Network
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