Welcome to the 4th episode of our drummer focused series‘Sticks and Thrones’ with host Migdalia Van Der Hoven, with our guest Red Fielder-van Kleeff
Our podcasts are available on all platforms and are currently at number 6 in the top 60 best Jazz podcast on FeedSpot featuring original music from Migdalia Van Der Hoven available here
Migdalia van der Hoven is an International Award winning Mexican drummer currently touring with SIX theMusical across the UK. She is also a Vater Drumsticks, Bosphorus Cymbals and RTOM Corporation artist and a Berklee College of Music graduate (where she studied and performed with Jackie Santos, Terri Lynn Carrington, Victor Mendoza and Mark Walker). She is known for her groove, sensitivity and versatility across multiple genres such as funk, jazz, fusion, latin jazz, pop and world music. She became the first Mexican Female drummer to ever perform at Ronnie Scott’s and the EFG London Jazz Festival. Migdaliahas become “Woman of the year 2022” in Mexico in arts and culture for her contribution in music nationally and internationally.
Red Fielder-van Kleeff is a drummer/percussionist, and graduated from the Royal Northern College of Musicin 2024. Red is currently touring the UK with Defying Gravity - West End Women, and previously toured with ELF the musical, at the moment she is playing for jazz artist Bryony Jarman Pinto with an upcoming show in São Paulo on the 24th October.
Red has performed across the UK and internationally for various different projects and artists across her career so far.
Welcome to the latest episode of our podcast series’ The Notes Between’ with Lara Eidi. Conversations exploring everything behind and about the world of songwriting! Our theme music ‘Breathe Love’ is from Lara Eidi herself available here
In this episode, Lara talks to Filomena Campus
Filomena Campus is a jazz vocalist, composer, lyricist, academic, theatre director, and radio presenter, who wasborn in Sardinia, and since 2001 has been based in London, England. Her performance style characteristically fuses jazz, theatre, performance art, and literature. She is the founder of the company Theatralia, and has curated the Theatralia Jazz Festival. In December 2023, Campus was awarded the honour of “Cavaliera” (Dame) of the Order of Merit of the Italian Republic.
Upcoming Show:
2025: Nov 9 |Filomena Campus Quartet | The Pheasantry, Pizza Express Jazz Club, Chelsea |London Tickets here
Athens born to Lebanese Canadian parents, Lara Eidi is an artist that thrives on being different. As an independent artist, singer and multi- instrumentalist, she has carved a path for herself that continuously aimed at reshaping and developing her voice as a storyteller. An accomplished and reputable singer-songwriter, pianist, recording artist and jazz- folk vocalist of her own accord based in London and Athens. Her music has gained her critical acclaim as a genre bending artist (BBC Artist, 2020), described as “a singer with true giftof a voice, a kind soul, and a captivating presence.” (Jazz UK). At the heart of her being as a multi-disciplinary artist, she is sought after as a composer for vocal film scores, writes as a freelance music journalist, and is in demand as a creative workshop leader. Her music seeks to elevate and heal,and as a result, she creates genre- defying songs with a great emphasis on story telling. Her latest album ‘Sun’, her long awaited debut album, is all about pulling the threads of herfolk, acoustic rock and jazz-classical upbringing to her message of hope, empowerment, and freedom. As a soloist, her recent debut performance at the infamous Royal Albert Hall, singing select pieces from Greece and Lebanon formthe Medieval Byzantine Traditions sees Lara engaging on a series of select and innovative performances with the SAUDHA Indian Classical Music Association.
Welcome to the latest episode of ‘In Conversation With’ with host and producer Hannah Horton, with our theme tune Surfing Thermals from our host, Hannah too! In this episode, host Hannah Horton welcomes Anjali Perin
Our podcasts have been featured at number 7 on the Top 10 Women In Media Podcasts on the web by Feedspot and you can also find our podcasts at number 9 in the top 60Best Jazz Podcasts in FeedSpot!
Anjali Perin is a vocalist, pianist, songwriter and arranger-producer specialising in jazz, funk and soul working as a full time musician since graduating from the Jazz Mastersprogramme at the Guildhall School of Music and Drama after leaving her previous career as a corporate lawyer to pursue her musical path. . Her first jazz album was signed to Jazzizit records and featured some of the best jazz musicians inthe UK.
She works as a performer, songwriter with a variety of freelance musicians across the British jazz and soul scene, and is a University lecturer on songwriting degree and Masters programmes in London. In 2016, she establisheda community choir for Mums in her local area of St Albans, Mamas With Voices, and has also worked a deputychoir-leader with the NHS choir Breathe Harmony featuring staff from St Thomas’ and Guys’ Hospitals in London as a Breathe Arts Health Research Artist. She has also lectured inhigher music education for a number of years and is currently a Senior Lecturer on the Master in Songwriting and Bachelor of Songwriting programmes at the Institute of Contemporary Music Ltd in London. Where she teaches a variety of writing and perfomance-focussed Modules.
Anjali’s performing highlights performing with her own bands at Ronnie Scott’s Jazz Club, Pizza Express Jazz Club (Dean Street), the Spice of Life, Smollensky’s on the Strandand both the Royal Festival Hall and National Theatre as part of their jazz events programme. She has also performed at the Love Supreme festival and for Quincy Jones at The Montreux Jazz festival in Switzerland.
Anjali also was commissioned as lead composer to write the majority of songs for a work-in progress musical theatre work “The Coloured Valentino” with script by BeverlyAndrews, which is in production under She’s Diverse and Circles Productions which has received funding for development by The Arts Council.
Hannah Horton is a British Female Jazz Saxophonist whose music is rooted in jazz, folk and funk. She has performed with many great jazz artists including Ian Shaw, Amy Winehouse, John Etheridge, Tina May, Georgia Mancio, Polly Gibbons, Natalie Williams, Esther Bennett and Irene Serra; and at venues including Ronnie Scott’s, Pizza Express Dean St, The 606, The Pheasantry, Love Supreme Jazz Festival, Royal Festival Hall and The Barbican. She has also toured in Europe and USA with her own and other groups. Her latest album hasbeen going down a storm across the world. “Hannah makes the big beast of a baritone sax sound like an angel” – Ian Shaw. Hannah Horton website
Welcome to the latest episode of our podcast series’ The Notes Between’ with Lara Eidi. Conversations exploring everything behind and about the world of songwriting! Our theme music ‘Breathe Love’ is from Lara Eidi herself available here
In this episode, Lara talks to pianist, singer and composer Fabienne Ambuehl
Fabienne Ambuehl is a London-based pianist, singer and composer born in Switzerland. Her new album ‘Thrive‘ was released in January 2025 on the progressive label UbuntuMusic. The band successfully showcased the album at a sold-out show at the Vortex Jazz Club in London. ‘Thrive‘ has received glowing reviews from the international jazz press. Jazzwise Magazine rewarded it four stars and it has received regular radio play in the UK, including BBC Radio 3 Jazz Record Requests, ‘Round Midnight and Night Tracks. On the Catalan public radio 3cat, there is an hour-long programme about Fabienne’s music and the single “New Ones” was featured track and on the JazzFM C playlist for several weeks. The album was also presented on Deutschlandfunkkultur and ARD Jazz - Das Magazin and wasselected “Album of the Week” on both Presto Music and the German Rondo - Magazin für Klassik und Jazz. Her band is a dynamic ensemble of brilliant musicians – Matt Ridley on bass (The Antidote, The Darius Brubeck Quartet) and Jon Scott on drums (Mulatu Astatke, GoGo Penguin, Sons of Kemet XL), with special guest guitarists Tom Ollendorff and Ant Law. Ambuehl has a strong sense of ensemble interplay and balance between individual expression and collective cohesion. Ambuehl’s music is inspired by her surroundings, from the sounds and silence of the mountains, where she finds a deep connection with nature, to the rhythms and soundscapes of the big city. Her melodic ideas and detailed arrangements are rooted in jazz, playing with a folk-tinge and showcase her expressive and supple piano playing. Her vocals “are crystal clear, distinct and refreshingly free of jazz clichés” and as a writer she “has a poetic sensibility and uses expertly a range of poetic techniques in her lyrics”. In addition to leading her trio and quartet and performing solo, Fabienne has collaborated with the Noga Ritter band and worked in Senegal as an Arts Council England-supported residency.She has conducted choirs herself for many years and was the soloist for Jazz Choir Freiburg who she toured in Germany and Austria and was their improvising soloist at the Eurovision Song Contest for Choirs in Riga, Latvia (2017). Fabienne Ambuehl website click here
Athens born to Lebanese Canadian parents, Lara Eidi isan artist that thrives on being different. As an independent artist, singer and multi- instrumentalist, she has carved a path for herself that continuously aimed at reshaping and developing her voice as a storyteller. An accomplishedand reputable singer-songwriter, pianist, recording artist and jazz- folk vocalist of her own accord based in London and Athens. Her music has gained her critical acclaim as a genre bending artist (BBC Artist, 2020), described as “a singer with true gift of a voice, a kind soul, and a captivating presence.” (Jazz UK). At the heart of her being as a multi-disciplinary artist, she is sought after as a composer for vocal film scores, writes as a freelance music journalist, and is in demand as a creative workshop leader. Her music seeks to elevate and heal, and as a result, she creates genre- defying songs with a great emphasis on story telling. Her latest album ‘Sun’, her long awaited debut album, is all about pulling the threads of her folk, acoustic rock and jazz-classical upbringing to her message of hope, empowerment, and freedom. As a soloist, her recent debut performance at the infamous Royal Albert Hall, singing select pieces from Greece and Lebanon formthe Medieval Byzantine Traditions sees Lara engaging on a series of select and innovative performances with the SAUDHA Indian Classical Music Association.
Welcome to the latest episode of our podcast series’ The Notes Between’ with Lara Eidi. Conversations exploring everything behind and about the world of songwriting! Our theme music ‘Breathe Love’ is from Lara Eidi herself available here
In this episode, Lara talks to Canadian-British singer songwriter and multi-instrumentalist Fiona Bevan
Fiona has just released her self-produced ‘Girl With Telescope’ EP, including her dazzling exploration of post-heartbreak ecstasy ‘Faultlines’, and her acapella clarion call of female freedom and pleasure, ‘Peaches’. She is now startingto release singles from her forthcoming self-produced EP ‘First Woman On The Moon’, a set of brand new songs exploring hope, love and female desire against a political backdrop, with otherworldly melodies on piano and unique guitar tunings.
Written, performed and produced by Fiona, these two sister EPs form an emotional, organic, uplifting, psychedelic journey. Her previous EP, ‘Wild Angels Sweet Demons’,was produced by Grammy award-winning engineer Robin Baynton (Laura Marling, Isaac Gracie), released independently, and went straight to number 2 in France,and number 7 in both the UK and Canada iTunes singer-songwriter charts. The EP was an eagerly awaited follow up to Fiona’s debut studio album, 'Talk To Strangers', which was one of iTunes “best of 2014” and was released in UK, Europe, Australia and Japan in 2014 and in USA and Canada in 2015 with Conveyor/Universal Canada.
Playing live, Fiona has toured Canada with Hawksley Workman and Whitehorse, Australia with BusbyMarou, and in the UK with Ruston Kelly and The Wandering Hearts, after they met onstage playing at The Bluebird in Nashville; Fiona has also toured with Ed Sheeran, Nick Mulvey, Ingrid Michaelson, Adam Ant, and has played onstage accompanying Anoushka Shankar and Nitin Sawhney.
In between releases Fiona has been working as a multi-platinum songwriter, writing hit songs for Billie Marten, Aurora, Lewis Capaldi, Tom Walker, Kylie, Ed Sheeran, Matthew E. White and many more.
Fiona is currently the face of the Credits Due Campaign working with Björn Ulvaeus from ABBA tohelp songwriters in the music industry. She fights for songwriter rights as a Director of the Ivors Academy.
Fiona Bevan website click here
Athens born to Lebanese Canadian parents, Lara Eidi is an artist that thrives on being different. As an independent artist, singer and multi- instrumentalist, she has carved a path for herself that continuously aimed at reshaping and developing her voice as a storyteller. An accomplished andreputable singer-songwriter, pianist, recording artist and jazz- folk vocalist of her own accord based in London and Athens. Her music has gained her critical acclaim as agenre bending artist (BBC Artist, 2020), described as “a singer with true gift of a voice, a kind soul, and a captivating presence.” (Jazz UK). At the heart of her being as a multi-disciplinary artist, she is sought after as a composer for vocal film scores, writes as a freelance music journalist, and isin demand as a creative workshop leader. Her music seeks to elevate and heal, and as a result, she creates genre- defying songs with a great emphasis on story telling. Her latest album‘Sun’, her long awaited debut album, is all about pulling the threads of her folk, acoustic rock and jazz-classical upbringing to her message of hope, empowerment, and freedom. As a soloist, her recent debut performance at theinfamous Royal Albert Hall, singing select pieces from Greece and Lebanon form the Medieval Byzantine Traditions sees Lara engaging on a series of select and innovative performances with the SAUDHA Indian Classical Music Association.
Welcome to the latest episode of ‘In Conversation With’ with host and producer Hannah Horton, with our theme tune Surfing Thermals from our host, Hannah too! In this episode, host Hannah Horton welcomes Klara Devlin
Our podcasts have been featured at number 7 on the Top 10 Women In Media Podcasts on the web by Feedspot and you can also find our podcasts at number 9 in the top 60Best Jazz Podcasts in FeedSpot!
Those in the know are already excited about the rise of trumpeter Klara Devlin on the Birtish jazz scene.
A finalist in the BBC Young Jazz Musician of the Year 2024, Klara’s material draws inspiration mainly from the Bebop and Hard Bop eras, mixed with a soupcon of Funk and improv, while her influences span Freddie Hubbard, Lee Morgan, EllaFitzgerald, Herbie Hancock, Roy Hargrove, Chick Corea, and Wayne Shorter.
“Klara Devlin, remember her name, she is in my opinion one of the most amazing and unique new trumpet voices to emerge onto the UK jazz scene. To coin the famous quote ‘ifya ain’t got it in ya, ya can’t blow it out’. Klara Devlin definitely has it, and definitely blows it out of her horn! I’m about 2-3 jazz generations in front of her and I’ve never been this excited about a young musician in a while, definitely a stylist who’ll be making new waves for the next generation.” Tony Kofi, saxophonist
Hannah Horton is a British Female Jazz Saxophonist whose music is rooted in jazz, folk and funk. She has performed with many great jazz artists including Ian Shaw, Amy Winehouse, John Etheridge, Tina May, Georgia Mancio, Polly Gibbons, Natalie Williams, Esther Bennett and Irene Serra; and at venues including Ronnie Scott’s, Pizza Express Dean St, The 606, The Pheasantry, Love Supreme Jazz Festival, Royal Festival Hall and The Barbican. She has also toured in Europe and USA with her own and other groups. Her latest album hasbeen going down a storm across the world. “Hannah makes the big beast of a baritone sax sound like an angel” – Ian Shaw. Hannah Horton website
Welcome to the latest episode of our podcast series ’The Notes Between’ with Lara Eidi. Conversationsexploring everything behind and about the world of songwriting! Our theme music ‘Breathe Love’ is from Lara Eidi herself available here
In this episode, Lara talks to Singer, songwriter and producer Naadia Sheriff
Naadia Sheriff is a UK Jazz Pianist, Composer, Musical Director Arranger, and educator. She is a founder member of Yazz Ahmed’s Hafla band with whom she appears on the Jazz FM award winning album ‘Polyhymnia’ and in tribute to Chick Corea on the recent Bluenote “Re-imagined volume II’ and on Yazz’s latest release ‘A Paradise in the Hold’
Naadia has been collaborating with Kate Dimbleby for over ten years, and their duo album of Dory Previn songs was an iTunes number 1 album on its release in 2015. She also appears on two other of Kate’s albums including 2024’s ‘Deep Waters’ (where the track ‘Endings’ is from). Over the last few years she has also worked with Lara Eidi, with whom the track ‘Anon’ was recorded, remotely during lockdown.
Naadia was a member of the band ISQ for three years until PhD studies took over! The track ‘Where Beauty Lives’ is from the album Requiem for the Faithful—the Remixes, in which a different musician reimagined a track from the original album of the same name.
As an educator, Naadia teaches at St Paul’s Girls’ School and Merchant Taylors Boys’ School and is an ABRSM examiner. She also has three arrangements of jazz standards in the current Trinity exam board piano syllabus.
Naadia is currently a doctoral student at the University of Kent researching ‘Women in Contemporary UK Jazz’
Athens born to Lebanese Canadian parents, Lara Eidi is an artist that thrives on being different. As an independent artist, singer and multi-instrumentalist, she has carved a path for herself that continuously aimed at reshaping and developing her voice as a storyteller. An accomplished andreputable singer-songwriter, pianist, recording artist and jazz- folk vocalist of her own accord based in London and Athens. Her music has gained her critical acclaim as agenre bending artist (BBC Artist, 2020), described as “a singer with true gift of a voice, a kind soul, and a captivating presence.” (Jazz UK). At the heart of her being as a multi-disciplinary artist, she is sought after as a composer for vocal film scores, writes as a freelance music journalist, and isin demand as a creative workshop leader. Her music seeks to elevate and heal, and as a result, she creates genre- defying songs with a great emphasis on story telling. Her latest album‘Sun’, her long awaited debut album, is all about pulling the threads of her folk, acoustic rock and jazz-classical upbringing to her message of hope, empowerment, and freedom. As a soloist, her recent debut performance at theinfamous Royal Albert Hall, singing select pieces from Greece and Lebanon form the Medieval Byzantine Traditions sees Lara engaging on a series of select and innovative performances with the SAUDHA Indian Classical Music Association.
Welcome to the latest episode of our podcast series’ The Notes Between’ with Lara Eidi. Conversations exploring everything behind and about the world of songwriting! Our theme music ‘Breathe Love’ is from Lara Eidi herself available here In this episode, Lara talks to Singer, songwriter and producer China Moses
Singer, songwriter and producer China Moses evolves her artistry in truth. Defiantly real, her music resists what so many labels and critics desire: category. She captivates listeners with her deep pocket, sensitivity and wit, drawing inspiration from endless styles in the expansive lineage of Black American music.
Frank and fearless, China’s songs document fleeting emotional states and extended narratives, often leaning into self-reflection both in lyric and phrasing. Her voice is a satinribbon wrapped around a crackling flame. Listeners fortunate to observe her in live performance know the depth of her song interpretation. In a moment she can revolve a world.
The self-dubbed high school dropout has been an artist her entire life. Daughter of legendary activist and director Gilbert Moses III and internationally acclaimed musician Dee Dee Bridgewater, China understands the music and its surrounding culture from the inside out.
A global artist and citizen, China has performed in more than 800 shows across six continents in the past 12 years. She has appeared at Ronnie Scott’s, Jazz Café, Barbican Centre and Royal Albert Hall in London, Olympia, UNESCO International Jazz Day and La Cigale in Paris, Vienna Konzerthaus, Berlin Opernhaus, Elbphilharmonie and Dresdner Philharmonie in Germany and Birdland and Nublu in New York City.One of her hidden skills is that of a powerhouse researcher — as a performing and recording artist, a broadcast professional and an international educator. China’s commitment to authentic representation and inclusive perspectives has garnered critical acclaim and peer acknowledgement. She’s a member of the 2013 Young Leader graduating class of the French American Foundation, holds the title Chevalier of St Emilion & Bergerac and has lent her expertise as a panellist at the 2020 Montreux Jazz Academy.
Athens born to Lebanese Canadian parents, Lara Eidi is an artist that thrives on being different. As an independent artist, singer and multi- instrumentalist, she has carved a path for herself that continuously aimed at reshaping and developing her voice as a storyteller. An accomplished andreputable singer-songwriter, pianist, recording artist and jazz- folk vocalist of her own accord based in London and Athens. Her music has gained her critical acclaim as agenre bending artist (BBC Artist, 2020), described as “a singer with true gift of a voice, a kind soul, and a captivating presence.” (Jazz UK). At the heart of her being as a multi-disciplinary artist, she is sought after as a composer for vocal film scores, writes as a freelance music journalist, and isin demand as a creative workshop leader. Her music seeks to elevate and heal, and as a result, she creates genre- defying songs with a great emphasis on story telling. Her latest album‘Sun’, her long awaited debut album, is all about pulling the threads of her folk, acoustic rock and jazz-classical upbringing to her message of hope, empowerment, and freedom. As a soloist, her recent debut performance at theinfamous Royal Albert Hall, singing select pieces from Greece and Lebanon form the Medieval Byzantine Traditions sees Lara engaging on a series of select and innovative performances with the SAUDHA Indian Classical Music Association.
Welcome to the latest episode of our podcast series’ The Notes Between’ with Lara Eidi. Conversations exploring everything behind and about the world of songwriting! Our theme music ‘Breathe Love’ is from Lara Eidi herself available here In this episode, Lara talks to songwriter Georgia Mancio
Multi-award-winning jazz vocalist, lyricist and producer, Georgia Mancio, celebrates her 25th anniversary in music with a series of highlight concerts and the spring releaseof her 9th album, ‘A Story Left Untold’ (Roomspin Records), co-written with Grammy-winning pianist/composer, Alan Broadbent.
A supreme storyteller whose performances connect deeply with her audiences, Georgia’s work is characterisedby authenticity, creativity, collaboration and a commitment to social and humanitarian issues.
Throughout this landmark year, she will feature her Quartet (Robin Aspland, Andrew Cleyndert, Dave Ohm); introduce new projects (Sam Dunn, Tony Kofi, Alex Hutton) and revisit her most pivotal partnerships (Liane Carroll, Ian Shaw, Nigel Price, Kate Williams, Gareth Lockrane). Central to these, is her revered 12 year association with Alan Broadbent, with whom she has written over 40 songs, published two books and performed across Europe and the US, including iconic venues, Ronnie Scott’s and Jazz at Lincoln Center (NYC).
Their new album, ‘A Story Left Untold’, masterfully blends the personal and political, across duo, quartet and orchestral settings. Set for release on 1 May with an accompanying 10 date tour, it completes a trilogy with the critically acclaimed ‘Songbook’ and ‘Quiet Is The Star’.
Georgia’s expansive artistry is reflected in her copious industry acknowledgements: First Prize in the Brussels International Jazz Singers’ Competition, presided over by Sheila Jordan ; Best Album (‘Finding Home’) and Best Vocalist at the Parliamentary Jazz Awards, and multiple nominations at the Jazz FM, British Jazz and Urban Music Awards. Her reputation has been further consolidated by her formidable production skills, encompassing ‘ReVoice!’ – the international voice festival she devised and directed across multiple venues for 5 editions with artists including Gregory Porter, Carmen Lundy, Tuck & Patti, Beady Belle and Karin Krog and its successor, ‘Hang’.
She also co-directs Eltham and Crystal Palace Jazz Clubs with drummer Dave Ohm, and her own independent label, Roomspin Records. Other credits include Pat Metheny (lyric approval),Bobby McFerrin, Bobby Wellins, Robert Mitchell, Nikki Iles and BBC Proms.
Athens born to Lebanese Canadian parents, Lara Eidi is an artist that thrives on being different. As an independent artist, singer and multi- instrumentalist, she has carved a path for herself that continuously aimed at reshaping and developing her voice as a storyteller. An accomplished andreputable singer-songwriter, pianist, recording artist and jazz- folk vocalist of her own accord based in London and Athens. Her music has gained her critical acclaim as agenre bending artist (BBC Artist, 2020), described as “a singer with true gift of a voice, a kind soul, and a captivating presence.” (Jazz UK). At the heart of her being as a multi-disciplinary artist, she is sought after as a composer for vocal film scores, writes as a freelance music journalist, and isin demand as a creative workshop leader. Her music seeks to elevate and heal, and as a result, she creates genre- defying songs with a great emphasis on story telling. Her latest album‘Sun’, her long awaited debut album, is all about pulling the threads of her folk, acoustic rock and jazz-classical upbringing to her message of hope, empowerment, and freedom. As a soloist, her recent debut performance at theinfamous Royal Albert Hall, singing select pieces from Greece and Lebanon form the MedievalByzantine Traditions sees Lara engaging on a series of select and innovative performances with the SAUDHA Indian Classical Music Association.
Welcome to the latest episode of ‘In Conversation With’ with host and producer Hannah Horton, with our theme tune Surfing Thermals from our host, Hannah too! In this episode, host Hannah Horton welcomes Georgia Mancio
Our podcasts have been featured at number 7 on the Top 10 Women In Media Podcasts on the web by Feedspot and you can also find our podcasts at number 9 in the top 60Best Jazz Podcasts in FeedSpot!
Multi-award-winning jazz vocalist, lyricist and producer, Georgia Mancio, celebrates her 25th anniversary in music with a series of highlight concerts and the spring releaseof her 9th album, ‘A Story Left Untold’ (Roomspin Records), co-written with Grammy-winning pianist/composer, Alan Broadbent.
A supreme storyteller whose performances connect deeply with her audiences, Georgia’s work is characterised by authenticity, creativity, collaboration and a commitment to social and humanitarian issues.
Throughout this landmark year, she will feature her Quartet (Robin Aspland, Andrew Cleyndert, Dave Ohm); introduce new projects (Sam Dunn, Tony Kofi, Alex Hutton) and revisit her most pivotal partnerships (Liane Carroll, Ian Shaw, Nigel Price, Kate Williams, Gareth Lockrane). Central to these, is her revered 12 year association with Alan Broadbent, with whom she has written over 40 songs, published two books and performed across Europe and the US, including iconic venues, Ronnie Scott’s and Jazz at Lincoln Center (NYC).
Their new album, ‘A Story Left Untold’, masterfully blends the personal and political, across duo, quartet and orchestral settings. Set for release on 1 May with an accompanying 10 date tour, it completes a trilogy with the critically acclaimed ‘Songbook’ (2017) and ‘Quiet Is The Star’ (2021).
Georgia’s expansive artistry is reflected in her copious industry acknowledgements: First Prize in the Brussels International Jazz Singers’ Competition, presided over by Sheila Jordan (2006); Best Album (‘Finding Home’, 2020) and Best Vocalist (2021) at the Parliamentary Jazz Awards, and multiple nominations at the Jazz FM, British Jazz and Urban Music Awards. Her reputation has been further consolidated by her formidable production skills, encompassing ‘ReVoice!’ – the international voice festival she devised and directed across multiple venues for 5 editions with artists including Gregory Porter, Carmen Lundy, Tuck & Patti, Beady Belle and Karin Krog (2010-2014) – and its successor, ‘Hang’ (2017-2019).
She also co-directs Eltham and Crystal Palace Jazz Clubs with drummer Dave Ohm, and her own independent label, Roomspin Records (2001-). Other credits include Pat Metheny (lyric approval),Bobby McFerrin, Bobby Wellins, Robert Mitchell, Nikki Iles and BBC Proms (2019).
Hannah Horton is a British Female Jazz Saxophonist whose music is rooted in jazz, folk and funk. She has performed with many great jazz artists including Ian Shaw, Amy Winehouse, John Etheridge, Tina May, Georgia Mancio, Polly Gibbons, Natalie Williams, Esther Bennett and Irene Serra; and at venues including Ronnie Scott’s, Pizza Express Dean St, The 606, The Pheasantry, Love Supreme Jazz Festival, Royal Festival Hall and The Barbican. She has also toured in Europe and USA with her own and other groups. Her latest album hasbeen going down a storm across the world. “Hannah makes the big beast of a baritone sax sound like an angel” – Ian Shaw. Hannah Horton website
Welcome to the latest episode of our podcast series’ The Notes Between’ with Lara Eidi. Conversations exploring everything behind and about the world of songwriting! Our theme music ‘Breathe Love’ is from Lara Eidi herself available here
In this episode, Lara talks to songwriter Yumi Ito
With her voice, Yumi Ito creates worlds far beyond all boundaries. The Polish-Japanese-born Swiss is considered one of the most outstanding representatives of vocal improvisation and moves effortlessly between genres and her roles as a singer, pianist and composer. Ito's own music iscorrespondingly diverse, a veritable ocean of art-pop, jazz and neoclassical music. Based on countless concerts and tours, the musician acts like a Zen master, clear, reflective and with a uniquely powerful energy.
Milestones in her career include performances at the Blue Note New York (US), Montreux Jazz Festival (CH), tours in Asia, South America, Europe and five released albums as a band leader, most recently the critically highly acclaimed Ysla (2023 via enja records).
Ito regularly fills international concert venues and festivals to capacity, including recent sold out shows at the JazzArt Festival at NOSPR in Katowice (Poland), the Veneto Jazz Festival at the legendary La Fenice in Venice (Italy), the Akbank Jazz Festival in Istanbul (Turkey), the Euro Venezuelan Jazz festival (Venezuela) and the ZOA Festival in Ardagger Stift (Austria). The prize winner of the Montreux Jazz Competition was selected for the Focus Year Program under Wolfgang Muthspiel at the Jazzcampus Basel (2017–2018), received the High Priority Jazz Grant from Pro Helvetia (2022–2024), and was unanimously chosen by the Jazzahead jury for a Showcase at Jazzahead in Bremen, Germany (2024).
Yumi Ito performs solo or with her band, which includes“drum poet” Iago Fernández, double bassist Nadav Erlich and guitarist Alessio Cazzetta. Always in focus: the creation of musical worlds in the spirit of boundlessness.
Athens born to Lebanese Canadian parents, Lara Eidi is an artist that thrives on being different. As an independent artist, singer and multi- instrumentalist, she has carved a path for herself that continuously aimed at reshaping and developing her voice as a storyteller. An accomplished andreputable singer-songwriter, pianist, recording artist and jazz- folk vocalist of her own accord based in London and Athens. Her music has gained her critical acclaim as agenre bending artist (BBC Artist, 2020), described as “a singer with true gift of a voice, a kind soul, and a captivating presence.” (Jazz UK). At the heart of her being as a multi-disciplinary artist, she is sought after as a composer for vocal film scores, writes as a freelance music journalist, and isin demand as a creative workshop leader. Her music seeks to elevate and heal, and as a result, she creates genre- defying songs with a great emphasis on story telling. Her latest album‘Sun’, her long awaited debut album, is all about pulling the threads of her folk, acoustic rock and jazz-classical upbringing to her message of hope, empowerment, and freedom. As a soloist, her recent debut performance at theinfamous Royal Albert Hall, singing select pieces from Greece and Lebanon form the Medieval Byzantine Traditions sees Lara engaging on a series of select and innovative performances with the SAUDHA Indian Classical Music Association.
Welcome to the latest episode of our podcast series’ The Notes Between’ with Lara Eidi. Conversations exploring everything behind and about the world of songwriting! Our theme music ‘Breathe Love’ is from Lara Eidi herself available here
In this episode, Lara talks to songwriter Louise Dodds
Best Vocalist nominee at the Scottish Jazz Awards 2022 and 2023, Scottish jazz vocalist Louise Dodds is set to release her 4th studio album on Norwegian contemporary jazz label AMP Records. The album is written by Louise, based on her own experiences and the experiences of those closestto her. The release date is set for 14th March 2025, and also features Elchin Shirinov (arrangements and piano), Max Luthert (double bass) and Dave Hamblett (drums) and was mixed and mastered by Grammy winning engineer Chris Allen (Samara Joy, Gretchen Parlato). The album has been funded by Creative Scotland.
In May 2023, Louise released her third studio album, a duo project with Azerbaijani pianist, arranger and composerElchin Shirinov titled Two Hours After Midnight. The album brought together their love of folk, classical and jazz and was supported by Creative Scotland. The album received 4 star reviews from Jazzwise, All About Jazz and MOJO Magazine,as well as critical acclaim from press in Europe, America and Japan, and was selected by All About Jazz as one of theirtop jazz albums of 2023. It also resulted in Louise being the focus of a podcast on Switzerland’s national station RTS.
The duo then worked on a writing commission through PRS Foundation for Music on the theme of Belonging, with lyrics by Louise and music by Elchin. The subsequent compositions were performed as part of their summer 2024 tour. Prior to this release, Louise released her first album in 9 years in March 2022. The album, ‘The Story Needs an Ending’,was also Louise’s first fully original album. She took the album on the road, performing 12 dates across Scotland, Northern Ireland and England. The album was selected by Jim Gilchrist in his Arts Review of 2022 in The Scotsman.It was also selected as Album of the Week in the UK, Central America and Asia.
Athens born to Lebanese Canadian parents, Lara Eidi is an artist that thrives on being different. As an independent artist, singer and multi-instrumentalist, she has carved a path for herself that continuously aimed at reshaping and developing her voice as a storyteller. An accomplished andreputable singer-songwriter, pianist, recording artist and jazz- folk vocalist of her own accord based in London and Athens. Her music has gained her critical acclaim as agenre bending artist (BBC Artist, 2020), described as “a singer with true gift of a voice, a kind soul, and a captivating presence.” (Jazz UK). At the heart of her being as a multi-disciplinary artist, she is sought after as a composer for vocal film scores, writes as a freelance music journalist, and isin demand as a creative workshop leader. Her music seeks to elevate and heal, and as a result, she creates genre- defying songs with a great emphasis on story telling. Her latest album‘Sun’, her long awaited debut album, is all about pulling the threads of her folk, acoustic rock and jazz-classical upbringing to her message of hope, empowerment, and freedom. As a soloist, her recent debut performance at theinfamous Royal Albert Hall, singing select pieces from Greece and Lebanon form the MedievalByzantine Traditions sees Lara engaging on a series of select and innovative performances with the SAUDHA Indian Classical Music Association. Lara Eidi website
Welcome to the latest episode of ‘In Conversation With’ with host and producer Hannah Horton, with our theme tune Surfing Thermals from our host, Hannah too! In this episode, host Hannah Horton welcomes Tara Minton
Our podcasts are named as one of the Top 15 Women In Media Podcasts on the web by Feedspot and you can also find our podcasts at number 9 in the top 60 Best Jazz Podcasts in FeedSpot!
Tara Minton is an Australian born harpist, vocalist and composer. She is proudly endorsed by Camac Harps and
holds a master's degree in jazz performance from The Guildhall School of Music and Drama. Tara is well established as both an improvising harpist and vocalist and has worked with The Australian World Orchestra, Björk, Tom Walker, Miranda Mulholland, “Kitty, Daisy and Lewis”, SuRie, Stan Sulzmann, Tony Kofi and Geoff Gascoyne. She leads her own original project as a harpist/vocalist and sings with “The Blues and Roots Ensemble” - a London based nine-piece band celebrating the music of Charles Mingus.
In 2020 Tara released her critically acclaimed album ‘Please Do Not Ignore The Mermaid’ exploring themes of climate change and mer-myth. She consolidated the album's success with an intimate duo album released in January 2022 - ‘Two For The Road’ with bassist Ed Babar. The album was produced by Geoff Gascoyne and features Stan Sulzmann on tenor saxophone.
Tara is a passionate music educator and advocate for the harp in jazz and improvised music. She was appointed Professor of Jazz Harp at the London Performing Academy of Music in 2021 and has given masterclasses in jazz and improvisation at many of the country’s top music colleges.
Tara is also one of the three Directors of SpiceJazz Soho alongside Paul Pace and Clement Reger and co-hosts The Jazz Podcast with saxophonist Rob Cope. “An otherworldly collection that brings the harp centre stage” - The Sunday Times Tara Minton website
Hannah Horton is a British Female Jazz Saxophonist whose music is rooted in jazz, folk and funk. She has performed with many great jazz artists including Ian Shaw, Amy Winehouse, John Etheridge, Tina May, Georgia Mancio, Polly Gibbons, Natalie Williams, Esther Bennett and Irene Serra; and at venues including Ronnie Scott’s, Pizza Express Dean St, The 606, The Pheasantry, Love Supreme Jazz Festival, Royal Festival Hall and The Barbican. She has also toured in Europe and USA with her own and other groups. Her latest album has been going down a storm across the world. “Hannah makes the big beast of a baritone sax sound like an angel” – Ian Shaw. Hannah Horton website
Welcome to the latest episode of ‘In Conversation With’ with host and producer Hannah Horton, with our theme tune Surfing Thermals from our host, Hannah too! In this episode, host Hannah Horton welcomes Charlotte Keeffe AND Lara De Belder Musician, trumpeter and flugelhorn player Charlotte Keeffe wears her love for freely improvising, free jazz and abstract music-making on her (brightly coloured) sleeve. Whether performing regularly as a soloist (Sound Brush), or leading a variety of different ensembles, including her RIGHT HERE, RIGHT NOW Quartet, she meticulously carves out spaces for the free movement of ideas and individual expression. Inspired by abstract painters, Keeffe refers to her instruments as ‘Sound Brushes’. Her debut album ‘Right Here, Right Now’ is where you’ll find her exhibiting a passion for vibrant soundscapes rendered in live spaces. Released in 2021 on Discus Music, Keeffe earned critical acclaim and carved out a niche on the imprint, also composing, performing and co-leading (with Discus Music's head, Martin Archer), for/on a number of the record label's artists/projects. Keeffe's 2nd album is out now (released September 2023) and features her RIGHT HERE, RIGHT NOW Quartet, ALIVE! in the studio... Harnessing the power of art for social change is a crucial part of Keeffe’s musical identity: she has served as Assistant Musical Director of the London Gay Big Band, champions gender and diversity equality, as part of the Parliamentary award-winning Women in Jazz Media team, and played at the World Economic Forum 2019, in front of world leaders and celebrities including Sir David Attenborough. Keeffe understands that embracing individuality and letting go of inhibitions is the surest way to grasp the transformative power of music.
Originally from North Yorkshire, London-based Actor, Singer & Writer Lara de Belder studied Music at the University of Leeds before training in Musical Theatre at the Royal Academy of Music in London. With a musical background spanning choral and classical music, musical theatre, jazz, blues and pop music, Lara has worked as a performer and creator in theatre, film, TV and concert and is the co-writer and creator of new British comedy musical, Bird Brigade, alongside Luka Antony Bjelis, directed by Grace Taylor (SIX) and long-listed for the Stiles and Drewe Mentorship Award 2021.
Lara's passion for an eclectic range of musical genres has influenced her as a solo artist and writer of original material fusing pop with flavours of jazz, blues, funk, soul, RnB, hip hop, folk and electronic dance styles, first launching in May 2021 with Turn It Over. Describing her music as 'jazzpop', Lara takes inspiration from artists such as Celeste, Jacob Collier, Melody Gardot, Jamie Cullum, Ella Fitzgerald, Erykah Badu, Lizzo, Amy Winehouse, Robyn and Jessie Ware. Her music has been featured on BBC Introducing on BBC Radio Tees with Rianne Thompson and Rachel Teate as well as other radio programmes and podcasts including a placement on Bulgarian National Radio. Lara is also a writer and vocalist with upcoming Sony-AMG artist EnEyeCee, DWB Music Publishers and Gift Of Music.
Hannah Horton is a British Female Jazz Saxophonist whose music is rooted in jazz, folk and funk. She has performed with many great jazz artists including Ian Shaw, Amy Winehouse, John Etheridge, Tina May, Georgia Mancio, Polly Gibbons, Natalie Williams, Esther Bennett and Irene Serra; and at venues including Ronnie Scott’s, Pizza Express Dean St, The 606, The Pheasantry, Love Supreme Jazz Festival, Royal Festival Hall and The Barbican. She has also toured in Europe and USA with her own and other groups. Her latest album has been going down a storm across the world. “Hannah makes the big beast of a baritone sax sound like an angel” – Ian Shaw. Hannah Horton website
Welcome to our podcast series ‘On The Bookcase’, featuring female authors from across the world, with host Fiona Ross and original music from Hannah Horton. We were excited to find our podcasts named as one of the Top 15 Women In Media Podcasts on the web by Feedspot! Huge thank you to them! You can also find our podcasts at number 9 in the top 60 Best Jazz Podcasts in FeedSpot!
In this episode we welcome Dr Alexis McGee, to talk about her new book, From Blues to Beyoncé: A Century of Black Women’s Generational Sonic Rhetorics
Dr. Alexis McGee received her Ph.D. from the University of Texas at San Antonio where she also received two certificates of concentration in Linguistics and Rhetoric and Composition. Drawing from this background, McGee is an interdisciplinary scholar who engages with various fields and sub-disciplines such as Rhetoric, Composition/Writing Studies, Black Studies, Critical Pedagogies, Sound Studies, as well as Women and Gender Studies. Her concentrated research interests, more specifically, focus on Black women’s rhetorical uses of voice, literacies, and expression.
McGee’s book, From Blues to Beyoncé: A Century of Black Women’s Generational Sonic Rhetorics, (SUNY 2024), amplifies Black women’s ongoing public assertions of resistance, agency, and hope across different media from the nineteenth century to today. By examining recordings, music videos, autobiographical writings, and speeches, Alexis McGee explores how figures such as Ida B. Wells, Billie Holiday, Ruth Brown, Queen Latifah, Aretha Franklin, Nina Simone, Janelle Monáe, and more mobilize sound to challenge antiBlack discourses and extend social justice pedagogies. Building on contemporary Black feminist interventions in sound studies and sonic rhetorics, From Blues to Beyoncé reveals how Black women’s sonic acts transmit meaning and knowledge within, between, and across generations.
Her work has been featured on BBC Radio4 and published in various venues including College, Composition, and Communication (forthcoming, 2022); Rhetoric Review (2021); Communication and Critical/Cultural Studies (2018); Obsidian (2017); and Pedagogy (2016).
Welcome to the latest episode of ‘In Conversation With’ with host and producer Hannah Horton, with our theme tune Surfing Thermals from our host, Hannah too! In this episode, host Hannah Horton welcomes Kai Hoffman
Our podcasts are named as one of the Top 15 Women In Media Podcasts on the web by Feedspot and you can also find our podcasts at number 9 in the top 60 Best Jazz Podcasts in FeedSpot!
Originally from Boston, MA, USA, Kai Hoffman is a blues, jazz & cabaret singer, songwriter, bandleader and recording artist based in the United Kingdom. Kai’s international reputation is growing steadily with shows including Don’t Tell Mama and the Metropolitan Room in New York City, The Blue Note in Milan and the European Jazz Expo, with further performances in countries as varied as Bangladesh, the Netherlands and Russia. Kai is also the founder of the Herne Bay Jazz Festival:
Founded by artistic director Kai Hoffman, Herne Bay Jazz Festival CIC became a registered non-profit community interest company in February, 2024. As a CIC, we are currently expanding our year-round programs which will include workshops and performances over the course of the year as well as our August events. With a strong emphasis on exploring this genre of music without the barriers of cost or travel, our program includes new and established performers across a wide range of jazz styles, with free workshops for children and adults to explore their own creativity, offering our audiences the broadest selection possible, with an emphasis on inclusivity. Kai’s links here
Hannah Horton is a British Female Jazz Saxophonist whose music is rooted in jazz, folk and funk. She has performed with many great jazz artists including Ian Shaw, Amy Winehouse, John Etheridge, Tina May, Georgia Mancio, Polly Gibbons, Natalie Williams, Esther Bennett and Irene Serra; and at venues including Ronnie Scott’s, Pizza Express Dean St, The 606, The Pheasantry, Love Supreme Jazz Festival, Royal Festival Hall and The Barbican. She has also toured in Europe and USA with her own and other groups. Her latest album has been going down a storm across the world. “Hannah makes the big beast of a baritone sax sound like an angel” – Ian Shaw. Hannah Horton website
Welcome to the third episode of our drummer focused series ‘Sticks and Thrones’ with host Migdalia Van Der Hoven, with our guest Jenny Pearson-Walinetski
Our podcasts are available on all platforms and are currently at number 9 in the top 60 best Jazz podcast on FeedSpot featuring original music from Migdalia Van Der Hoven available here
Migdalia van der Hoven is an International Award winning Mexican drummer currently touring with SIX the Musical across the UK. She is also a Vater Drumsticks, Bosphorus Cymbals and RTOM Corporation artist and a Berklee College of Music graduate (where she studied and performed with Jackie Santos, Terri Lynn Carrington, Victor Mendoza and Mark Walker). She is known for her groove, sensitivity and versatility across multiple genres such as funk, jazz, fusion, latin jazz, pop and world music. She became the first Mexican Female drummer to ever perform at Ronnie Scott’s and the EFG London Jazz Festival. Migdalia became “Woman of the year 2022” in Mexico in arts and culture for her contribution in music nationally and internationally.
Jenny Pearson-Walinetski is a Drummer and Percussionist based in Manchester UK and is a graduate of the RNCM and Chetham’s School of Music. She currently tours with Miles Kane as well as artists including Bryony Jarman Pinto (Jazz), Molly Wharbuton (Pop) and IORA (Electro Pop and Sync) and has enjoyed over the years playing at festivals such as Glastonbury, Kendal Calling and Tramlines.
Jenny is a current deputy on Six The Musical UK tour and has performed on other musicals such as Hamilton, Fantastically Great Women and Unfortunate Musical. She is involved with her Jazz/DnB duo, j2oh (@j2ohmusic) which has performed at London Jazz Festival, Glasshouse ICM, Royal Albert Hall and in a feature recording with the Halle Orchestra. J2oh look forward to their upcoming album release late 2024.
Aside from gigs, Jenny records from her home studio with her work featured on Spotify Top 100, Netflix film releases UK and USA plus UK and European radio play. She has also featured as a drummer in advertisements for Facebook Meta and one of the Thousands of drummers in a shoot for Ladbrookes!
Welcome to the latest episode of our podcast series’ The Notes Between’ with Lara Eidi. Conversations exploring everything behind and about the world of songwriting! Our theme music ‘Breathe Love’ is from Lara Eidi herself available here
In this episode, Lara talks to songwriter Germana Stella La Sorsa
Italian London-based singer Germana Stella La Sorsa migrated from Puglia, Italy in 2017 and quickly established herself on the London jazz scene. "Nudging boundaries as she goes” (The Slow Music Movement) and exploring “the crossroads of many musical components, including story, composition, genre and style as well as instrumentation and effect” (London Jazz News), La Sorsa released her debut album 'Vapour' in 2021 on 33 Jazz Records.
The singer melds her disparate influences in her second studio album, 'Primary Colours', released in January 2024 - once again on 33 Jazz Records - with the support of Help Musicians. Following the success of 'Vapour', 'Primary Colours' continues to ride the contemporary/avant-garde jazz wave, further exploring the boundaries of improvisation and sound experimentation, drawing upon modern sounds and grooves, from drum’n’bass to Latin music.
Both eclectic and versatile, La Sorsa has performed in the most iconic London jazz venues - such as Ronnie Scott's, The Spice of Life, Vortex Jazz Club, Toulouse Lautrec Jazz Club and Oliver's Jazz Bar - but also Internationally, playing at Jazz Festivals such as the Al Bustan International Festival (Lebanon - with Faris Ishaq and Kham Quartet), Taranto Jazz Festival and Ceglie Jazz Open Festival (Italy).
La Sorsa started performing in Italy at an early age, working her way up through the Italian Jazz scene to ultimately perform at the side of one of the most influential European jazz musicians: Franco Cerri (Chet Baker, Dizzy Gillespie, Billie Holiday, Lee Konitz, Gerry Mulligan, Django Reinhardt and many more). Besides her singing career, Germana currently teaches singing technique and jazz singing both privately and at Morley College (London). Website: Germana Stella La Sorsa
Athens born to Lebanese Canadian parents, Lara Eidi is an artist that thrives on being different. As an independent artist, singer and multi- instrumentalist, she has carved a path for herself that continuously aimed at reshaping and developing her voice as a storyteller. An accomplished and reputable singer-songwriter, pianist, recording artist and jazz- folk vocalist of her own accord based in London and Athens. Her music has gained her critical acclaim as a genre bending artist (BBC Artist, 2020), described as “a singer with true gift of a voice, a kind soul, and a captivating presence.” (Jazz UK). At the heart of her being as a multi-disciplinary artist, she is sought after as a composer for vocal film scores, writes as a freelance music journalist, and is in demand as a creative workshop leader. Her music seeks to elevate and heal, and as a result, she creates genre- defying songs with a great emphasis on story telling. Her latest album ‘Sun’, her long awaited debut album, is all about pulling the threads of her folk, acoustic rock and jazz-classical upbringing to her message of hope, empowerment, and freedom. As a soloist, her recent debut performance at the infamous Royal Albert Hall, singing select pieces from Greece and Lebanon form the MedievalByzantine Traditions sees Lara engaging on a series of select and innovative performances with the SAUDHA Indian Classical Music Association. Lara Eidi website
Welcome to the next episode of our podcast series’ The Notes Between’ with Lara Eidi. Conversations exploring everything behind and about the world of songwriting! Our theme music ‘Breathe Love’ is from Lara Eidi herself available here
In this episode, Lara talks to songwriter Fini Bearman
Fini Bearman is a London-based singer, songwriter, composer & multi-instrumentalist. Her music melds diverse influences from jazz, folk and contemporary songs into an 'arresting and uniquely personal' sound. Working both with and without words, incorporating her love of improvised music, Fini’s voice ‘effortlessly moves between a light precision and warm soulfulness is unmistakably her own’. Her 4th album 'La Loba’ in October 2020 and received glowing reviews and praise from peers and critics including **** from Jazzwise (Editors Choice), allaboutjazz, The Arts Desk (album of the year), and more. This album was an opportunity to explore new songwriting avenues as a solo artist, recording the songs at her home studio in south east London, playing all the instruments (piano, tenor guitar, mandolin, ukulele, charango, tenor saxophone, percussion… all except cello; played by the wonderful Zosia Jagodzinska).
Her fifth studio album, ‘Last Night of The World’ is due for release on Pastiche Records, Autumn 2024, and features a veritable feast of musical brilliance; Tom Cawley, Robin Mullarkey, James Maddren, Matt Calvert, Al Cherry, together with guests Alice Zawadzki, Josia Jagodzinska, Gareth Lockrane, George Crowley & Gwilym Simcock.
Over the past years Fini has worked as both soloist and collaborator/side-woman, touring festivals & venues including Ronnie Scotts, The Sage Gateshead, Kings Place, The Barbican, The A-Trane (Berlin), Cafe Mercedes Jazz (Valencia), Manzioli (Izola, Slovenia) and even New York venue Dizzys (Jazz at the Lincoln Center). Festival highlights include the London Jazz Festival, Manchester Jazz Festival, Cambridge Jazz Festival, 'Jazz Voices' in Lithuania and ’Voicingers' in Poland. Fini has been supported by the Arts Council & Musicians Benevolent Fund and has been nominated for awards including Best Jazz Vocal Album (Deutsche Jazzpreis 2023) & London Jazz Singer of the Year (Global Music Foundation).
Athens born to Lebanese Canadian parents, Lara Eidi is an artist that thrives on being different. As an independent artist, singer and multi- instrumentalist, she has carved a path for herself that continuously aimed at reshaping and developing her voice as a storyteller. An accomplished and reputable singer-songwriter, pianist, recording artist and jazz- folk vocalist of her own accord based in London and Athens. Her music has gained her critical acclaim as a genre bending artist (BBC Artist, 2020), described as “a singer with true gift of a voice, a kind soul, and a captivating presence.” (Jazz UK). At the heart of her being as a multi-disciplinary artist, she is sought after as a composer for vocal film scores, writes as a freelance music journalist, and is in demand as a creative workshop leader. Her music seeks to elevate and heal, and as a result, she creates genre- defying songs with a great emphasis on story telling. Her latest album ‘Sun’, her long awaited debut album, is all about pulling the threads of her folk, acoustic rock and jazz-classical upbringing to her message of hope, empowerment, and freedom. As a soloist, her recent debut performance at the infamous Royal Albert Hall, singing select pieces from Greece and Lebanon form the MedievalByzantine Traditions sees Lara engaging on a series of select and innovative performances with the SAUDHA Indian Classical Music Assocation.
Welcome to the latest episode of ‘In Conversation With’ with host and producer Hannah Horton, with our theme tune Surfing Thermals from our host, Hannah too! In this episode, host Hannah Horton welcomes Wendy Kirkland
Our podcasts are named as one of the Top 15 Women In Media Podcasts on the web by Feedspot and you can also find our podcasts at number 9 in the top 60 Best Jazz Podcasts in FeedSpot!
Pianist and singer Wendy Kirkland has been a mainstay of the UK Jazz scene since the late noughties, but it was her first album, Piano Divas, released in 2017 that began her ascent to wider recognition as a “Singing Pianist”, as dubbed by Jazz Journal. The ability to sing at the same time as comping and craft solos on the piano or unison piano/voice scat lines is her forte, with influences such as Diana Krall, Eliane Elias and Dena DeRose. Further accolades were given for her 2019 release The Music’s On Me, dubbed “a huge leap forward” by Jazz Views. Both albums prompted ACE funded tours all over the UK and constant radio airplay ever since.
During lockdown from March 2020, Wendy and guitarist/bassist husband Pat Sprakes entertained with a daily dose of Latin American music on Facebook which they entitled Latin Lockdowns. After 86 such performances they decided it was time to move on to other musical endeavours, but were amazed and pleased to receive daily messages from people who described the videos in such terms as “a ray of sunshine” in their lockdown situations.
Wendy will be performing at our special event on June 27th to celebrate jazz vocalists and women in the jazz industry to raise money for renowned jazz vocalist Anita Wardell. Five outstanding vocalists from the British jazz scene, Vimala Rowe, Lily Dior, Esther Bennett, Diana Torti and Fiona Ross will bring their unique artistry to a range of jazz standards in an evening full of jazz tradition and elegant atmosphere, all accompanied by Wendy!. Women in Jazz Media presents: Jazz Sisters: A celebration of vocal jazz
Wendy’s musical career began at age 10, when she started taking piano lessons. She won a scholarship to have all her lessons paid for by Derbyshire Music, and continued to take her ABRSM piano grades. Switching to jazz in her late teens, Wendy continued her playing career as a dance class pianist, accompanist to singers and as a keyboardist in club bands. After being persuaded to sing by a great friend and guitarist, Bill McCreath, Wendy learned to reach people who are perhaps turned off by instrumental jazz, as she learnt to communicate with the audience through the songs.
Wendy’s voice has been likened to Blossom Dearie with hints of Diana Krall.
Hannah Horton is a British Female Jazz Saxophonist whose music is rooted in jazz, folk and funk. She has performed with many great jazz artists including Ian Shaw, Amy Winehouse, John Etheridge, Tina May, Georgia Mancio, Polly Gibbons, Natalie Williams, Esther Bennett and Irene Serra; and at venues including Ronnie Scott’s, Pizza Express Dean St, The 606, The Pheasantry, Love Supreme Jazz Festival, Royal Festival Hall and The Barbican. She has also toured in Europe and USA with her own and other groups. Her latest album has been going down a storm across the world. “Hannah makes the big beast of a baritone sax sound like an angel” – Ian Shaw. Hannah Horton website