South African soprano Golda Schultz joined the Chamber Orchestra of Europe under Robin Ticciati for a Saturday night at the BBC Proms celebrating some of the 20th century’s most distinctive […]

The BBC Proms has previously hosted individual tributes to Black American icons like Nina Simone, Stevie Wonder, and Aretha Franklin. This year’s Soul Revolution Prom cast a wider net, drawing […]

This is a generational talent. I needed little convincing after seeing Samara Joy live at the Barbican for London Jazz Festival a couple of years ago. But she rose to […]

If this was a goodbye, it was a glorious one. As I write this review from my living room table, I’m faced by a striking print of The Supremes by […]

For many, Love to Love You Baby (1975) was their first taste of Donna Summer, the soon-to-be Queen of Disco. A 17-minute symphony of orgasmic moans, the title track still […]

Nina Simone’s work is constantly ripe for interpretation and re-interpretation. With a timeless catalogue marrying romantic tumult with political fury, it’s hard to resist the opportunity to hear these thrilling […]

Lady Blackbird‘s acclaimed debut Black Acid Soul was an austere collection of deep-soul covers. The American singer – real name: Marley Munroe – promoted the album at venues like London’s […]

This festive offering at the Royal Albert Hall was not Jules Buckley‘s first foray into Aretha Franklin’s catalogue. The brilliant arranger and conductor, known for his work with the Metropole […]

Irish singer-songwriter Imelda May admitted feeling perplexed by the invitation to headline the EFG London Jazz Festival. After all, she isn’t currently touring or promoting new material – though she […]

Talk about sounding like the record, British blue-eyed soul artist Rumer gave a knockout performance at the Southbank Centre’s Queen Elizabeth Hall without breaking a sweat. There are plenty of […]

Nina Kristofferson has a thriving cabaret career with long-running tributes to Nina Simone and Billie Holliday often selling out venues like The Pheasantry. For her EFG London Jazz Festival showing […]

British jazz artist Zara McFarlane unveiled her album Sweet Whispers – an homage to Sarah Vaughan – at Ronnie Scott’s Jazz Club earlier this year. I was admittedly curious how the same show would […]

You can’t fault Jazz Voice for its eclecticism. This annual gala, inaugurating each iteration of the EFG London Jazz Festival, serves up an ensemble of soloists often with varying degrees […]

Watching Beverley Knight perform does feel like you’re watching an all-time great. Her voice, brimming with soul but steely in its attack and precision, is one of the finest to […]