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PODCAST

Watford Jazz Junction

This was a weekly jazz chat exploring the personal stories and creative junctions of fabulous and funny musical guests. We produced 54 episodes from 2020-2022 that remain available. We continue to produce the Watford Jazz Junction festival that runs across the penultimate weekend of May each year.

music music commentary

All Episodes

40:47

Chatting with fabulous Alice Zawadzki - composer,...

Watford Jazz Junction ·

2022/03/20

This week we're talking with creative musical supremo Alice Zawadzki - an astonishing singer, violinist and composer.We explore her journey into music via the influences of New Orleans and music colleges, her approach to creativity and reflections on the natural world, and her unbridled and broad appetite for music in all its forms and types.Obviously, there's an extra special quiz, additions to the fantasy house band, and some cracking musical recommendations.Alice's album recommendations

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44:03

Chatting with Mark Armstrong - trumpeter & artistic...

Watford Jazz Junction ·

2022/02/06

This week we're talking with Mark Armstrong - trumpeter, composer, arranger and artistic director of the National Youth Jazz Orchestra.We discover all sorts from tales, from dusty old trumpet shops in to dodgy student band names, from fabulous young NYJO musicians to awesome players in the world's greatest bands - it's a musical big band treat!Mark's album recommendations included:Cookin' and Relaxin' (double disc) by Miles Davis (1958) on PrestigeComing About by Maria Schneider (1996) on

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37:38

Chatting with pianist, composer & collaborator Alex Webb

Watford Jazz Junction ·

2022/01/30

This week we're joined by the super talented and very interesting Alex Webb - pianist, composer, arranger and serial collaborator.We chat about his fabulous new album British Standard Time featuring Jo Harrop, Carroll Thompson, Luca Manning and Tony Momrelle, reflect on the jazz scene in the UK in some depth and explore all the motivations behind continuing to write and create.It's a beaut!Alex's album recommendations, include:Songs in the Key of Life by Stevie Wonder (1976) released on TamlaMiles

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29:23

Chatting with Jess Gillam - saxophonist, presenter...

Watford Jazz Junction ·

2022/01/23

This week we're in conversation with Jess Gillam MBE, presenter of the This Classical Life Podcast as well as being a hugely talented saxophonist and awesome performer.We chat about all sorts including her musical pathways into professional life, her influences, and her reflections on the importance of music for mental wellbeing.Oh, and we discuss the critical issues of Marmite or marmalade, greatest Abba songs, and cope with the jaw dropping revelation of which instrument Jess would drop from a

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33:12

Chatting with harp & bass duo Tara Minton & Ed Babar...

Watford Jazz Junction ·

2022/01/16

This week we're joined by Tara Minton and Ed Babar to find out more about their new album, 'Two for the Road'.We chat about all sorts including Tara's musical journey from Australia to the UK, the influence of early education on Ed, and learn why Lithuania and The Netherlands are go to jazz countries!Their album recommendations include:Blue by Joni Mitchell (1971) released on RepriseThe Clown by Charles Mingus (1957) released on AtlanticMusic for Large & Small Ensembles by Kenny Wheeler (1990)

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33:01

Chatting with Dave O'Higgins about playing sax,...

Watford Jazz Junction ·

2022/01/09

We launch 2022 and Series 9 of the WJJ Podcast in conversation with UK saxophonist Dave O'Higgins.We talk about his journey into music, the influences on route, and the people he's played with and those he continues to create with, having come through the jazz scene of the 1980s playing alongside Mark Nightingale and Gerard Presencer to forming new partnerships today with Rob Luft and leading his own Quartet.Dave's album recommendations include:Go! by Dexter Gordon (1962) released on Blue NoteBlue

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31:02

Chatting with Ayanna Witter-Johnson - cellist, singer...

Watford Jazz Junction ·

2021/12/26

We round off 2021 with a hugely enjoyable conversation with celebrated cellist, singer & composer Ayanna Witter-Johnson.We talk about playing on the big stage, balancing musical interests, and all the many influences that have made Ayanna such an original and in-demand musician.Ayanna's album choices include:Africa to America: The Journey of the Drum by Sounds of Blackness (1994) released on PerspectiveInnervisions by Stevie Wonder (1973) released on TamlaTo Pimp A Butterfly by Kendrick Lamar

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41:44

Chatting with Barney Stevenson, artistic director of...

Watford Jazz Junction ·

2021/12/19

In our penultimate episode of 2021 we chat with Barney Stevenson, who's the artistic director of the Marsden Jazz Festival based in Yorkshire, England.Soon to celebrate 30 years, we chat about how the festival survived lock-down and invented some new online offerings, how their audience has developed over the years, and how they've supported new musicians and promoted new music.Barney's album recommendations include:New Bottle Old Wine by Gil Evans (1958) released on World PacificBelonging by Keith

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45:38

Holidays Special 2021 with Camilla George, Lotti...

Watford Jazz Junction ·

2021/12/12

A festive podcast journey aboard our star-packed Polar Jazz Express as we travel through the snow-capped highlands of Watford to a little place called ‘Jazzmas’.We’re joined by jazzman & sax player to the stars Ben Castle, Tomorrow’s Warrior & all-round sparkling jazz legend Camilla George, super classy classical soprano Lotti Newstead, & shimmering YouTube prog rocker Jim Newstead.We programme the Cab Cabaret Fantasy Stage as presented by the fabulous Ray Gelato, deliver much punning

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65:18

Chatting with vibes player Anthony Kerr about live...

Watford Jazz Junction ·

2021/12/05

In this week's bumper episode we take the time out to talk with Anthony Kerr, professor of jazz vibraphone at the Royal College of Music, and a long time vibist on the world jazz scene.We explore the importance of mental and physical well-being for musicians, the conditions for a perfect jazz gig, the Belfast, Dublin, New York and London jazz scenes, and take in a full 101 on the evolution of the vibes. It's super interesting!Anthony's album recommendations include:Transition by John Coltrane (1965)

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33:06

Chatting with Ohio-based jazz producers Unc D about...

Watford Jazz Junction ·

2021/11/28

Unc D (musicians Dante Basista & Danny Svenson) are an Ohio-based remix and production team who've seen a huge growth of interest across the last 18 months in their jazz-heavy tracks, influenced by the London scene.We chat about how UK jazz releases of the last 5 years (especially the work of Kamaal Williams and Brownswood Recordings) are so important to their music, garage-sized jazz production, and how their work has been gathering popularity, particularly on Spotify.There's some tinkering to

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27:06

Chatting with Jagadeesh Ramanujam Mudambi & Madhuri...

Watford Jazz Junction ·

2021/11/21

In our first crossing to India, we have a fabulous conversation with the talented and entertaining musicians behind the Indian world/jazz fusion band, MoonArra.Jagadeesh (guitar) and Madhuri (singer & songwriter) share their outlook of the Bangalore (Bengaluru) music scene, talk about the evolution of the band, and playing festivals the world over.We talk about the power and importance of collaborations, International Jazz Day and critically make a double-addition to our fantasy house-band

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29:51

Chatting with tenor player & singer Ray Gelato about...

Watford Jazz Junction ·

2021/11/14

As you'd expect in the company of Ray Gelato, this is an extremely entertaining episode to conclude the current series.We chat about rhythm & blues, finding your chops in the company of great recordings from the past, and understanding what it is to perform and entertain whilst still being yourself.We talk about lots of the great tenor players from history, what it takes to be a Giant in Ray's band, and get a full account of what a truly great night out in Soho looks like!Ray's album choices

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33:47

Chatting with MOBO-winning jazz musician and composer...

Watford Jazz Junction ·

2021/11/07

We're still celebrating our first year anniversary as part of this fabulously entertaining and giggly conversation with pianist Zoe Rahman.We talk about all her educational stepping stones, influences and people that played a part in crafting her sound from Julian Joseph to Joanne Brackeen.We also talk about her latest award-winning composition working with her local primary school that led to Jamie Cullum donating a grand piano, and with the school set to become the latest jazz venue as part of

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43:22

Chatting with pianist Elliot Galvin in our 1-year...

Watford Jazz Junction ·

2021/10/31

The WJJ Podcast turns 1-year old this week, and we celebrate in conversation with the hugely talented, funny and thoughtful pianist & composer Elliot Galvin.A long-time member of 2020 Mercury nominated jazz super-group Dinosaur, leader of his own trio and player in many other groups, Elliot talks about his journey into jazz, his relationship with the piano and his approach to composition.It might also be the first (& last!) time we manage to bring Noam Chomsky, Beyonce, David Lynch and

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19:50

Chatting with pianist Greg Foat about the UK jazz scene

Watford Jazz Junction ·

2021/10/24

In this week's episode we talk with pianist Greg Foat about his musical influences, his journey into jazz and his reflections on the current UK jazz scene.We discuss growing up on the Isle of Wight, his extensive record collection and his approach to working with other musicians and creating great collaborations.Plus there's a bonus appearance by our youngest ever guest!Greg's album choices include:Gyroscope by Gordon Beck (1969) released on MorganRemember of Love by Masuru Imada (1979) released on

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25:16

Chatting with Jo Harrop about singing, the blues, and...

Watford Jazz Junction ·

2021/10/17

In this week’s episode we chat with the fabulous singer and songwriter Jo Harrop.We chat about her new album 'The Heart Wants', working with Christian McBride, being feted by Iggy Pop, playing on the London scene, and responding to the joys and pains of life through song-writing.There’s lots of laughs, some deep dives into the healing power of music, an exceptionally complex quiz(o), and some great album recommendations including:Sweet Bitter Love by Aretha Franklin (1967) released on SonySarah

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24:47

Chatting with pianist and composer Paul Edis about...

Watford Jazz Junction ·

2021/10/10

In this week’s episode we chat with the very talented pianist, composer and arranger Paul Edis.We chat about his latest album "The Still Point of the Turning World", his creative processes when working within classical and jazz genres, and who he turns to for support as a musician and a creator.There’s of course a very taxing quiz(!), an evolution within our fantasy house band, and some fabulous album recommendations that even made the host’s hairs stand up on his arms, including:Night Train by

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32:57

Chatting with singer & composer Irene Serra about her...

Watford Jazz Junction ·

2021/10/03

In this week's episode with chat with Italian-born singer Irene Serra.She shares more about her journey to the UK via Copenhagen and Milan, settling in to jazz life in Hackney, developing her fabulous band ISQ and her creative influences including dance.We discuss her upcoming album, remixing and listening to music and of course there's a quiz, top 3 album choices and a vocal addition to the house band. It's a lovely chat all round!Irene's album recommendations include:Piano and A Microphone 1983 by

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40:17

Chatting about spiritualism: contrasting Tool,...

Watford Jazz Junction ·

2021/09/26

In this week's episode, Chris is joined by his lovely siblings Lotti and Jim.Lotti is a concert soprano & music appreciation tutor; Jim is a rock drummer and online music reviewer.We all 3 pick a different album to share and contrast as we reflect on musical spiritualism across the contrasting worlds of classical, rock and jazz music. There's also a very exciting hooter!Our featured albums are:Lateralus by Tool (2001) released on VolcanoThe 5th Symphony by Jean Sibelius - recommending Sir John

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54 results

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