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Saturday 18 November 2017
Tonight’s “top tip” for the London Jazz Festival is a performance of the production MONK MISTERIOSO – a journey into the silence of Thelonious Monk at the Kings Place. Pizza Express hosts two of Scotland’s finest jazz artists, saxophonist Tommy Smith and pianist Brian Kellock for a Lunch Matinee while Gilad Hekselman brings his trio plus special guest saxophonist Mark Turner to the Vortex club.
Top Tip: MONK MISTERIOSO – a journey into the silence of Thelonious Monk – 8:00 pm
Venue: Kings Place (Hall One)
Perhaps the most enigmatic talent to have emerged from the maelstrom of bebop in the 1940s, Thelonious Monk continues to exert a powerful influence on the jazz world, as pianist, composer and as an individual force of nature, who had the courage to go against the racism of his era. In the last seven years of his life, Monk stopped talking and playing, totally isolating himself from the world.
With text by the prominent Italian writer Stefano Benni, Theatralia’s production explores the world of the unique revolution he brought into jazz composition and piano playing, and the mystery of these last seven years, when he decided to close himself into a mysterious silence. Narrator and vocalist Filomena Campus is joined by Cleveland Watkiss, Orphy Robinson, Pat Thomas, Rowland Sutherland, Dudley Phillips and Mark Mondesir, with video design by SDNA.
Tommy Smith & Brian Kellock – 1:30 pm
Venue: PizzaExpress Jazz Club
This afternoon two of Scotland’s finest jazz artists, saxophonist Tommy Smith and pianist Brian Kellock, team up to bring some of the most beautiful, haunting and iconic pieces in the jazz repertoire to Pizza Express. Their sets are largely drawn from the three CDs they have made together for Spartacus records, ‘Bezique’, ‘Symbiosis’ & ‘Whispering of the Stars’, which prominently feature selections from the great American & European Songbooks.
Gilad Hekselman Trio featuring Mark Turner – 8:30 pm
Venue: Vortex
Gilad Hekselman is one of the most talented and well-respected guitar players in the world today. Gilad first gained recognition after winning the 2005 Montreux jazz guitar competition. He has played, performed and recorded with artists such as Mark Turner, Jeff Ballard, Esperanza Spalding, Jeff ‘Tain’ Watts, Avishai Cohen and John Scofield. Tonight we shall be lucky enough to have stunning saxophonist Mark Turner playing with Gilad to help create extra special versions of his music.
For the full schedule visit the EFG London Jazz Festival website.
Last modified: November 28, 2019
