Click an image
to enlarge. (Top & right hand side)
It has been said, but it is necessary
to repeat…The 2007 London Jazz Festival was a resounding
success!
All musicians, organisers and promoters
(Serious & co) deserve a pat on their backs for producing an
exciting and varied programme that highlighted the many flavours
of the wonderful world known as JAZZ, world music and fusion.
Jazz Festival patrons had so much
to choose from this year, so much to smile about and, so much to
dance to. Even the hardest faced health and safety officer could
not stop eager patrons from dancing in the aisles during the Jazz
Jamaica gig. Frantic attempts to keep people confined to their seats
were just ignored. The message was clear. Patrons wanted to get
up, dance and enjoy themselves.
Too many high points to mention
here without requesting an increase in web space, but I will never
forget, the Latin Funk Fever caused by Five Funky Fellas at the
Ballroom of the Royal Festival Hall, the delicate, yet playful touch
of the Jeff Neeve Trio at the Pizza Express Jazz Club and the sweet
soothing vocals of Lizz Wright at the We Love Ella Tribute. It was
also more than a pleasure to meet the delightfully unpredictable
Melody Gardot, and to exchange loving words with the ever-reliable
Juliet Roberts during the quieter moments of her very busy schedule.
Without doubt the pièce de
résistance had to be my ten-second duet (Stevie Wonder’s
Golden Lady) with Raul Midón at the Southbank. Unfortunately
the only people present to hear my honeyed vocals where the mixing
engineers, one other photographer and Raul Midón. They do
say the Lord works in mysterious ways!
Featured musicians:
Michael Mwenso, Winston Clifford and Sax Mafia & Ayanna Witter-Johnson
Robin Francis
© Michael Valentine Studio Ltd.
|