Six of the hottest tickets for the EFG London Jazz Festival

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The annual EFG London Jazz Festival draws the capital’s concert halls, clubs and neighbourhood bars into a 10-day celebration of jazz. This year’s 300-plus gigs range from cross-cultural collaborations and the cutting edge to one-off spectaculars, anniversaries and free-stage showcases for up-and-coming bands.

Pat Metheny

barbican, nov 15

This year’s headliner, guitarist Pat Metheny, plays the first of two solo concerts at the Barbican on Friday November 15, one of 34 opening-night gigs. Metheny, currently in the middle of an extensive world tour, will be performing music from his recent solo albums Dream Box and MoonDial, as well as exploring a back catalogue that ranges from straight-ahead jazz and Latin music to the fury of the avant garde.

Showcasing his extraordinary technique on umpteen custom-made guitars and with the quiet spectacle of a solitary seated figure filling a hall with sound, the live experience should gain a tension that the albums lack.

Charles Tolliver

barbican, nov 18

Edge is guaranteed at the Barbican on November 18, when American trumpeter Charles Tolliver honours the centenary of the late drummer Max Roach’s birth, pioneering musical modernist and political activist. Tolliver will be joined by drummer Darrell Green and Camille Thurman on tenor sax, but the evening’s heft will be delivered by a big band of London-based musicians assembled by saxophonist Tony Kofi. Tolliver played on Roach’s 1968 album Members, Don’t Git Weary and was commissioned by Roach to create a drum suite based on the spiritual “Singin’ Wid a Sword in my Hand”. Both will be referenced, as will selections from Roach’s orchestral work and ebullient small-group jazz.

Crosscurrents Trio

Barbican, Nov 22

The British bassist Dave Holland, American saxophonist Chris Potter and Indian tabla player Zakir Hussain are all festival regulars, appearing together in 2017 and 2019. They now return as the Crosscurrents Trio for a gig at the Barbican on the second Friday of the festival. As before, they will combine the sensuous curves of Indian music with the rhythmic thrust of jazz, but the trio format enables them to explore the fusion of Indian music and jazz at greater depth. The Mongolian singer and songwriter Enji will play a short set in support.

Keyon Harrold

Jazz Café, NoV 20

Jazz has always inspired and been inspired by developments in pop and R&B, and jazz and hip hop have long been intertwined. US trumpeter Keyon Harrold combines the sonic control of an A-list session musician with the creative flair of jazz. Harrold’s long list of credits include Jay-Z, Common and Robert Glasper (pianist Glasper also plays two London Jazz Festival dates at KOKO on November 20 and 21). His album Foreverland delivered jazz freedom with a high gloss and his Ronnie Scott’s gig earlier this year upped the ante live.

Seismic Shift

vortex, Nov 17

UK-born pianist John Escreet pulls the various strands of contemporary jazz piano together in the trio Seismic Shift. Escreet, now living in Los Angeles, spent many years at the centre of New York’s leftfield scene, and now juxtaposes expressionist fury with grimy sonics and ballad lyricism with world-music grooves. Bassist Eric Revis and drummer Damion Reid are equally focused American collaborators, as can be heard on The Epicenter of Your Dreams, Escreet’s recent album.

Kenny Barron

Ronnie Scott’s, Nov 15

Kenny Barron has played at the top end of jazz for more than 60 years — when Dizzy Gillespie recruited him in 1962 he was just 18 — and has led his immaculate trio for the past 20 years. Barron’s music continues to evolve, and his subtle voicings, imperious technique and delicate, sure-fingered touch always engage. Kiyoshi Kitagawa and Johnathan Blake deliver the subtle bass and drum support. With tickets at a premium, Taylor Eigsti’s gig at the same venue on November 18 also stands out.

November 15-24, efglondonjazzfestival.org.uk

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