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10 must-see gigs at the EFG London Jazz Festival 2019

Some of the finest musicians from the world of jazz will descend upon the London later this month for a 10-day celebration of the genre.

EFG London Jazz Festival returns to London for its annual extravaganza of all things jazz, hosting hundreds of concerts across multiple venues.

It will celebrate the city’s own incredible scene, welcome masters from overseas, and pay homage to the legends of times gone by — and, in the process, prove just how vital a genre jazz is in 2019.

Here, we’ve picked out 10 hugely anticipated highlights from the festival calendar.

Joao Donato

The Brazilian bossa nova star is a towering icon of 20th century music in South America, and will come to north London for a rare UK outing. Expect to hear some of his most pioneering tracks from across a half-century career.

November 16, The Jazz Cafe, NW1, thejazzcafelondon.com

She Is Jazz

Loucin Moskofian
Loucin Moskofian

Led by SEED Ensemble’s Cassie Kinoshi, She Is Jazz brings together self-identifying women and non-binary people of all musical abilities for a mass-participation concert. Musicians from all over the country applied to take part, and rehearsals were earlier this month — head to the Southbank Centre to see how it all comes together.

November 16, The Clore Ballroom at the Southbank Centre, SE1, southbankcentre.co.uk

Tomorrow’s Warriors Takeover

Tomorrow’s Warriors — the organisation that has nurtured so many of the country’s most exciting young jazz talents in recent times, from Moses Boyd to Nubya Garcia — will host this showcase. London-based vocalist Loucin Moskofian kicks things off, followed by young collective Hypernova and headlined by the Tomorrow’s Warrior’s Quintet. Head down to hear the sound of the future.

November 17, Barbican, EC2Y, barbican.org.uk

Herbie Hancock

The legendary jazz artist has played his part in the evolution of the genre throughout the ages, and continues to shape and mutate its sound even to this day. He’ll prove — as if any more evidence were needed — just how pivotal he’s been at this sold-out show.

November 17, Barbican, EC2Y, https://www.barbican.org.uk/

Elaine Mitchener: Vocal Classics of the Black Avant-Garde

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The fury and passion of the civil rights movement collides with avant-garde jazz experimentalism at this provocative show. Vocal and movement artist Elaine Mitchener leads an ensemble of UK jazz artists as they work through compositions taken from the 1960s and 70s, finding resonance in today’s world.

November 21, Purcell Room at the Southbank Centre, SE1, southbankcentre.co.uk

Alina Bzhezhinska — Hip Harp

While it might not share the same mythical status as the saxophone or the piano in the world of jazz, the harp has been utilised by some of the genre’s masters over the years, from Alice Coltrane to Dorothy Ashby. Alina Bzhezhinska, a modern-day supremo, is the among the best contemporary harpists, and will use the instrument here to blend jazz, Afrobeat and more.

November 21, The Crypt, SE5, jazzlive.co.uk

The Egyptian Jazz Projekt

Back in the 1950s and 60s, artists such as Abdel Halim Hafez and Fareed Al Atrash were forging a glimmering jazz scene in Egypt. At this concert, the sounds and styles of that time will be honoured by The Harfoush Jazz Band — led by London-based vocalist Ahmed Harfoush — with new strands of Latin and swing weaved throughout.

November 22, Rich Mix, E1, richmix.org.uk

Steam Down

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Starting life as a perennially popular jam session down in Deptford, and now one of the leading forces in London’s jazz scene, Steam Down come to east London for this show. The multi-faceted collective, whose vibrant sound traverses genre, will be joined by some of their jazzy friends throughout the evening.

November 23, Compressor House, E16, royaldocks.london

Art Ensemble of Chicago

These free jazz explorers have been pushing the genre in weird and wonderful directions for 50 years now, and will celebrate the milestone at this concert. Still helmed by founder Roscoe Mitchell, the 18-member group will welcome a string of soloists throughout the night, including Shabaka Hutchings and Junius Paul.

November 23, Barbican, EC2Y, barbican.org.uk

SEED Ensemble

Saxophonist and composer Cassie Kinoshi's SEED Ensemble, leapt into the mainstream when they were nominated for the Mercury Prize earlier this year. It was a well-deserved nod, and turned many new fans onto their groovy, multi-layered brand of jazz. If you haven’t checked them out yet, this is the perfect opportunity.

November 24, The Jazz Cafe, NW1, thejazzcafelondon.com