Eric Harland und Dafnis Prieto

In fact it was a James Farm concert! this was the highlight of the London Jazz Festival for me. A rare 10/10 performance. Joining Eric Hadland the drummer were Joshua Redman, Aaron Parks - both of whom I've seen earlier in the year - and Matt Penman on bass. I've seen Redman numerous times and am a great admirer of his work, but I've never seen him play better than here at the Cadogan Hall. Lucky to be in the front row!

Superb musicianship from every member of this ensemble of soloists under the visionary leadership of Dafnis Prieto. How lucky are we to hear them just before they head into the studio to record on Monday and Tuesday!

Let's imagine a dialectic between digital and analog musical experiences. Live performance is analog. Auto-tune and algorithm-selected playlists are digital.

Last night's opening night at Jazz Standard was analog at its richest and most riveting. To see the interaction among the musicians, to hear a broadened tonal spectrum that includes wonderfully fluent baritone sax and bass trombone, to feel the rhythmic complexity and taut strength of professionalism (and to smell and taste the chopped BBQ on a just-right skillet of mac & cheese) was profoundly joyful. Memories for a lifetime were co-created!

Mentors were there (including Henry Threadgill, a hero of creative music and Pulitzer Prizewinner).

Go, if your schedule allows!