Reviews of Prog Rock, Classical Music, Art Rock and Jazz
Shez Raja at Ronnie Scott’s, London in February 2020 Shez Raja was born on the Wirral to an Asian father and an English mother. He began playing violin as a child, but soon switched to bass guitar. He was voted one of the ‘Hottest Bass Players in the World’ by readers of Bass Player Magazine. …
Friday 31 July 2026 Band on the Wall, Manchester ★★★★★ Shez Raja and friends bring joy and virtuosity to a life-affirming gig Guthrie Govan (left) and Shez Raja © Mia Scudds Shez Raja is a great communicator. Dressed in his trademark white suit and cap, he bounded on stage at last Friday's gig at Manchester’s …
Continue reading "Shez Raja feat. Guthrie Govan – Live Review"
10 May 2026 The mini-tour of Europe’s concert venues continues, with a slight diversion… Christiania Jazz Club, Copenhagen On Sunday afternoon, we went to the Christiania Jazz Club in Copenhagen to see the Good Vibes Quartet. Jon Bruland, bass René Mathiesen, drums Morten Grønvad, vibraphone Thomas Clausen, piano So, how does this fascinating and uplifting …
Saturday 18 April 2026 The Bridgewater Hall, Manchester ★★★★★ Jazz and classical music unite in a stunning celebration of the 250th anniversary of American Independence Members of the BBC Philharmonic. Image © Chris Payne Saturday evening's concert by the BBC Philharmonic Orchestra, conducted by Joshua Weilerstein at the Bridgewater Hall in Manchester, was a celebration …
Continue reading "BBC Philharmonic Orchestra – New World Symphony – Live review"
Tuesday 7 April 2026 Band on the Wall, Manchester ★★★★★ Soft Machine launch their new album Thirteen and revisit some classics Soft Machine: John Etheridge, Theo Travis, Fred Baker, Asaf Sirkis Last time I saw Soft Machine's Theo Travis onstage was nearly a year ago, at a much larger venue, the London Palladium, guesting for …
***** Soft Machine return with a new line-up, and their thirteenth studio album, sixty years since the band was formed. The number thirteen is unlucky for some, but the latest version of Soft Machine obviously don't think so. In some cultures, the number is considered a symbol of change, regeneration or growth. Thirteen is the …
Manchester was the place to be for superb performances in 2025 The Year in Classical Music Sometimes going abroad reminds you how good things are at home. In the spring of 2025, I went to the Shostakovich Festival in Leipzig, featuring world-class performers such as the Gewandhausorchester and the Boston Symphony Orchestra. So it was …
Sunday 24 August 2025 Inês Loubet TrioFestival Marquee Inês Loubet Inês Loubet is a Portuguese singer-songwriter who combines Latin Jazz and Brazilian Tropicália, with a touch of soul and funk. She released her debut solo album Senga on the Albert’s Favourites label last year. On Sunday, she was joined in the Festival Marquee by Julio …
Continue reading "Southwell Festival 2025 Day Three – Festival Jazz – Live Review"
Friday 22 August 2025 Mahler and the Folksong - songs from Des Knaben Wunderhorn, and traditional folksongs arr. Gemma Bass The Quire, Southwell Minster This took place in the beautiful and intimate surroundings of the Quire in Southwell Minster. The audience sat in the choir stalls while the musicians performed on the steps to the Chancel. …
Friday 18 July 2025 Future Yard Birkenhead ***** Guthrie Govan Joins Shez Raja for Triumphant Birkenhead Show Shez Raja (and Chris Jerome, back left) This was a triumphant homecoming gig for bass player Shez Raja, returning to his native Birkenhead. Raja announced that he was born on the Wirral; it felt like a home audience …