London Jazz Festival 2006

Firmly established as a major event in the UK’s cultural calendar, the London Jazz Festival in association with BBC Radio 3 continues to push the envelope. The 2006 programme illustrates how the Festival celebrates the extraordinary riches of the jazz tradition, extends boundaries and perceptions, takes the music to new audiences and responds to the vibrant culture of one of the world's great cities.

Venues across the capital welcome a host of major international stars including Wayne Shorter who returns to the capital with his all-star quartet. One of the giants of Latin jazz, pianist Michel Camilo joins flamenco guitar virtuoso Tomatito to play their first London concert.

Iconic South African pianist Abdullah Ibrahimwill play a solo acoustic concert while Randy Weston teams up with the BBC Big Band to premier special arrangements of his music. Oregon return to play their first London concert in many years, with Ralph Towner, Glen Moore, Paul McCandless and Mark Walker. Vocal stars Take 6 fuse gospel and jazz and e.s.tlaunch their brand new album Tuesday Wonderland with a one-off concert for the Festival, in a killer double bill with Polar Bear.

The Festival is proud of its reputation for creating new commissions and collaborations and this year we’re celebrating two of the most influential British players of their generation. Dave Holland’s 60th birthday concert includes his stellar quintet and one of the seminal jazz figures, guitarist Jim Hall. Renowned saxophonist Evan Parker leads his acclaimed Electro-Acoustic Ensemble in their first London concert.

The Festival brings the world to London, connecting jazz with other cultures. Jazz returns to The Roundhouse after many years where the sounds of Brazil can be heard with its hottest new stars Seu Jorge and AfroReggae, hosted by Gilles Peterson. A rich mix is created by Cape Verdean singers Tcheka and Sara Tavares, Greek singer Savina Yannatou and Trevor Watts’ new collaboration with Mexican composer Gibran Cervantes, plus the beautiful voice of singer-songwriter Richard Bona.

Whilst the live events take place across London, BBC Radio 3‘s involvement has enabled the Festival to become a truly international event, with a vast amount of the music presented reaching audiences in the UK and worldwide through broadcasts on the radio and online.

To find out the full shedeule of events visit http://www.serious.org.uk/