Si riascolta tramite Mixcloud la speciale puntata di inizio d'anno del programma The Curve Ball dedicata ai trenta migliori titoli, nelle scelte di Chris Evans, prodotti nel 2025. Primo tra tutti, con ampio merito, l'album di Louis Philippe con The Night Mail uscito a inizio maggio per Tapete Records, lo splendido The Road To The Sea.
https://www.facebook.com/TheCurveBall
https://www.mixcloud.com/curve-ball-top-30-albums-2025
Mike Westbrook congeda il 2025 ripensando alle ultime note eseguite in pubblico dalla Band of Bands, l'inattesa ripresa di un celebre tema dedicato ai compianti Danilo Terenzi e Tony Marsh a conclusione del concerto dello scorso 23 novembre al Livermead Cliff Hotel di Torquay: "Torquay was one of those gigs that nobody wants to end. We’ve said pretty well everything that needs to be said, in music, song and improvisation. What’s left? My only thought was a reprise of D.T.T.M., which we’d played in an extended version during the set. There are a few well wrought, time honoured phrases in that short song that are pure gold. I needed to hear them again. Both as an end-of-year signing off and a promise that this special blues will be there next year, and forever. There was a moment of confusion before Marcus took charge, followed by Matt on keyboard, while Pete and Chris were deciding what should happen next. Then the two altos were joined by Karen’s accordion in that bewitching unison sound which is such a feature of the Band of Bands. Quiet and soulful at first, then with Coach and Marcus slipping effortlessly into gear, and choice fills from Matt, taking the line to its passionate conclusion. Kate and I weren’t playing. Just to be there was enough."
https://www.westbrookjazz.co.uk/pictureshow/January2026.shtml
Tra le iniziative che Mark Wastell condurrà nel corso del 2026 per festeggiare i trent'anni di attività della sua encomiabile etichetta Confront Recordings c'è una serie di concerti in forma di dialogo dal titolo Duo-intern in programma a cadenza mensile a Londra presso la Hundred Years Gallery. Il primo incontro, sabato scorso, è stato con il contrabbassista Graham MacKeachan: è documentato su YT.
https://www.confrontrecordings.com
http://hundredyearsgallery.co.uk