Jazz South Spotlight with Kevin Le Gendre

In this special episode of Jazz South Spotlight, Kevin Le Gendre speaks to composer, instrumentalist and writer, John K Miles, about his new Radar Commission piece for Jazz South.
River and Ash – Play a Mighty Groove is a reimagining of the myth of ‘Orpheus in the Underworld’ for 8-11 year olds, focussing on the themes of friendship and the power of music. It features John K Miles narrating and playing saxophone, flute and keys, with Winston Clifford on drums and Dave Manington on basses.
The podcast explores John's background, influences and inspirations as well as playing excerpts from his new piece.
Jazz South Spotlight is a podcast series shining a light on outstanding jazz talent from the South of England. Produced by 2 Degrees West for Jazz South.
To listen to John K Miles' new piece, River and Ash – Play a Mighty Groove, in full, visit: https://johnkmiles.bandcamp.com/track/river-and-ash-play-a-mighty-groove.

In this episode of Jazz South Spotlight, Kevin Le Gendre speaks to vocalist and songwriter Sara Colman.
Kevin and Sara talk about writing music during lockdown, triggers for creativity and the Sara Colman Band's new music commission for Jazz South, Turning Over Stones and Ribbons. Plus, they discuss Sara's influences, including her huge affection for Joni Mitchell, a major inspiration, and how 2020 has given Sara time and space to assess what she wants to do over the next couple of years.
The Sara Colman Band, as featured on Sara's new commission for Jazz South, Turning Over Stones and Ribbons, is: Sara Colman - voice; Rebecca Nash - keys; Steve Banks - guitar; Jonathan Silk - drums; Ben Markland - bass; Percy Pursglove - flugelhorn.
"Sara Colman has a rare ability. Not only does she do full justice to the music and lyrics of a song, she also shares the music with her audience with a deep generosity of spirit. And she does it all with wit, with grace and with wisdom" - Peter Bacon, Editor-at-Large, London Jazz News.
Jazz South Spotlight is a new podcast series shining a light on outstanding jazz talent from the South of England. Over 6 episodes Kevin Le Gendre will be meeting six bands selected and commissioned by Jazz South to each write a new piece of music in 2020 as a reimagining of their original live performance programme.
To listen to the Sara Colman Band's new music, Turning Over Stones and Ribbons, in full, visit: www.jazzsouth.org.uk/spotlightpodcasts.

In this episode of Jazz South Spotlight, Kevin Le Gendre speaks to vocalist and band leader Kate Westbrook, of Kate Westbrook and The Granite Band.
Kevin and Kate discuss how the band have adapted to working and recording in lockdown, the origins of the band's name and capturing the sounds of the Dartmoor quarries on their album. Plus, they discuss the The Granite Band's new music commission for Jazz South, Says The Duke, a celebration and tribute to the great Duke Ellington, and memories of seeing the late, great musician in London nearly 50 years ago, a seminal evening for Kate.
The Granite Band is: Kate Westbrook - voice; Roz Harding - saxophone; Jesse Molins - guitar; Matthew North - guitar; Billie Bottle - electric bass; Mike Westbrook - piano/keyboards - Coach York drums.
'"Granite' stands out as one of the greatest British jazz records in recent years and it does so by means of a cross-generational band that knows nothing about musical styles, just outstanding music." Francisco Macias (writer)
Jazz South Spotlight is a new podcast series shining a light on outstanding jazz talent from the South of England. Over 6 episodes Kevin Le Gendre will be meeting six bands selected and commissioned by Jazz South to each write a new piece of music in 2020 as a reimagining of their original live performance programme.
To listen to Kate Westbrook and The Granite Band's new piece, Says The Duke, in full, visit: www.jazzsouth.org.uk/spotlightpodcasts.

In this episode of Jazz South Spotlight, Kevin Le Gendre speaks to vocalist and songwriter Louise Victoria of Bristol-based quartet, We Are Leif.
Kevin and Louise chat about the impact of the pandemic and the struggles the musical community is going through, how the band has stayed creative through this difficult time, the rich musical community in Bristol and the importance of trying to stay connected. Plus, they discuss the thought-provoking lyrics and inspiration for We Are Leif's Jazz South commission, a trilogy of tracks, and a mantra for troubled times.
We Are Leif is: Louise Victoria – vocals; Mark Whitlam – drums & electronics; Dale Hambridge – piano & keyboards; Chris Jones – bass.
“Blending their improv Jazz chops with neo-soul and grown up R‘n’B, and then giving it a smoky, backstreet club vibe borrowed from Trip Hop and unmistakably Bristolian, We Are Leif have created something that is reassuringly familiar yet excitingly new”. Tap The Feed
Jazz South Spotlight is a new podcast series shining a light on outstanding jazz talent from the South of England. Over 6 episodes Kevin Le Gendre will be meeting six bands selected and commissioned by Jazz South to each write a new piece of music in 2020 as a reimagining of their original live performance programme.
To listen to We Are Leif's new music commission, Trinity, in full, visit: www.jazzsouth.org.uk/spotlightpodcasts.

In this episode of Jazz South Spotlight, Kevin Le Gendre speaks to tenor saxophonist and composer Greg Heath of the mighty sextet from Hastings, Hexagonal.
Kevin and Greg discuss Hexagonal's influences and inspirations, from African and Afrobeat to Jazz, and how the group has found ways to stay creative and stay connected during this challenging year. Plus, they discuss how the band approached their new commission for Jazz South, producing a high energy piece, The Temple of Juno.
“The band is impressively hip...with a variety of rich melodies, vibrant harmonies and infectious grooves... The optimism of the music shines through like a shaft of sunlight on a winter’s day.” – London Jazz News
Hexagonal is: John Donaldson – piano; Jason Yarde – alto sax; Greg Heath – tenor sax/flute; Simon Thorpe – bass; Tristan Banks – drums; Graham Flowers or Quentin Collins – trumpet.
Jazz South Spotlight is a new podcast series shining a light on outstanding jazz talent from the South of England. Over 6 episodes Kevin Le Gendre will be meeting six bands selected and commissioned by Jazz South to each write a new piece of music in 2020 as a reimagining of their original live performance programme.
To listen to Hexagonal's new piece, The Temple of Juno, in full, visit: www.jazzsouth.org.uk/spotlightpodcasts.