The Best Jazz Albums of 2020
Plus some exciting jobs
Join us on Facebook Live for the Best Jazz Albums of 2020 3PM GMT TODAY
This afternoon I’m hosting an online hang-out with Tom Ravenscroft (BBC 6music), Anne Frankenstein (JazzFM, What Goes Around Pod), Haseeb Iqbal (Worldwide FM), China Moses (JazzFM) and Lou Paley (Women In Jazz) to highlight and nerd-off about the best albums in Jazz and beyond from 2020. We’ll be talking about Sault, Angel Bat Dawid, Ego Ella May and more.
Join us on Facebook this afternoon at 3PM for this EFG London Jazz Festival event and tell us your favourite albums of the year.
Album of the Week \\ Danalogue x Alabaster dePlume - I Was Not Sleeping
This is far from the first time that Danologue and Alabaster De Plume have collaborated; we wanted more and - Hallelujah! - did we receive it. Danalogue’s cosmic-wonk and playful grandeur on the keys are a perfect marriage with the wordsmithery of spoken word artist and saxophonist Alabaster De Plume.
I Was Not Sleeping has messages that are both vital and playful, with the concept for the album spurring from the importance of accountability; "If one day in the future someone asks me about this time now, I will have to say, 'I was not sleeping while this happened”, says Alabaster. “I witness what is happening around me now, I recognise I am involved in it, I am part of it, I cannot deny it, and I am prepared to do something to make it better, and to change myself in order to do so."
Download I Was Not Sleeping on Bandcamp, which is out 20 November on Total Refreshment Centre.
Opportunities in Jazz and beyond
NYJO are looking for a new CEO - Nigel Tully MBE is stepping down.
This one is a corker; PRS are looking for a grants and programmes manager.
The next Black History Month US Campaign is focusing on Rock, Hip Hop, House, & Electronic and they need a freelance copywriter.
Arts Council England need a Head of Editorial.
Dice are hiring a UK Head of Music.
Erased Tapes label are looking for a production assistant to do 20 hours a week.
BBC Sounds are seeking an assistant producer with commissioning responsibilites.
If you’re big on tech and education, then this content manager role at FutureDJs could be for you.
Want to enter into digital marketing? Universal are on the hunt for an intern.
The Royal College of London are seeking a marketing manager for their events
Spitfire Audio have a load of roles going, including Marketing Assistant for their excellent Composer Magazine.
Does the title Music Strategy Analyst suit you? TikTok might want to hear from you.
The University of Bern wants your proposals for its next conference, Narrating Musicology.
What have you been up to over 🔒 down?
First of all, an ode to taking some time off; I don’t know if it’s just me, but lockdown has once again provided me with space to hear my own thoughts and to dull my anxieties. I’ve read more in the last two weeks than I have in the last two months, and I’m hanging out even more frequently in my favourite spot, Bandcamp.
Time moves in an ebb and flow of intake and output. There’s times for absorbency - to be inspired, challenged, moved - and output; to create, make and build. I’ve been as absorbent as a new sponge, recently. I can’t wait to see what comes of it. Here’s some people who’ve been pretty active over the UK’s LC2.
Auntie Flo launched a new radio station
Born in the first lockdown and launched on the cusp of the second, Ambient Flo is a 24 hour station featuring 300-track playlists curated by Auntie Flo and guests. The station is asking for 500 backers in its first three months in order to be sustainable.
EFG London Jazz Festival is in full swing
The festival have put everything online and at short notice - no mean feat. We loved Emma-Jean Thackray live from Total Refreshment Centre. This Sunday, check out the 22a showcase lead by head honcho, Tenderlonious.
Tash LC made her Kiss FM debut
Kiss FM have welcomed loveable DJ and broadcaster Tash LC to the station; listen back to her debut show, The Beat of the UK.
Rough Trade reveals Noting Voices: Contemplating London's Culture
Writer, broadcaster - and EZH Best Albums of 2020 guest - Haseeb Iqbal has announced his debut book, and it looks like a gooden. Pre-order here.
News and notable
DJ Mag reported on serious sexual harassment allegations against DJ Derrick May.
Remember my shameless plug in the last issue about James Acaster joining me on Jazz Fix? You can listen back now via BBC Sounds and online.
London In Stereo are currently on hiatus due to COVID 19.
The Music Venue Trust have highlighted 30 venues with a ‘red light focus’ for its #saveourvenues campaign.
The BBC Young Jazz Musician 2020 Final is this Sunday
Did you ever expect Ariana Grande to perform Them Changes with Thundercat and DOMi and DJ Beck? Neither did we.
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Thank you, Tina x