Headliners include McCoy Tyner and the World Saxophone Quartet, Charles Lloyd collaborating with Zakir Hussain, Archie Shepp, Courtney Pine with the finale is hosted by DJ Peterson.

The first day sets the problematic tone as is it off to ULU for, Acoustic Ladyland (with Twisted Charm and Kid Carpet) or Spitz for Wibutee (what happened to them? They were excellent a few years ago at the North Sea Jazz Festival on Jazzland Records day, “twitchy funk beats, juicy dubs, edgy ambient electronics” are promised) or the Motown-reggae project of Jazz Jamacia All Stars at the Albany Empire?

If you’re not able to get to London, there’s extensive coverage on Radio 3 with the highlight of the broadcast of Salif Keita’s show of 18th on the following day at 3pm.

But there’s a conflict with the F-ire Collective offspring, Polar Bear appearing at Spitz (8pm) whilst their drummer, Seb Rochford is at the Hayward Gallery (6.30pm) with ‘electronica wiz’ Leafcutter John (plus DJ Martin Morales).

On the 16th, there’s two separate sets by keyboard experts Stan Tracey (8pm) as ‘The Godfather of British Jazz’ and BBC Jazz Rising Star, Gwilym Simock (10.45p) at the 606 Club. Simcock is also supporting American pianist Jason Moran at the Purcell Room the following night.

And there’s another conflict as Silhouette Brown are out in East London at Stratford Circus with Deborah Jordan’s “sublime, sensual vocals”. Support comes from Randolph Matthews who guested on Ty’s Upwards album but will be performing his own spiritual folk-soul. Earlier in the day, on the Festival Free Stage (1pm) is the John Law Trio with Hungarian-descended UK bassist Arnie Somogyi and Asaf Sirkis on drums (will he have his Hang?). This is the second chance to see Asaf in the foyer as the previous day he’s leading his own trio with John Parricelli (guitar) and Steve Lodder (organ).

The first Sunday (13th) sees Mike Garrick’s Jazz Britannia Big Band at the Spice Of Life 1pm-4pm which gives us a week to prepare for the follow Sunday’s Gilles Peterson presents The BBC Sessions with Heritage Orchestra, Robert Glasper and special guests at the Barbican. After their Montreux appearance with Dwight Trible, a triumpfull homecoming is expected to match Matthew Herbert’s Big Band set of 2003.

Looks like a busy month ahead.

Links:
London Jazz Festival www.serious.org
Radio 3 www.bbc.co.uk/radio3
Barbican www.barbican.org
606 Club www.606club.co.uk
Spitz www.spitz.co.uk