Radio 3 are coming live from Ronnie Scott’s from 10.30pm with a preview of LJF presented by Jez Nelson that will no doubt feature the master vibraphonist Bobby Hutcherson who is appearing at the famous club tonight whilst over at the QEH there’s
Dennis Rollins’ Velocity Trio plays opposite John Scofield’s Piety Street Band; who said Friday 13th was unlucky?

The Festival is headed by the living legend of Sonny Rollins (for a 101 check out his Milestone Profiles at his only UK date (14th November at the Barbican) but there’s a rich tapestry of all things jazz as usually up to Sunday 22 November 2009.

There are so many acts and events it is well worth getting hold of the brochure (see links below) but just picking up on people recently featured on FLY, try Roberto Fonseca on Saturday (14th), on Sunday it’s either Robert Glasper, Bilal and Stonephace (at QEH) or a solo gig by Vijay Iyer at the Purcell Room (don’t forget the Vijay Iyer trio album Historicity), Monday finds Robert Mitchell’s 3io (showcasing this years’ The Greater Good album) supporting Branford Marsalis, Tuesday it’s Omar Puente is at the Jazz Cafe launching his debut album From There To Here, Wednesday is dominated by John Surman celebrating his 65 year and then Thursday, what a choice with Gilberto Gil or Bill Frisell, Mike Gibbs and the BBC Symphony Orchestra or Cleveland Watkiss at 50 or Get The Blessing with Taylor McFerrin ot, top of my list of the night and the festival is the return of Karen P to Cargo with a …Broadcasting session.

Why’s is that then? Well, she’s joined up again with Red Bull Music Academy and as special the London Jazz Festival event, the special guests are Build An Ark all the way from LA with a Zen Badizm Workshop with IG Culture, Kaidi Tatham and lots more too! See the review of the brilliant new Build An Ark album Lover (Part 1) (see HERE) that’s coming out on Kindred Spirits.

On Friday, the best choice looks like it’s between, Mercury Music Prize nominated Led Bib (who released their fourth album this year, Sensible Shoes) at the Vortex or Polar Bear at the Jazz Cafe.

Saturday finds one of the finest musicians/pianists doing a bit of a Gareth Malone, Gwilym Simcock and The Voice Project - a choral work called ‘I Prefer Gorgeous Freedom’ (a concert that will be broadcast on Radio 3 on 27th December) and whilst not officially part of the festival, don’t forget Matthew Halsall will be live at Another Sunday Afternoon At Dingwalls with Gilles Peterson and Patrick Forge (22nd 12.30 until 7pm-ish); Halsall’s latest album is called Colour Yes and it’s highly recommended.

And talking of trumpets, if you’ve still got the energy, if you get down to the Barbican Marcus Miller is ‘revisiting’ Miles Davis’ album Tutu (great album, great cover) with Christian Scott.

The above is a mere selection of what is going on so there’s bound to be something for to that will get the jazz fan in you excited.

Links:
www.londonjazzfestival.org.uk
www.bbc.co.uk/radio3/londonjazzfest/
Dennis Rollins’ Velocity Trio plays opposite John Scofield’s Piety Street Band at Queen Elizabeth Hall, Southbank Centre, Belvedere Road, London SE1
on Friday 13 November 2009
www.cargo-london.com Thu 19th Nov, BROAD CASTING PRESENTS… BUILD AN ARK + DJS: IG CULTURE + ANTAL + KAREN P 7pm-1am £10 adv - £13 on the door
www.dingwalls.com