This week we're talking with creative musical supremo Alice Zawadzki - an astonishing singer, violinist and composer. We explore her journey into music via the influences of New Orleans and music colleges, her approach to creativity and reflections on the natural world, and her unbridled and broad appetite for music in all its forms and types. Obviously, there's an extra special quiz, additions to the fantasy house band, and some cracking musical recommendations. Alice's album recommendations included: Faint by Taylor Deupree (2012) on Norman Records JS Bach: ThreeOrOne by Fred Thomas, Aisha O ..read more

This week we're talking with Mark Armstrong - trumpeter, composer, arranger and artistic director of the National Youth Jazz Orchestra. We discover all sorts from tales of dusty old trumpet shops in Watford to dodgy student band names, from fabulous young musicians in NYJO to awesome players in the world's greatest bands - it's a musical big band treat! Mark's album recommendations included: Cookin' and Relaxin' (double disc) by Miles Davis (1958) on Prestige Coming About by Maria Schneider (1996) on Enja Plugged In and Live by Earth, Wind & Fire (1996) on Pyramid Support the show! You can ..read more

This week we're joined by the super talented and very interesting Alex Webb - pianist, composer, arranger and serial collaborator. We chat about his fabulous new album British Standard Time featuring Jo Harrop, Carroll Thompson, Luca Manning and Tony Momrelle, reflect on the jazz scene in the UK in some depth and explore all the motivations behind continuing to write and create. It's a beaut! Alex's album recommendations, include: Songs in the Key of Life by Stevie Wonder (1976) released on Tamla Miles Ahead by Miles Davis (1957) released on Columbia The Audience with Betty Carter (198 ..read more

This week we're in conversation with Jess Gillam MBE, presenter of the This Classical Life Podcast as well as being a hugely talented saxophonist and awesome performer. We chat about all sorts including her musical pathways into professional life, her influences, and her reflections on the importance of music for mental wellbeing. Oh, and we discuss the critical issues of Marmite or marmalade, greatest Abba songs, and cope with the jaw dropping revelation of which instrument Jess would drop from a symphony orchestra... Jess's album recommendations include: Blackstar by David Bowie (2016) relea ..read more

This week we're joined by Tara Minton and Ed Babar to find out more about their new album, 'Two for the Road'. We chat about all sorts including Tara's musical journey from Australia to the UK, the influence of early education on Ed, and learn why Latvia and Holland are go to jazz countries! Their album recommendations include: Blue by Joni Mitchell (1971) released on Reprise The Clown by Charles Mingus (1957) released on Atlantic Music for Large & Small Ensembles by Kenny Wheeler (1990) released on ECM Support You can help support the podcast and keep us ad free. Especially useful ..read more

We launch 2022 and Series of the WJJ Podcast in conversation with UK saxophonist Dave O'Higgins. We talk about his journey into music, the influences on route, and the people he's played with and those he continues to create with, having come through the jazz scene of the 1980s playing alongside Mark Nightingale and Gerard Presencer to forming new partnerships today with Rob Luft and leading his own Quartet. Dave's album recommendations include: Go! by Dexter Gordon (1962) released on Blue Note Blue Train by John Coltrane (1958) released on Blue Note Led Zeppelin IV by Led Zeppelin (1971) rele ..read more

We round off 2021 with a hugely enjoyable conversation with celebrated cellist, singer & composer Ayanna Witter-Johnson. We talk about playing on the big stage, balancing musical interests, and all the many influences that have made Ayanna such an original and in-demand musician. Ayanna's album choices include: Africa to America: The Journey of the Drum by Sounds of Blackness (1994) released on Perspective Innervisions by Stevie Wonder (1973) released on Tamla To Pimp A Butterfly by Kendrick Lamar (2015) released on AME, Aftermath & Interscope Support You can help support the podcast a ..read more

A special reading of Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas by Cerys Matthews, exclusively for the Watford Jazz Junction podcast. Hear the whole Holidays Special podcast here: https://rss.com/podcasts/watfordjazzjunction/335358/ Happy Christmas! The reading of ‘Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas’ by Ralph Blane & Hugh Martin is licensed from Sony Music Publishing (UK) Ltd, 12 December 2021-12 January 2022. 'Jingle Bells Jazz Christmas' music licensed through AudioJungle ..read more

In our penultimate episode of 2021 we chat with Barney Stevenson, who's the artistic director of the Marsden Jazz Festival based in Yorkshire, England. Soon to celebrate 30 years, we chat about how the festival survived lock-down and invented some new online offerings, how their audience has developed over the years, and how they've supported new musicians and promoted new music. Barney's album recommendations include: New Bottle Old Wine by Gil Evans (1958) released on World Pacific Belonging by Keith Jarrett (1974) released on ECM Notes with Attachments by Blake Mills & Pino Palladino (2 ..read more

A festive podcast journey aboard our star-packed Polar Jazz Express as we travel through the snow-capped highlands of Watford to a little place called ‘Jazzmas’. We’re joined by jazzman & sax player to the stars Ben Castle, Tomorrow’s Warrior & all-round sparkling jazz legend Camilla George, super classy classical soprano Lotti Newstead, & shimmering YouTube prog rocker Jim Newstead. We programme the Cab Cabaret Fantasy Stage as presented by the fabulous Ray Gelato, deliver much punning & cunning in choosing the world’s greatest festive jazz candy, generously share live perform ..read more