Conspiracy Soviet Jazz Festival

In 2023, I'm guessing at the age of 75, ageless icon Iggy Pop blazed across the Montreux Jazz Festival stage. And sure, if you're expecting him to deliver an intimate, jazzy set heavy on his more eclectic albums (Apres, Preliminaires, Avenue B), you're gonna leave with a headache and perhaps some bruises if you were close to the stage.

In 2023, I'm guessing at the age of 75, ageless icon Iggy Pop blazed across the Montreux Jazz Festival stage. And sure, if you're expecting him to deliver an intimate, jazzy set heavy on his more eclectic albums (Apres, Preliminaires, Avenue B), you're gonna leave with a headache and perhaps some bruises if you were close to the stage.

Started playing the double bass in 1974.

Though ever-busy as a live performer, Mose Allison rarely ventured into the recording studio during the late '70s and early '80s, making this fine concert set all the more valuable.

A chance to sit back and enjoy the “reunion era” Colosseum live on stage at the 2003 Viersen Jazz Festival performing tracks from then-new album Tomorrow’s Blues. Recorded during founder member Dick Heckstall-Smith’s  nal illness, world renowned saxophonist Barbara Thompson (Jubiaba, Paraphernalia) steps in. The result is a powerful performance from Barbara, Clem Clempson (guitar), Dave Greenslade (keyboards), Mark Clarke (bass), Chris Farlowe (vocals) and bandleader Jon Hiseman (drums). Alongside newer material including ‘I Could Tell You Tales’, the ensemble return to their Prog roots with a captivating rendition of ‘The Valentyne Suite’ and an epic ‘Lost Angeles’ (the latter  rst released on their 1970 album The Grass Is Greener). ‘In The Heat Of The Night’ gives full rein to Farlowe’s mastery of the blues as Colosseum reinterpret Ray Charles’ original with some note-bending licks from Clem and Barbara’s sultry sax underpinning the closing number. Interspersed with interview footage with Jon Hiseman in which he explores the band’s musical complexity and continuing popularity in light of their decision to reform in 1994, this beautifully packaged CD/DVD presentation is a must for all Colosseum fans. As Hiseman explains: “You have to feed this creature. If you don’t feed it, it dies. Also, you can’t make it do, what it doesn’t want to do.”

Another day another concert! Still excited that I got to see Raye at the Montreux Jazz Festival this past week. Being back in Montreux was great especially since the weather was an absolute dream!
Playing at the Montreux Jazz Festival is a big deal for any artist. But headlining one of the nights is even bigger. This opportunity must have been even more significant for Raye, an internationally acclaimed artist with Swiss roots. Performing on the new Lake Stage and co-headlining with Janelle Monae, Raye delivered a magical show. Having seen Raye perform before, first as a support act for Khalid and later for SZA, it’s clear that she just gets better and better with each performance.