Jazz Voice: Live at the Royal Festival Hall

As is the case in other festivals, it’s impossible to see more than a sample of the talented and creative performers offered by the EFG London Jazz Festival. This year, I cheated by catching ten singers and nearly 50 of the UK’s finest instrumentalists in an orchestra led and conducted by Guy Barker at the Royal Festival Hall.

Jazz Voice (c) Emile Holba

The opening gala night - Jazz Voice - was part of the EFG Elements Series, where each year the Festival organisers collaborate closely with title sponsors EFG to select four shows showing the richness and diversity of the programme. What was particularly remarkable was the number of school and family groups in the audience, with notable diversity among them.

Each singer appeared as a soloist in front of the impressive London Jazz Festival Orchestra and Guy Barker in the first half, before then either performing again alone or with others in the second half before a Stevie Wonder medley took them all around the repertoire of one of our finest living musicians and song writers in jazz today.

Dee Dee Bridgewater (c) Emile Holba

One of the highlights was Dee Dee Bridgewater, singing James Moody’s Flying Saucer in the first half and a Roy Ayers medley in the second. Similarly, Tanita Tikaram performed her own songs Glass Love Train and Twist in My Sobriety, while Stella Cole had selected ‘Til There Was You and It’s Magic. Natalie Williams owned Dancing to the Rhythm and Vula Malinga took on What’s Going On before they both slayed I’m Every Woman.

It wasn’t just the women who entertained the packed audience in the Royal Festival Hall: Tyreek McDole sang Open Up Your Senses and The Sun Song, while Caleb Kunle performed It’s a Man’s World, I Feel Good and Gimme Dat with guest conductor Jack Murray.

The second half began with a chance for the orchestra to show what they’re made of, with arrangements by Guy of a selection of tunes by the greats of UK jazz. There were some familiar faces in the orchestra, with big names in their own right as jazz performers in the UK and around the world. This really was the night to catch some great jazz apart from the vocals, with improvised solos from the established faces to the youngest - Klara Devlin, a finalist in the 2024 BBC Young Jazz Musician competition.

Jacqui Dankworth (c) Emile Holba

A particularly touching moment came when Jacqui Dankworth performed a medley of songs made famous by her mother, Cleo Laine, who died in July.

The evening ended with a medley of Stevie Wonder, with contributions from the soloists, all arranged by the indefatigable Guy. Hosted by broadcaster, journalist and vocalist Jumoké Fashola, the show was broadcast live on BBC Radio 3 and is available to listen again on BBC Sounds.