Michael Wollny and Emma Rawicz: Live at the Queen Elizabeth Hall

Mid-way through the EFG London Jazz Festival, ACT Music offered two of their finest ensembles on the Southbank: the innovative sounds of Emma Rawicz’s INKYRA, followed by The Michael Wollny Trio.

The fantastic saxophonist and composer Emma Rawicz has many creative outlets, and INKYRA is one of the most exciting, drawing on her vast array of musical influences. You can read my album review here.

INKYRA has some of the most in-demand musicians the UK modern jazz scene has to offer today, including Gareth Lockrane (flutes of all sizes), David Preston (guitar), Scottie Thompson (Rhodes and piano), Kevin Glasgow (bass) and Jamie Murray (drums). There is a comfortable yet innovative sense of this ensemble knowing exactly what they’;re doing, while occasionally throwing in glorious musical surprises.

Rawicz always engages with the audience and her delight to be appearing at such a  packed venue on the Southbank Centre was obvious in each interaction and she explained the journey to get here. INKYRA has been in existence for a number of years and the release of their debut album is a real delight for us all - ensemble and audience alike.

Following a brief interval and an introduction from the evening’s host, broadcaster Kevin LeGendre, pianist Michael Wollny took to the stage with his trio including Tim Lefebvre (bass) and Eric Schaefer (drums).

Also on  ACT is the trio’s newest album, Living Ghosts. Their performance was engaging and innovative, showing some of the outstanding playing we expect of them as individuals and an ensemble.

Once more, ACT Music provides brilliant contemporary music and it’s great to hear these artists live as well as recorded.