I started writing about music in 2015 after taking part in jazz journalism programme ‘The Write Stuff’, run by Jazzwise magazine and Serious Music. I often find the writing process quite tortuous but I always feel good looking back on a piece. Below are some of the publications I’ve written for with links to a selection of articles.
Vinyl Factory
I wrote two longer pieces for The Vinyl Factory. They commissioned me to write about 1970s British funk group Cymande, who had an after-life as one of the most sampled groups in the rise of hip-hop. Read about them here.
I also did a piece that provided a historical perspective on British Jazz, reflecting on how waves of immigration catalyzed its development. Read it here.
Songlines
I’ve been writing for Songlines for several years. I’ve had a review in almost every issue since April 2016, plus the odd feature and interview. You can read many of the reviews online here. But I certainly recommend subscribing to the magazine or picking up a physical copy in WH Smiths – it always offers a window onto something musically weird and wonderful.
You can read this “Essential 10” I wrote featuring some totemic tabla-fusion albums. My ears always prick up when I hear a tabla deployed outside of its classical context (which is quite a lot these days) so I was pleased to be asked to write this. It took awhile for the Spotify algorithm to recover from the research and stop recommending me tabla music though!
Londonist
I did a couple of pieces for the Londonist, including one of my only published pieces not about music (on podcasts, about which I’d like to write more).
I previewed the London podcast festival in 2016
…and previewed the London Jazz Festival 2016 (which has plenty of jazz accessible acts you could check out for a way into the genre)
The Prickle
The Prickle is an arts blog which highlights hip cultural happenings in London, NYC, and Hong Kong. I’ve written a few pieces for them including
A review of a Comet if Coming gig
An album review covering the record Atlas by Fat Suit (aka ‘The Scottish Snarky Puppy’)
A review of a Kenny Garrett gig
This piece for Zatu marks a foray outside music into board game reviews.
Check out my review of Burgle Bros – a cooperative board game about pulling off a heist.
I would like to more in boardgames as I think they offer a unique and underappreciated experience. They essentially combine all the cognitive benefits of problem solving and strategizing associated with video games, but they replace the screen stigma with face-to-face interaction with your friends to engage in collective storytelling.
Jazzwise
Jazzwise co-sponsored the journalism programme I took part in and I wrote a few pieces for them during that and subsequently.
This review of trumpeter Christian Scott’s gig (where I came across amazing flautist Elena Pinderhughes)
This review of UK saxophonist Josh Kemp (featuring some photos taken by my dad)
LondonJazzNews
A dedicated chap named Sebastian has been promoting the London jazz scene through LJN for many years. I wrote a fair few pieces for the site including…
A review of ‘the new Mozart’ Jacob Collier’s one man show.
A album review covering The Bad Plus’ release ‘It’s Hard’
A review of mysterious Swiss pianist Nik Bärtsch’s duo project
A review of Phronesis at the Pizza Express jazz club
World Music Central
I wrote two pieces for WMC to highlight the projects of two friends.
One piece was a review of concert celebrating tabla Maestro Pandit Sharda Sahai ji. Read it here.
The other was a review of a double-header. The Malian band Songhoy Blues and the screening of the film They Will Have To Kill Us First – about when music was banned by Islamists in Mali. Read it here.
TheJazzBreakfast
I logged just one piece for Peter Bacon’s learned jazz blog. It was a review of a cracking Marius Neset gig during the 2016 London Jazz Festival. Neset is a virtuoso tenor sax player with a predilection for techy grooves (one of my own weaknesses) and he was playing with the London Sinfonietta , who did some epic arrangements of his compositions. Some of the brilliance of the gig can be experienced on Neset’s album Snowmelt.
MusicGurus
I used to work at online music tutorial platform MusicGurus. Whilst there I wrote a few blogs designed to direct attention to our courses. The purpose of marketing seemed to invite a less formal style that incorporated gifs, memes, and emojis – which was fun! Check out…
A list of practice tips (that I think are pretty solid and wish I followed myself!)
A piece about the Hammond Organ and leaving space when you play
A creative archive 