Continuing the countdown to JAZZ RE:FEST this coming Bank Holiday Weekend, here is the first of our A to Z guide to JAZZ RE:FEST (kind of).
First up. A is for…
ABDUL, KAIDI & VANESSA. Three serious artists who will be demonstrating the beauty of their talents at JAZZ RE:FEST.
ABDUL SHYLLON
Many of you may have been introduced to Abdul’s talent through his recorded collaborations and live performances with the likes of Mark de Clive Lowe, Omar, DJ Spinna, etc. Alternatively, you may have heard his unique soulful vocal on seminal Broken Beat and Nu Soul tracks like Relax Unwind, 4YV or Love is Sold and not known who the man behind the voice was. Some of you may even have first come across this talented singer songwriter through one of his beautiful performances on the jazz re:freshed stage.
[youtube=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=P0-PBRRlJrg]
Self-taught musician Abdul Shyllon, brings an eclectic, unique approach to his work. Weaving soul, folk, jazz and alternative elements into his song writing, which makes it distinctive yet comforting; like old trusty familiar friend. His work has evolved from the earlier workings on the underground scenes into a natural self assured stance that allows him to speak about his experience through his writing and organic approach to music.
KAIDI TATHAM
Kaidi Tatham is a name that needs no introduction to the Jazz re:freshed faithful. He is the physical manifestation of the spirit of Jazz re:freshed. His musicality, freshness, virtuosity, fusing of genres and forward thinking, have amassed a global army of fans across genres.
[youtube=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wtTP4bxu8h0]
Kaidi Tatham (also known as Agent K) was a member of the Bugz in the Attic collective, keys player for The Herbaliser Band on stage and involved in many projects, most notably his collaborations with 4hero’s Dego: 2000Black, DKD (with Daz-I-Kue), Silhouette Brown and Da One Away (with Ian Grant aka IG Culture).
Kaidi also worked with his Bitasweet label-mates on various projects, including Neon Phusion (with Alex Phountzi and Afronaught), blakai (with Mark Force), Misa Negra (with Daz-I-Kue), afro force (with Afronaught and Mark Force), but also with broken beat innovator IG Culture as Likwid Biskit. Gilles Peterson called him the UK’s most gifted contemporary keys player, which he proves constantly in live-performances.
[youtube=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fAdxJPTiCY0]
In more recent times, Kaidi continues to perform live and has put out several recordings, including his album on Japanese label Freedom School – In Search of Hope, Kaidi’s 5ive on the Jazz re:freshed label, Tatham, Mensah, Lord & Ranks on 2000Black and his most recent recording project Shokazulu.
[youtube=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lm_WqQFIufY]
This Summer, Kaidi has been touring with Chris ‘Daddy’ Dave’s highly acclaimed outfit Drumheadz.
VANESSA FREEMAN
We are privileged to call such a prodigious talent as Vanessa Freeman a friend of the Jazz re:freshed crew. She is another individual of unquestionable soulfulness, skill and vocal dexterity, that should be a household name.
[youtube=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5NoryNan3CE]
A vocal cornerstone of the UK Future Soul and Broken Beat scenes, in addition to her own material, Vanessa has collaborated, recorded with, written for and sung with the likes of Brazilian jazz funk legends Azymuth, Bugz In The Attic, 4Hero, Kaidi Tathum, Kyoto Jazz Massive, Alex Attias, Nathan Haines, Phil Asher, Reel People and the list goes on…
[youtube=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xGZbQI1UnQM]
GET YOUR TICKETS FOR JAZZ RE:FEST HERE
