A couple from Norway (Espen Berg Trio + Mariam Wallentin) bigging up the group of Norwegians we met at kardamilijazzfestival.com and bumped into at most of the gigs we caught throughout the week. The title track from A Timeless Place features a beautiful vocal from Norma Winstone originally recorded in 1990 and finally getting a well-deserved release on Mike Gavin’s Cadillac (NB Mike’s Jazz Progression shows on One Jazz). There is always a good reason to play Joni Mitchell. In this case the Norma Winstone brought Furry Sings The Blues to mind but also we heard a lot of Joni gems at the festival courtesy of the excellent Elisabeth Nygård-Pearson.

Before setting off to Greece we caught Avishai Cohen at Ronnie’s which was a treat and i played My Brues from the new album, Eternal Child. The Mantecas who could be described as a London-based supergroup also have a new release featuring Latin Jazz versions of jazz classics as well as originals. And as originals go it’s difficult to top the great Rubén Blades who plays his final London show on July 8th at The Roundhouse. With a back catalogue full of serious anthems; collaborations with – most notably – Willie Colón, Calle 13, Cheo Feliciano, Spanish Harlem Orchestra, Fania All Stars etc. as well as a CV taking in careers in acting, mainstream politics and activism. July 8th promises to be a very special night (NB https://www.roundhouse.org.uk/whats-on/ruben-blades/ for more info).

More new music from guitarist Jeff Parker with ETA IVtet (with Anna Butterss on bass) and Warren Wolf with his vibes alive take on a Ramsey Lewis classic.