London Is Having a Jazz Moment: Jazz Voice at the Royal Festival Hall — Review

Elena Leo is the Culture & Lifestyle Editor of Ikon London Magazine.

London is having something of a jazz moment. With the arrival of the legendary Blue Note jazz club and the EFG London Jazz Festival bringing ten days of music to venues across the capital, jazz is enjoying the spotlight.

And what a treat to see it celebrated on a stage as grand as the Royal Festival Hall. Friday night’s opening gala, Jazz Voice, brought together old-school crooners, soulful voices and contemporary London artists, with songs by Prince and David Bowie adding to the mix.

Under the baton of Guy Barker, the EFG London Jazz Festival Orchestra moved from classic jazz standards to soul, gospel and pop with impressive ease. Jazz may have its natural home in the intimate, seductive atmosphere of a club, but there was something rather special about hearing a full orchestra fill the Royal Festival Hall.

Guiding us through the evening was broadcaster Jumoké Fashola, resplendent in her towering, turban-style headwraps and gorgeously colourful gowns. Those listening to the live BBC Radio 3 broadcast could appreciate her beautifully modulated voice, but we in the hall had the added pleasure of seeing her.

And what a line-up it was!

If red velvet cake had a voice, it would sound like Marvin Muoneké — deep, rich and almost indecently indulgent. His rendition of Blame It on My Youth was a particular delight, delivered with the unhurried assurance of a singer from another era. Listening to him was rather like stepping into a time machine.

Emma Smith might have stepped out of the same machine, although she’d clearly travelled first class. With her dark hair, glamorous gown and gloves, she looked like Ava Gardner reincarnated as a jazz diva. The face of a Hollywood pin-up, and a voice made for the glamorous ballrooms and big-band stages of another era, as her performances of Great Day and The Curtain Falls made abundantly clear.

Lizz Wright’s rendition of Hallelujah revealed a voice of extraordinary depth and richness, with the grandeur of Jessye Norman and the soulful intensity of Nina Simone. She knew exactly when to hold back and when to let a phrase expand. I suspect I wasn’t the only one fighting back tears.

For The Nearness of You, she was joined by pianist Kenny Banks Sr., and the chemistry between them was a joy to watch. When Banks took off on a playful improvisation, Wright simply let him have his moment. For a little while, the Royal Festival Hall felt like a cosy jazz club somewhere in Louisiana.

Laura Mvula gave David Bowie’s Let’s Dance a slower, more romantic interpretation. There was old-school soul, too, courtesy of James Emmanuel, whose nickname, “Marvin Gaelic”, suddenly made perfect sense. That influence oozed from his performance of Ain’t No Love, while Living and Winning brought a more upbeat, danceable groove. And Prince was never far away. Liv Warfield, a former member of his New Power Generation, brought plenty of attitude to Saviour.

Tilda Maplestone, the 21-year-old South London singer-songwriter, was all bounce, shimmer and talent in her silver dress. Her original songs, Faded Love and Oh Mr, revealed a husky, Amy Winehouse-like voice, though she occasionally overplayed its croaks and breaks.

Rita Wilson brought a touch of Americana, blending country, pop and gospel in Sound of a Woman and Diamonds, warmly accompanied by the London Community Gospel Choir.

All the performers gathered on stage for a spectacular Prince finale, a medley culminating in Purple Rain — the greatest song of all time, in my personal book. It brought the audience to its feet, dancing with hands in the air, while even the sound engineers behind their mixing desks were marking the beat.

Jazz can swing, seduce, stir the soul or get you dancing in the aisles. It can take you back decades or sound entirely of the moment. And there’s plenty more to discover before the EFG London Jazz Festival ends on 22 November. My personal picks? Robert Glasper at the newly arrived Blue Note London, Melody Gardot at the Royal Albert Hall and the wonderful Samara Joy, who closes the festival at the Royal Festival Hall. Whatever your taste, there’s still time to get booking!

Explore the programme and book tickets at https://efglondonjazzfestival.org.uk/whats-on