Starting the weekend off with this 4CD box set of Polish film soundtracks....See you on Monday.

Cafe Gijon in Madrid, where Camilo José Cela used to hang out. Possibly the inspiration for his novel El Colmena (The Hive). It looks a bit too posh for that...maybe it was a lot different in the 1940s...or maybe he just had a brilliant imagination...

Listening to #EricBoeren Quartet. I've not come across him before but I've met all the others in this band on separate occasions, saxophonist Michael Moore, bass player Wilbert de Joode and drummer Paul Lovens. When de Joode shakes your hand you know it's been well shaken. #DutchPerformingArts

2/2 Saving Pol Gouasch to read in the bars of Tarragona and Camilo Jose Cela's the Hive for Madrid. not sure I have enough to read for this trip...

1/2 Preparing for a trip to Spain...Tarragona and Madrid....haven't immersed myself in Spanish literature as much as I would have liked....Disappointed That Fever and Spear was set in England and not Madrid....Salvador Espriu is totally new to me....Catalan....Ben Lerner to get a feel for the city.

Abdullah Ibrahim! www.youtube.com/watch?v=XopO...

Pleased to say I have another poem here (with photo by David Hynes).

📆 Tuesday 16th June 4:30-5:30pm on Zoom (online) 🔗 Book your free place: www.trybooking.com/uk/GGNJ Read more about the forum here: www.jazznorth.org/news/educato...

This FREE online session is led by Michael Wright, whose teaching focuses on practical music-making and improvisation within the classroom and music curriculum. Our forums are a safe space to reflect, share ideas and ask questions and we look forward to welcoming you!

📣 Do you work in music education or know someone who does? Our June Educators' Forum on the 16th June is a space to meet like-minded music professionals and explore the importance of improvisation in the classroom.

James Blood Ulmer (8 February 1940–3 June 2026) The US jazz, blues, rock and funk guitarist has died aged 86. As a tribute we have made Steve Holtje’s May 1998 interview and profile from The Wire 171 free to read in our online archive. www.thewire.co.uk/in-writing/t...

Wonderful exhibition of work by Maurice Cockrill at the #BridewelllStudios in Liverpool: www.artinliverpool.com/events/noctu... The gallery is actually Cockrill's original studio back in the 1970s

Recently reads.

Where do we start talking about Sonny Rollins? Let's just listen. RIP Sonny. www.youtube.com/watch?v=QFfE...

Charity shop bummer! Did a bit of sick in my mouth when I listened to this. Suddenly remembered why I stopped listening to Metheny thirty years ago. Is it bad form to ask a charity shop for your money back?

I've been waiting for this for a long time. Soon.

Managed to see a few bands at the Manchester Jazz Festival #MJF on my way back from Liverpool: Ankora www.ankoramusic.com Ellin Grace and Out Front outfront.band. Great to chat to Jason Yarde, @jakemcmurchie.bsky.social, Ben Powling, Ben Cottrell and have a distnat wave from @oliebrice.bsky.social

Rivkala is excited to take you down the rabbit hole of the crushed velvet cabaret bar at her Northern Line showcase performance at manchester jazz festival's opening weekender on Sun 17 May at First Street. It's free to attend & all are welcome! More info: manchesterjazz.com/events/rivkala

Recent reads. Love the Bainbridge cover of a man on a bike. The novel includes a man on a bike.

"The man looked like some repulsive comedian who might at any moment lift up his trouser legs and take out his kneecaps..."

The Manager at The Poacher was cashing up recently and found a coin with the image of the new Emperor of the West Pole. Finally made it. Up there with that Constantine.

Charity shop treasure. I was going to paste the inscription from 1936 with the owner's name but I'm not a grass!

Yes! International Jazz Day! Blow your mind or someone else's.

Haven't walked out of a gig for years (but when I thought about it I have loads of times). The Easy rollers weren't jazz, they were jazz pastiche...and they weren't just jazz pastiche...they were Ginsters pastiche! Good job I didn't have to pay to get in! But I still want my money back!

So, who goes to jail for such massive financial mismanagement?

Daily Tune #3016 - _"The Ends" by Let Spin discusmusic.bandcamp.com/track/the-ends Chris Williams - alto saxophone, baritone saxophone, flute Moss Freed - guitar, baritone guitar Ruth Goller - bass, voice Finlay Panter - drums Discus Music

A Newly Discovered Recording Lets You Hear Delta Blues Legend Robert Johnson in Stunning Clarity

This @recordstoreday.bsky.social I’m remembering THE GREATEST and much missed record shop of all (don’t @ me) SOUND IT OUT. Here’s a scene from the film I made there. Watch the full film here vimeo.com/ondemand/sou...

This one might be as spontaneous as they get. One of the older miniatures, it was recorded during one of those days (one of those weeks) when seemingly… Every. Little. Thing. was going to be difficult.

Excellent gig by #JasperHøiby tonight at #peggysskylight in #nottingham. The third instalment of his 3 Elements project. Tonight with #XaviTorres on piano and #NaímaAcuña on drums. Naíma was amazing...so much work but never intrusive...a rare listening drummer....Always great to hear Jasper...

Recent reads.

Something to kick start a Sunday. One of my top five favourite gigs last year.

Today's charity shop find. Lars Dietrich (alto) Samir Zarif (tenor) John Escreet (piano) Zack Lober (bass) Greg Ritchie (drums) Only heard of John Escreet before and that was enough to part with two quid.

A little light listening: Aki Takase - Auge. Aki Takase (piano) Christian Weber (bass) Michel Griener (drums) Intakt Records 2019 Saw her live in Leicester as part of Tony Levin's 70th birthday tour. Her ideas sometimes flew off the piano and continued in mid air.

Honoured to have this sequence of poems by Robert Sheppard dedicated to me. Thanks @robertsheppard.bsky.social

Been in my house for nearly a year now and I still haven't managed to kill my pear tree.

Ancient Infinity Orchestra emerged from the North of England as a joyous, communal force, rooted in collective music-making. Led by Leeds-based composer-double bassist Ozzy Moysey, the ensemble weaves melody, with expansive, uplifting improvisation, creating music that feels both intimate & cosmic.

And last but by no means least, we present our final Northern Line artist as part of this year's roster; Rivkala, who'll perform as part of a Northern Line Showcase at manchester jazz festival on Sunday 17 May.

I said stuff! Come see @atthewyldedge.com, vibes/marimba/electronics, Berlinde Deman, serpent/electronics, Elizabeth Nott, percussion, and myself for a very special one-off concert at the Cheltenham Jazz Festival! x

Today's charity shop treasure

Anyone read this? I keep looking at it in a charity shop. I might regret it when it's not there anymore but it looks to big to read on a bus. www.penguin.co.uk/books/411982...

@robertsheppard.bsky.social Sad news: www.dailycartoonist.com/index.php/20...

Best book I've read for a long time. Feel as though my year is beginning at last.

@davidbelbin.bsky.social Sorry, didn't realise that was you on the bus last night. Just had a tiring train journey...

Recent reads. One of these books was utter shit. Can you guess which one?

Random picture of cheese from a few years ago. (Wipes away tear with fist).

Going to check out the Wildflower Quintet tonight at Peggy's Skylight peggysskylight.co.uk/events/wild-... Not heard them before but no relation to Idris Rahman's Wildflower (trio).

Recent reads: