Rotterdam bound: McCoy Tyner
One of the biggest European jazz festivals, Rotterdam’s North Sea Jazz Festival also gets underway today. Today's highlights include Santana, Diana Krall, Medeski, Martin & Wood, Roy Hargrove Quintet, retro diva Caro Emerald, the Monty Alexander Trio, soul singer James Hunter, Mala in Cuba, and Lianne La Havas. Tomorrow features John Legend, Kenny Barron and his trio, Chick Corea’s new band the Vigil, quartertone trumpeter Ibrahim Maalouf, the great jazz singer Dee Dee Bridgewater and 'In Crowd' pianist Ramsey Lewis.
The Vigil
The middle day of the festival also sees Dutch favourites New Cool Collective, John Zorn at 60 Marathon, an on-form Michel Camilo, and flamenco star Tomatito.
While there are no significant surprises, the festival this year has picked up on a high profile mix of legends and newer names in remarkable quantity as ever. It’s possible to survey great swathes of the global jazz scene over just three days spent in Rotterdam checking out the gigs held inside the massive Ahoy venue.
Also for the Saturday shows are Gary Clark Jr, Sangam featuring Charles Lloyd, the great McCoy Tyner and his Latin Jazz All Stars, Laura Mvula, Shuggie Otis, Cody ChesnuTT, Re:Freshed Orchestra, and Bassekou Kouyate/Ngoni ba.
Dionne Warwick
The final day at North Sea this year features Sting, Kendrick Lamar, Marcus Miller, Joe Jackson and the Bigger Band featuring Regina Carter, Dionne Warwick, Charles Bradley, Bettye LaVette, Branford Marsalis Quartet, Avishai Cohen Quartet, José James, Ebo Taylor, Mud Morganfield, and Calexico.