With a community of fans spanning the globe many of whom can't make it down to Portobello Road, OffTheMeters takes a look behind happenings at renown and long-running West London live jazz institution Jazz Refreshed and points the lens deep into the night's unequivocal vibe.
A night that is 'first and foremost about the music' as asserted by founders Adam Moses and Justin Mckenzie where musicians, DJ's and punters alike gather in the intimate setting of Mau Mau to partake in a weekly session of deep jazz centric sounds in an atmosphere that oscillates between live venue and the club.
The music goes well beyond the tried and tested contents of the DJ's party bag and among the big names, unknowns and emerging artists that have graced the jazz refreshed stage. The intimacy and the interactive feedback loop between audience and performer make jazz refreshed one of the most important jazz nights on the planet.
Be sure to check out the Jazz Refreshed compilation CD with volume 2 set for release shortly and keep an eye on the Uprock crew as they push the night's remit further and further.
"When you give the band some love you get it back". Give it up for Jazz Refreshed.
About Jazz Re:Freshed
The Jazz Re:Freshed movement is fronted by a weekly night of jazz covering the whole spectrum of live jazz music. All aspects of jazz are covered - jazz fusion, future jazz, be bop, hip hop jazz, avante garde, latin jazz, jazz rock, afro jazz, acid jazz, soul jazz & jazz funk. This night intends to bring weekly live virtuoso performances from the best established jazz artists to the hottest up and coming jazz musicians in the UK, add to that, impressive visuals and original artwork created and inspired by jazz music. To keep things fresh, Jazz Re:Freshed resident deejays and guests spin from the roots to the cutting edge.
Borne out of oppression, revolution and a need to express the black experience, Jazz has always been the most progressive boundary pushing and relevant black music artform, cutting paths for all popular black music forms. Jazz Re:freshed as a black music movement, intends to challenge the elitism and prejudice within the jazz community which has kept jazz on the sidelines, and bring the incredibly diverse creative world that is jazz, to the people.
From dance oriented to jazz to various cultural interpretations eg. Latin jazz, Japanese jazz, Afro jazz, Hip hop Jazz etc. - all expressions of jazz music are represented. Presently, the Jazz Re:freshed weekly live sessions are charged at the lowest rate possible (with all money made on the door going to the the artist(s)), even though the calibre of performers would justifiably demand a premium door tax when playing the like's of Barbican or Jazz Cafe.
It is important to have a mix of well established musicians and up and coming talent, with the only criteria being the quality they bring to the night. The strength of Jazz Re:freshed is in the support and the enthusiasm of the musicians and performers. The audience get an opportunity to be up close and personal with the performers, conversing and mingling with them after the show - no green room, no hiding away. Musicians enjoy playing Jazz Re:freshed because of the intimacy of the venue and the appreciation and passionate support of the audience - music is centre stage, no pretensions, no illusions.
When all is said and done, Jazz Refreshed exists simply and wholly for the music...and isn't that what really counts.
