At 89, the pianist continues to keep tenderness at his fingertips. Photo by Fraser Collier
If you’re in the UK, you’re probably enjoying today. It’s the first day this year that truly marks the end of winter’s reign—a sunny and exceptionally warm Sunday across most of the country. While I suspect you’re not in the mood for lengthy reading, there's a 20-minute treat I believe you'll love!
I’m a huge fan of BBC Radio 3’s 'J to Z' jazz programme—it’s a source of constant inspiration, and I put it on when I need a change of pace. Today, I listened to a short episode featuring Abdullah Ibrahim, a South African pianist and composer, who walks through the musical influences that have shaped his five-decade career. From jazz listening parties in the townships to his mentor Duke Ellington, Ibrahim shares his philosophies on life and music (the idea of ‘timeless time’ is lovely). Among the words of wisdom, there’s a delightful moment that has him laughing so heartily—you’ll find yourself smiling along.
You can listen to it here, where he discusses four tracks that have inspired him and moved him, in his own words, ‘to strive for perfection that cannot be perfected’.
‘Blue Seven’ by Sonny Rollins holds deep significance, especially in South Africa; Ibrahim connects it to the tradition of gathering at someone's house every Sunday to listen to jazz together—a ritual that resonates across the whole country.
“This is the significance of the music. We don't discover jazz, we live it. It's part of our legacy. Jazz music, as Max Roach said, is the music of the 20th century, of this era. And because of its nature and the way that we approach it, it’s democratic. So, it resonates with our striving for justices in our communities and also reaching a wider audience worldwide. Because actually, it’s the resonance of humanity.”
Abdullah Ibrahim
His advice to musicians who ask how to write a song or a composition? “Write a love song! Deeply, inherently, what is it that you want to express? It’s love. A love song is the essence of your being.”
Inspired by today's warm weather and this ‘J to Z’ episode, I've curated a Spring Edit for you below. It's full of colour and a little bit of jazz to keep the positive energy radiating in your home at all times.
Enjoy the sunlight for a few more hours!
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Spring Edit
A showcase of Ronald Stennett Willson's modernist glass candlesticks for Kings Lynn, Wedgwood. This collection from the 1960s features Sheringham candlesticks in amethyst and amber, Brancaster sticks in green, and Sandringham pieces in blue, amber, and clear glass.
Seven stained glass windows from the 1930s, featuring tall double-sash designs with hinged fanlights. Each window showcases intricate leaded glass with geometric decorations set within original white lacquered softwood frames.
Collection of 20th century Scandinavian glassware by Riihimaen Lasi Oy, or in a similar style, featuring notable pieces such as the cherry red and green tall Piippu (chimney) vases by Aimo Okkolin, a blue 'hooped' vase and an amber 'Torpedo' vase by Tamara Aladin, alongside a large cased amber ovoid vase and a small amber vase.
A pair of mid-century 'Atomic' coat hooks, of black painted zigzag form with wooden ball hooks painted in primary colours.
A fragment of the inner kiswa (the cloth covering the Kaaba, the most sacred site in Islam located in Mecca) hanging panel, displaying cream inscriptions on light green silk, surrounded by a broad Thuluth script border and narrow bands with prayers.
A Chinese Longquan celadon conical bowl from the 19th-20th century or earlier, featuring widely flaring conical sides from a delicate foot, covered in a soft sea-green glaze that stops at the foot ring.
Table lamp from the 1950s, featuring a marble base and brass structure with dual shades in soft yellow and pastel green, produced by Stilnovo, Italy.
20th-century Iznik-style pottery tile featuring al-Masjid al-Haram with the Kaaba at the center, surrounded by Maqam Ibrahim and four Maqams (Al-Hanafi, Al-Maliki, Al-Shafi', Al-Hanbli). The design includes the outer walls with seven minarets and turquoise painted domes.
David Hockney's 1981 Pop Art lithograph poster 'Original Parade' for the Metropolitan Opera in New York. Displayed with an Art Poster Gallery, Zurich label on the reverse.
Danish influenced brass 1940s modernist Bauhaus influenced table lamp with braided hand grip, possibly by Helo Leuchten, Germany.
A green, orange and white Chobi Kilim rug with geometric design.
A pair of polished aluminium candlesticks designed by Mathew Hilton.
‘Composition' by Karl Peter Röhl, 1922. Ink and gouache on vellum. A pivotal figure at the Bauhaus in Dessau, Röhl's work embodies the Constructivist design principles that shaped the movement
Bauhaus nickel silver teapot, designed by Marianne Brandt in 1924. A semi-spherical vessel on a cross-shaped base with ebonised wood handle and finial. Known for its rarity, this teapot is a celebrated example of Brandt’s innovative approach, held in major collections worldwide.
Left: Chinese yellow-glazed incised vase, likely from the 20th century, featuring nine five-clawed dragons amid ruyi-shaped clouds, contesting a flaming pearl, with decorative bands of ruyi-heads and crashing waves. Right: Scandinavian Modernist glass decanter by Ernest Gordon for Afors, circa 1950s. Features a smokey green, shouldered and footed form with a teardrop stopper.
David Shrigley (British, born 1968) - 'When life gives you a lemon you must eat the lemon, all of it including the skin.' Colour poster published by Shrig Shop, Copenhagen, Denmark.
In the manner of Stilnovo, a set of five 1950s enamelled wall lights, including two gooseneck examples, possibly Italian.
You can all respond to this email from your inbox and share your thoughts. Your message will reach me directly. Do you know of any intimate jazz festivals similar to Cully Jazz in Switzerland? I would love your suggestions!
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