Although this year's London Jazz Festival doesn't take in any News Shopper venues as it has in the past, at least Dartford's Mick Jagger Centre has managed to book one of the acts for a post-festival date on November 21 (box office 01322 291100).

British saxophonist Martin Speake is no exception to the modern trend for international bands, reflecting the fully-articulated global language of jazz, communicating with more instant joy than Esperanto seems to have managed.

Speake is currently touring with his established quartet which reaches well across cultural boundaries.

Along with fine London bass player Mick Hutton, he teams up with the brilliantly-individual Swedish pianist Bobo Stenson and American percussionist of cult status Paul Motian.

With his shaven head, Motian is visually unrecognisable from his glory days of working with Bill Evans and Keith Jarrett, but the drumming magic is still there. Their music is very thoughtful, even cerebral at times, but is a wonder of individual expertise and musical conversation.

Riverfront Jazz co-ordinator Dave Silk is helping launch the new Thai restaurant, The Secret Garden, at Blackheath's Hamilton House Hotel this Friday with entertainment for diners from singer Sheena Davis and her band.

All of them are in their youthful prime and seem from the listings to be on permanent national tour. Her co-musicians are all top drawer Pete Cater on drums, Rob Rickenberg on bass and Tom Cawley on piano.

Sad death: It was a shock to hear of the tragic death at only 37 of well-loved local pianist and singer Steve Morgans last week following a stroke and brain haemorrhage. Always entertaining, always fun-loving, he will be remembered by many at the funeral today(Wednesday) at 3.30pm in Eltham Crematorium.

November 12, 2001 10:18