Author Archives: Paul Brad

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About Paul Brad

Freelance journalist / Publisher / Editor - Straight No Chaser magazine / Editor - L FM : Broadcasting In A Pandemic - Gilles Peterson (Worldwide FM) / Publisher: From Jazz Funk & Fusion to Acid Jazz: A History Of The UK Jazz Dance Scene by Mark 'Snowboy' Cotgrove / Music Fan: Interplanetary Sounds: Ancient to Future / Cultural Event Consultant & Activist / Nei Jia practitioner

KUJENGA: THE GOLDEN WAKE

Posted on November 22, 2024 by Paul Brad

ON THE 30TH ANNIVERSARY OF THE FALL OF APARTHEID SOUTH AFRICA CHILA NATHI AND TRC HOST THE FIRST INTERNATIONAL PERFORMANCE OF CAPE TOWN BASED ENSEMBLE, KUJENGA. It’s a wintery night with a bright half moon and I am greeted at the … Continue reading →

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LITTLE MISS STAR

Posted on March 22, 2024 by Paul Brad

DJ Paulette’s Welcome To The Club is an enlightening journey through the highs and lows of a life in electronic dance music that spans three decades. Written from a Black woman’s perspective it provides a rallying call for future generations. … Continue reading →

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Jon Akomfrah’s Mimesis: African Soldier in Bristol

Posted on December 8, 2022 by Paul Brad

First screened in 2019 at the Imperial war Museum as part of the First World War centenary, John Akomfah’s Mimesis: African Soldier is currently showing at the Bristol Museum and uncovers the largely ignored story of the Commonwealth soldiers who … Continue reading →

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NCO meets Joni & Mingus @ The Dome

Posted on November 29, 2022 by Paul Brad

Led by Peter Edwards, the New Civilisation Orchestra took on the music from Joni Mitchell’s classic ‘Hejira’ LP and the singer-songwriter’s collaboration with master bassist and composer Charles Mingus. Jihad Imroel-Quays Darwish & ESKA It was hard to say whether … Continue reading →

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A World Without Worldwide FM

Posted on November 15, 2022 by Paul Brad

On Sunday October 30 the WWFM crew gathered at the Brownswood studio to celebrate the last six years before signing off at midnight leaving the station on hiatus until a new era beckons. It took a few days to gather … Continue reading →

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THE VOICE OF NEW AFRICA

Posted on November 5, 2022 by Paul Brad

Senegal’s Youssou N’Dour set the Barbican alight with pure positivity and a tight, compelling set of modern Mbalax One of the most exciting and explosive live sets I experienced in the mid-eighties was Youssou N’Dour and the Super Etoile De … Continue reading →

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THE GREAT JAMAICAN SONGBOOK…

Posted on August 3, 2022 by Paul Brad

Jazz Warrior, Junglist, Educator, Innovator… Hackney born ‘n’ bred… Cleveland Watkiss returns to his roots and the music that shaped his youth… It has to said that whenever I hear that a friend, or anyone else for that matter, is … Continue reading →

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What are you reading? Myself? Crime… Thrillers… From the deep South …. Virginia to Lagos and Accra and…. “

Posted on July 21, 2022 by Paul Brad

Here’s some summer reading if you fancy dropping into the genre of the crime thriller… but crime thrillers with a twist… there’s always a twist! Basically, thrillers keep me reading. It feels good to keep the pages turning. To say … Continue reading →

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The Duke & The Queen! The Suite… live!

Posted on June 6, 2022 by Paul Brad

As part of the Queen’s Platinum Jubilee celebrations the Nu Civilisation Orchestra led by pianist /composer Peter Edwards took to the stage at the QEH to deliver Duke Ellington’s legendary ‘The Queen’s Suite’ alongside a suite of brand new compositions … Continue reading →

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Great Day In London…. Warriors come out to play-yay….

Posted on December 8, 2021 by Paul Brad

Braving an icy wind on a December Saturday morning… a new generation of jazz-orientated musicians defied that late sleeping, nighthawk stereotype and gathered on the Southbank to add to the lexicon of photos inspired by Art Kane’s legendary Great Day … Continue reading →

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