All that jazz | 8 October 2011

The human voice has always been celebrated as one of the most direct forms of musical and personal expression. This is especially true in jazz, where improvisation is such a key element. We so often listen to singers ‘baring their soul’, revealing something ‘deep within’.

The human voice has always been celebrated as one of the most direct forms of musical and personal expression. This is especially true in jazz, where improvisation is such a key element. We so often listen to singers ‘baring their soul’, revealing something ‘deep within’.

And Georgia Mancio (above), jazz singer and curator of the ReVoice! Festival (Pizza Express Jazz Club, 10 Dean Street, Soho, 6 to 14 October), underlines this freedom of spirit with her ability to sing in English, Italian, Spanish and Brazilian Portuguese and to work in a variety of genres (from samba to blues to Chilean folk): an intriguing blend of vocal and musical eclecticism.

Billed as a celebration of international jazz voices, the festival is a reflection of the sort of multicultural influences that come to bear on artists such as the Anglo–Latino Mancio and many of the festival’s other performers. The event is truly varied in its cultural scope, illustrated by the 37 artists — including Norma Winstone, Sachal Vasandani, Barbara Raimondi, Kenny Wheeler and Diederik Wissels — who are due to appear.  

The first half of every evening is dedicated to guest performers, while the second half is taken over by Mancio herself, who, in collaboration with leading UK-based musicians, will aim to create a different musical sound-world each night. Something for everyone, no doubt, and certainly not to be missed.