Folk-jazz Legends Pentangle return to Royal Festival Hall

Just over a week from now on Monday 1 August, Royal Festival Hall will once again play host to one of folk music’s most influential bands – Pentangle. 43 years ago, the band recorded the live disc of their seminal album Sweet Child here, so the venue has a warm place in the hearts of Bert Jansch, John Renbourn, Jacqui McShee, Danny Thompson and Terry Cox, the original line-up who are back together for this special show.

Pentnagle recently performed at Glastonbury for the very first time in a career spanning longer than the history of the festival itself! They dropped in to speak to Lauren Laverne on her BBC 6Music show. Upon mentioning the Royal Festival Hall show, Lauren couldn’t hide her excitement!

Watch the interview in full below:

Tickets for the show are available here

GET TO KNOW… TIM WHITEHEAD

In 2 week’s time on Monday 25 July, we welcome Tim Whitehead and his Colour Beginnings Suite to Purcell Room. Tim is a very well-known jazz saxophonist, and has performed on the greatest stages in the Jazz world.

The original music written especially for this new show is inspired by the great British watercolour painter JMW Turner, and his Colour Beginnings collection. Tim spent almost 2 years researching the vaults of the Tate, and his favourite paintings will be projected during the performance.

World renowned trumpeter, Kenny Wheeler joins Tim and the Personal Standards Quartet for this special show.

What do you fear the most and why?

Another three years of the ConDems.They appear to have no mandate, no integrity, and no humanity but plenty of desperation and self interest

Which mobile number do you call the most?

Linda, my wife’s

What – or where – is perfection?

In the sky most days, especially after rain.

Who is your favourite hero from fiction (book/comic/film/opera) – and why?

John Steinbeck’s Doc in Cannery Row. He’s intelligent, wise, naive, loving, compassionate, humorous and he likes beer.

What’s your favourite ritual?

Pulling my boat by bike down to the Thames and sliding it into the water off the launching trolley.

Which living person do you most admire (and why)?

The disability rights activist Micheline Mason. She is an inspirational human. The social model of disability is a light on the world.

What other talent or skill would you like to possess?

Either to be a very skilled watercolourist or dinghy sailor. I’m working on both (but not enough)

Tell us about a special memory you have of Southbank Centre?

Years ago being thrown out. A Stanley Jordan fan called my daughter a brat (for eating crisps) and my wife squirted her  juice in his face.

If you could programme your ideal Southbank Centre show, which artists (living or dead) would you bring together?

Fritz Kreisler with the Moscow State Symphony Orchestra, Keith Jarrett with John Coltrane, Word Of Mouth with Jaco Pastorius ,Shorter and co.

What’s your favourite website?

The one under the shed roof in the back garden.

What is the most important lesson life has taught you?

This could be the day you’ve been waiting for.

What is the most played piece of music on your MP3 player or in your CD collection?

Allegria by Wayne Shorter.”She Moves Through The Fair”,a beautiful statement of English folk by an American (who loves science fiction!)

Carlos Moore comes to Purcell Room, Friday 8 July

Carlos Moore is playing Purcell Room tomorrow night and is well worth a look! His story is absolutely incredible, and this show promises anecdotes and truly amazing stories from throughout his life.

“Carlos Moore is joined by John Akomfrah, from Smoking Dog Films, and Margaret Busby, founder of Allison and Busby publishers, for a night of readings and recollections about his amazing life. Banished from his native Cuba for his opposition to Castro’s racial policies, Carlos Moore has since lived in many lands during his 34-year exile. A distinguished academic, journalist and writer, he met Fela Kuti in Nigeria and wrote a biography of the late great African musician, This Bitch of a Life, in 1982. His most recent book is Pichon – Race and Revolution in Castro’s Cuba.”

Tickets are £10 and available from here