"An arresting reminder of Joseph's powers and deep awareness of the jazz tradition." John Fordham, The Guardian.

Julian's solo set at the British Piano Festival, recorded live at The Vortex, London in September 2008 is being released by ASC Records on 1 February 2012.

This unique solo recording captures the essence of Julian Joseph's pianistic talent; the percussive intricacy and tender harmony embellished with a fearsome improvisatory technique. Recorded live at the Vortex Jazz Club, in London, this is an intimate portrait of one of the finest pianists of his generation.

For more info, click here. Available from HMV, Propermusic and Amazon, or download here.

JAZZ UK FEATURE

"Jazz musicians are easy to take for granted. You can call us yesterday, and we'll still do it. It isn't like that for classical music or rock. So maybe we need to take ourselves more seriously, and keep pressing for the people in charge to recognise how amazing this music is."

Julian is interviewed by jazz critic John Fordham in the December 2011-January 2012 issue of Jazz UK, following the 3 sell-out nights at Ronnie Scott's with his All Star Big Band. Julian talks about current projects, working with musicians from Peter King to Steve Williamson, and reveals his latest plans for the future.

Click here to read Julian's interview or download the whole issue from the Jazz UK page.

'THE BROWN BOMBER' PREMIERE

Julian's commission for the 2012 Cultural Olympiad will be performed at the Lilian Baylis Studio, Sadler's Wells Theatre, London, on 20 & 21 June, at Bethnal Green's York Hall on 22 & 23 June and the QEH on 14 & 15 July 2012.

'The Brown Bomber' is a dance suite, telling the story of the historic battle between US heavyweight boxer Joe Louis ('The Brown Bomber') and the German champion Max Schmeling which took place in New York City in 1938 following Louis's defeat at the 1936 Olympic Games.

Choreography by Sheron Wray. In association with the Hackney Music Development Trust.

‘Shadowball’, commissioned by the Hackney Music Development Trust, was premiered in 2010. Julian’s swinging score, inspired by the era of Ellington and Armstrong, tells the fast-paced story of the American Negro Baseball Leagues and the players whose talents went unacknowledged whilst their jazz compatriots reached heights of stardom by defining a new art form. Together, these larger-than-life personalities helped to change America forever. A ground-breaking project, ‘Shadowball’ motivates young people to play baseball, achieve their dreams and create a lasting legacy for our time.

Winners will be announced at Stationers’ Hall, London on Wednesday 30 November, and a special programme devoted to the awards will be broadcast on BBC Radio 3 on Sunday December 4.

Click here for more details.

The Peasant Girl, the new double-cd featuring Viktoria Mullova and the Matthew Barley Ensemble (Julian Joseph, Paul Clarvis and Sam Walton) is available now from ONYX CLASSICS.

Viktoria Mullova’s rural origins in Ukraine are reflected in this eclectic album, which combines elements of classical music and jazz and reflects the phenomenal influence that the gypsies have had on swathes of music in the 20th century. This is music that is blissfully free from the misleading shackles of genre.

ALL ABOUT JAZZ INTERVIEW

Julian talks to Bruce Lindsay about baseball, opera and being a jazz musician. Click here to read.

SHADOWBALL

Julian and Paul Pacifico announced the launch of a new UK jazz initiative, the NeverEndingSong, on BBC Radio 4's Today programme. The project plans to play a continuous jam on a blues in G for 7 days in 7 towns across the UK - London, Brighton, Cardiff, Birmingham, Manchester, Leeds and Edinburgh - starting on Monday 7 September.

JULIAN JOSEPH & MATTHEW BARLEY - NEW CD RELEASE

Dance of the Three Legged Elephants, Julian's new duet album with cellist Matthew Barley, features originals and arrangements of jazz and classical numbers, from Bach to Chick Corea, Ravel to Jaco Pastorius.

Dazzling yet intimate, this set of 10 tracks is the work of two brilliant and internationally renowned musicians who are also close friends, and their friendship pours from the music with passion, intensity, humour and inspiring energy.

Click here to buy direct from Signum Classics.

Watch the live stream of Matthew and Julian performing at King's Place, London, on 23 and 26 September.

Yamaha have launched a wide-ranging new jazz education initiative, The Jazz Experience, involving teacher-training, school activities and live events with major input from Julian Joseph, Gwilym Simcock, Tim Garland and jazz educator Richard Michael.

A series of regional one day improvisation work shops will be led by Joseph, Simcock, Garland and Michael with contributions form Peter Ind while additional name players will be announced for subsequent training and master classes.

The scheme is aimed at secondary school classroom and instrumental teachers and is designed to give them the skills to encourage and teach pupils to learn improvisation and help showcase the best of this emerging talent at festivals and venues including the Cheltenham Jazz Festival, Ronnie Scott’s and the 606 club.

For more info and application forms, click here.