Triggering the new season at Turner Sims in Southampton will be guitarist Vieux Farka Touré, son of the late, great Malian guitarist Ali Farka Touré. Vieux’s own compound of western and African pop music, distinct from his father’s innovations, was unveiled last year with the release of his latest album The Secret that featured guest appearances by jazz guitarist John Scofield and rock singer/guitarist Dave Matthews. Farka Touré’s trio will be playing in Southampton on Thursday 16 February.

Young Norwegian saxophonist Marius Neset follows next day on Friday 17 February. His album Golden Xplosion, featuring British keyboardist/composer Django Bates, garnered a string of five stars reviews following its release last April. Neset will be joined on stage by all three members of Phronesis: bassist Jasper Høiby, drummer Anton Eger, and pianist Ivo Neame.

Julian Joseph is also heading south, and will be playing at Turner Sims with his regular trio of bassist Mark Hodgson and drummer Mark Mondesir on Saturday 3 March. This appearance comes on the back of the release of the leading pianist’s solo album Live at the Vortex in London, which comes out two days before on 1 March. Other dates later in March include Equivox Trio on Sunday 4 March and the Tord Gustavsen Ensemble on Friday 16 March.

– Chris Hyde-Harrison

Vieux Farka Touré (above left) and Marius Neset. For tickets go to www.turnersims.co.uk

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