Saxophonist Scot joins the Label party

Saxophonist Scot joins the Label party

Scottish saxophonist Raymond MacDonald is among the musicians whose new releases are celebrating the 20th anniversary of The Babel Label, one of the record companies at the forefront of documenting the progressive British jazz scene in recent years.

MacDonald's duet set with Woodstock-based pianist Marilyn Crispell, Parallel Moments, joins new albums by pianist Alexander Hawkins and trumpeter Nick Smart in Babel founder Oliver Weindling's extensive catalogue alongside landmark recordings by Julian Arguelles, Christine Tobin, Acoustic Ladyland, trioVD, Led Bib, Polar Bear and arch anarchist Billy Jenkins that have maintained Babel's reputation for having its finger on the UK's jazz pulse.

l babellabel.co.uk

Folk band mark debut launch

FOLK band CherryGrove have announced details of a tour to mark the launch of their debut album, No Time Like Now, which is released on March 21.

The quintet, who have made successful appearances at London 2012 Olympics and at Europe's largest Celtic music festival, Festival Interceltique in Lorient, France, as well as venues closer to home, play Stereo, Glasgow on March 20; Golspie Inn, Golspie on March 21; Spean Bridge Community Centre on March 22; The Old Bridge Inn, Aviemore on March 23; and House 42, Edinburgh on March 24.

l cherrygrovemusic.com