Cross Can’s rhythm section with Roland Kirk, Motown & the Third Stream and you’ll get close to where The NJE is coming from.
That rhythm section is Madness bassist Mark Bedford and drummer Simon Charterton, formerly of The Higsons. Fellow former Higson Terry Edwards plays saxes (two at once), trumpet, melodica and flute. The result? Electrifyingly groovy funk/world/rock music played on jazz instruments.
For their upcoming new album, ‘Tritone’, legendary keyboardist Mike Garson (David Bowie ‘Aladdin Sane’ era) and fellow keys man Matt Johnson of Jamiroquai are both featured players. Adding new areas of melody to their gumbo stew, there are even hints of Kraftwerk and Magazine on ‘Tuba Cop’ and the title track respectively.
Artists who have influenced the sound of The NJE include Miles Davis (post 1970), John Zorn’s Naked City, The Meters, Soft Machine, Can, Back Door, Alice Coltrane, Ian Dury & The Blockheads, Roland Kirk and Vulfpeck. Additionally, anyone with a penchant for Ezra Collective, Don Cherry, Pharoah Sanders, Little Feat or Fela Kuti will find much to enjoy on ‘Tritone’.
LIVE DATES
20.06.25 LONDON Union Chapel
(a celebration of The Meters)
21.06.25 ST LEONARDS-ON-SEA Kino
THE NEAR JAZZ EXPERIENCE
TRITONE
new album
LP | CD | digital
out 18.07.25 (LP | CD)
out 27.06.25 (digital)
(Dimple Discs)
MORE ABOUT THE NJE
MARK BEDFORD
Mark is a key member of Madness, who are touring during 2025, plus has spent time with Voice Of The Beehive and Morrissey. He also played bass on Robert Wyatt’s immortal version of ‘Shipbuilding’.
SIMON CHARTERTON
A key former member of The Higsons, Simon is these days often found in the company of Anthony Moore (Slapp Happy, etc).
TERRY EDWARDS
Post-The Higsons, Terry has balanced a solo career with extensive time in the studio and on the live circuit as a session musician. The list of artists he has performed with includes Yeah Jazz, Madness, Gallon Drunk, David Gray, PJ Harvey, Billy Bragg, Jimi Tenor, Lydia Lunch, Spiritualized, Nick Cave and Tindersticks. In 2002, he played with the Scapegoats at the David Bowie curated Meltdown festival in London.
TRITONE
TRACKLISTING
1 Astro Disco
2 Tuba Cop
3 A Head
4 Bebinca Beat
5 Midwinter
6 Funky Kino
7 Evermore
8 Burner
9 Tritone
10 Character Actor
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