NOVEMBER 2026 ISSUE
NOVEMBER 2026 ISSUE A sneaky peek of just some of what is in the November 2026 issue – OUT NOW! Click to buy this issue and read more… CIYO BROWN Half a century is a long time for any artist or musician of any genre to remain viable, relevant and forward-thinking. It takes a special talent to navigate all those career highs and lows and continue to execute their skills with the same level of energy and enthusiasm as when they first started. This year, singer/guitarist Ciyo Brown celebrates his 50thanniversary with a special performance at London’s Pizza Express in Holborn on November 21st, where he’ll be joined by his regular band plus special guests, as he showcases material from all seven of his acclaimed albums to date. The list of artists and musicians he’s played with over the years is impressive, to say the least… … … Click here to buy and read more… ROBERT CRAY It seems fitting that on the same day Robert Cray spoke to me about his latest music – including his first new album in seven years, coming not far into 2027 – the news broke that rocker Neil Young was once again having to sue Donald Trump to prevent further use of his late eighties tune Rockin’ In The Free World at Republican political rallies. For blues-and-soulman Cray himself has a history of saying out loud what he thinks about The Fat Orange Idiot. [As even my dog calls the current US President.] “Oh yeah, we’ve been dealing with him for quite a while in our organization… ” Click here to buy and read more… D'YANI With the release of his debut album Live Life & Prosper, D’Yani has heralded the beginning of a new cycle in Jamaican music – an upgrade, if you like, on the so-called Reggae Revival and a latest chapter in the sound of young Jamaica. When asked for a description, he told Reggaeville that “it’s just a pendulum swing of love and life,” but this a little disingenuous. Why? Because it’s a project that’s taken several years to reach fruition, is well constructed and arranged, has real depth to it and showcases an artist who has long shown promise but now exceeds all expectations. D’Yani, or Andre Chavanie McCormack as his family named him, is both a distinctive singer and a songwriter of understated quality. Not only that, but the 11 tracks on Live Life & Prosper could easily restore anyone’s faith in the album format, so cohesively are they put together… Click here to buy and read more… JACQUES SCHWARZ-BART There is a romantic notion that all musicians struggle before they make it. But sometimes the story works in reverse. Jacques Schwarz-Bart had a regular income from his job as a Senator’s assistant in Paris, a respected position in political spheres, but he gave that up after whispers in his mind kept getting louder. The Guadeloupean saxophonist felt that life just had to have more improvisation than legislation. “I did it out of artistic necessity. Actually, I was making a good living, and I went from doing really well in life socially to being poor and destitute as a jazz musician … Click here to buy and read more…
Black News 
NOVEMBER 2026 ISSUE
A sneaky peek of just some of what is in the November 2026 issue – OUT NOW!
CIYO BROWN
Half a century is a long time for any artist or musician of any genre to remain viable, relevant and forward-thinking. It takes a special talent to navigate all those career highs and lows and continue to execute their skills with the same level of energy and enthusiasm as when they first started.
This year, singer/guitarist Ciyo Brown celebrates his 50thanniversary with a special performance at London’s Pizza Express in Holborn on November 21st, where he’ll be joined by his regular band plus special guests, as he showcases material from all seven of his acclaimed albums to date. The list of artists and musicians he’s played with over the years is impressive, to say the least…
…
…
ROBERT CRAY
It seems fitting that on the same day Robert Cray spoke to me about his latest music – including his first new album in seven years, coming not far into 2027 – the news broke that rocker Neil Young was once again having to sue Donald Trump to prevent further use of his late eighties tune Rockin’ In The Free World at Republican political rallies. For blues-and-soulman Cray himself has a history of saying out loud what he thinks about The Fat Orange Idiot. [As even my dog calls the current US President.] “Oh yeah, we’ve been dealing with him for quite a while in our organization… ”
D'YANI
With the release of his debut album Live Life & Prosper, D’Yani has heralded the beginning of a new cycle in Jamaican music – an upgrade, if you like, on the so-called Reggae Revival and a latest chapter in the sound of young Jamaica. When asked for a description, he told Reggaeville that “it’s just a pendulum swing of love and life,” but this a little disingenuous. Why? Because it’s a project that’s taken several years to reach fruition, is well constructed and arranged, has real depth to it and showcases an artist who has long shown promise but now exceeds all expectations.
D’Yani, or Andre Chavanie McCormack as his family named him, is both a distinctive singer and a songwriter of understated quality. Not only that, but the 11 tracks on Live Life & Prosper could easily restore anyone’s faith in the album format, so cohesively are they put together…
JACQUES SCHWARZ-BART
There is a romantic notion that all musicians struggle before they make it. But sometimes the story works in reverse. Jacques Schwarz-Bart had a regular income from his job as a Senator’s assistant in Paris, a respected position in political spheres, but he gave that up after whispers in his mind kept getting louder. The Guadeloupean saxophonist felt that life just had to have more improvisation than legislation.
“I did it out of artistic necessity. Actually, I was making a good living, and I went from doing really well in life socially to being poor and destitute as a jazz musician …
