ENSEMBLE C - Small World
Self release:
Available from https://ensemblec.bandcamp.com/releases
Claire Cope - Piano/synthesiser/compositions; Brigitte Beraha - Voice; Rob Cope - Saxophone; Jack Davies - Trumpet; Jon Ormston - Drums; Ed Babar - Electric Bass/double bass Tom Varrall - Guitar
Claire Cope is a UK pianist, composer and bandleader of the new septet Ensemble C which comprises some of the most exciting artists on the UK jazz scene including Brigitte Beraha ( Babelfish, Solstice, Criss Cross) on vocals, Rob Cope ( Elliot Galvin, Southbound, Flea Circus), on saxophone, Jack Davis (Southbound, Jack Davies Big Band) on trumpet, Jon Ormston ( Tim Boniface) on drums, Ed Babar (Jools Holland, The Bevin Boys, Ancenis) on electric and double bass and Tom Varrell ( Jamie Cullum, Outlook Orchestra, Izzy Bizu) on guitar.
A graduate of the Royal Northern College of Music, Cope won the John Ireland prize and Principal's Prize for improvisation. She has performed in the RNCM band with artists including Tina May, Diana Toro and Gwilym Simcock. Her first project as bandleader and composer, The Claire James Trio, released an EP called 'Lines' on the Manchester-based Efpi label in 2011 and she has played in Andy Scott's 'Mancunity' at Manchester Jazz Festival. She composed the piano score for Rob Cope's 2019 film 'Richard Turner - A Life In music' about jazz trumpeter Richard Turner and has now released her debut album as bandleader of the septet ensemble C. She is also an educator and music examiner.
About the album Claire says, " I am really excited to release ‘Small World’, my debut album. Working with some of my favourite musicians, I have sought to combine a strong sense of melody with the textual versatility of a septet. Inspired by a love of travel, as well as the power of human connection and our common hopes, ‘Small World’ celebrates the great versatility, yet inherent ‘smallness’, of our world.
As my first project as a bandleader for 9 years, it has been a very personal journey towards establishing Ensemble C and releasing this album. Since recording the Claire James Trio EP 'Lines' in 2011, under my maiden name, I have struggled with sometimes quite severe anxiety about playing and performing. However, I have continued to be inspired every day by our phenomenal jazz scene here in London to keep practising and composing. with these incredible musicians and I am so grateful to Brigitte, Rob, Jack, Jon, Tom and Ed for their tremendous talent, generosity and enthusiasm.
'Intro' is short, very sweet and has harmonised vocals over a delicate 6 note motif. 'A Day in A life' sees vocals over streaming, circling instruments. The extended sax solo which emerges is by contrast simpler and more forceful, creating a sense of an interlude within the complexity of the piece and is backed by increasing input from the drums before guitar and vocals join again to finish the number . this creates a sense of increasing activity over a day, the intake of more information. 'Spirited' is of a different ilk, the bass introducing a number inspired by trips to Kenya and, in particular, the slums of Kibera in Nairobi, a place of great struggle and hardship. The music is described by Cope as, "'gentle and warm, indicating the sincere generosity and warmth of human spirit which inspired the composition." The piano and bass interaction is beautiful and the piece contains within it a sense of many cultures and peoples coming together. It is a piece of different concurrent musical conversations which reflect the diversity of the people - vocals and sax, sax and bass, bass and keys. The harmony between the voice and sax is particularly effective.
' Small World ' is lively, slightly Latin in feel and evocative of a busy, mixed market . It was written, according to Cope to, "celebrate all that is the same and yet necessarily different within our many cultures, and is, hopefully, a joyous reminder that for the vast majority of the world, our hopes for a better and more tolerant place to live are universally shared." The trumpet solo is gentle, lifting and sings over the conversation happening between the rhythm section of the septet. It hands over to a piano solo which is just as fun-filled and rhythmic and the drum and piano solo at the end , topped by inspired vocals is amazing. A slightly crazy but enormously engaging track. 'Sea of Tranquillity' is inspired by Damien Chazelle’s film ' First Man', a biopic that centres on the personal life of astronaut Neil Armstrong during the run up to the 1969 Apollo 11 mission, and the drama and beauty of Justin Hurwitz’s soundscape as Neil and Buzz Aldrin descend to the surface of the moon via the lunar module. There is a dramatic, thematic concept to the piece but also effective are the quiet moments, when the listener, aware of the inspiration perhaps, can be drawn into the vastness and emptiness of an unexplored wonder, and the inevitable smallness of its human inhabitants. The vocals on this track are outstanding with their breathy, almost desperate emotion and there is a sense of overwhelming solitude in parts, whilst a sense of dramatic wonder is emphasised with the sax support and the occasional disharmonies adding a sense of danger. A beautiful track.
'Eyes Open’ was inspired by the birth of Cope's niece and is a lullaby imbued with a sense of hope and potential. The piece is quiet, calming yet there is also a sense of hopefulness and a rising of energy as the piano plays emotive lines and rises and falls, like life events and reflections to come perhaps. The addition of guitar, voice, brushwork from the drums and sax add to the increasing complexity and textures of a life as it unfolds and all through there is a gentleness and care, redolent of love as a constant. 'The Time is Now' is altogether busier and was written as a reminder to live in the present and make the most of all of life’s opportunities; to be proactive, seize and appreciate. It has an energy to it and a decisiveness to the notation which gives a sense of taking decisions, making choices. The piano lines are clever and inventive right through this track and the emergent trumpet at times adds a touch of adventure.
'Travelling again' is based on the words of the great Chinese poet Du Fu, taken from his poem dated 761 of the same title. Apparently written following a second visit to the Temple for Cultivating Enlightenment in Chengdu, the words conjure the image of a weary traveller finding joy in the beauty of his surroundings. It is a joyful finish to the album and each musician shines at different times. The rhythms come from different sources and this is a number which makes it impossible to sit still. Enlightening indeed.
'Outro' is calm at first before the vocals break the spell and a forceful, loud finish closes out the album with strength and vibrancy - a noisier echo of 'Intro' using the same 6 note motif and the energy feels like the sense of hope which is key to this music.
This album is full of choices, decisions , an intricate working between the musicians and as a voyage through life if is working and full of promise at times, whilst calm and reflective at others. Very enjoyable and the music reveals Cope as a musician with a deep sense of communication and musical community.
Reviewed by Sammy Stein
Self release:
Available from https://ensemblec.bandcamp.com/releases
Claire Cope - Piano/synthesiser/compositions; Brigitte Beraha - Voice; Rob Cope - Saxophone; Jack Davies - Trumpet; Jon Ormston - Drums; Ed Babar - Electric Bass/double bass Tom Varrall - Guitar
Claire Cope is a UK pianist, composer and bandleader of the new septet Ensemble C which comprises some of the most exciting artists on the UK jazz scene including Brigitte Beraha ( Babelfish, Solstice, Criss Cross) on vocals, Rob Cope ( Elliot Galvin, Southbound, Flea Circus), on saxophone, Jack Davis (Southbound, Jack Davies Big Band) on trumpet, Jon Ormston ( Tim Boniface) on drums, Ed Babar (Jools Holland, The Bevin Boys, Ancenis) on electric and double bass and Tom Varrell ( Jamie Cullum, Outlook Orchestra, Izzy Bizu) on guitar.
A graduate of the Royal Northern College of Music, Cope won the John Ireland prize and Principal's Prize for improvisation. She has performed in the RNCM band with artists including Tina May, Diana Toro and Gwilym Simcock. Her first project as bandleader and composer, The Claire James Trio, released an EP called 'Lines' on the Manchester-based Efpi label in 2011 and she has played in Andy Scott's 'Mancunity' at Manchester Jazz Festival. She composed the piano score for Rob Cope's 2019 film 'Richard Turner - A Life In music' about jazz trumpeter Richard Turner and has now released her debut album as bandleader of the septet ensemble C. She is also an educator and music examiner.
About the album Claire says, " I am really excited to release ‘Small World’, my debut album. Working with some of my favourite musicians, I have sought to combine a strong sense of melody with the textual versatility of a septet. Inspired by a love of travel, as well as the power of human connection and our common hopes, ‘Small World’ celebrates the great versatility, yet inherent ‘smallness’, of our world.
As my first project as a bandleader for 9 years, it has been a very personal journey towards establishing Ensemble C and releasing this album. Since recording the Claire James Trio EP 'Lines' in 2011, under my maiden name, I have struggled with sometimes quite severe anxiety about playing and performing. However, I have continued to be inspired every day by our phenomenal jazz scene here in London to keep practising and composing. with these incredible musicians and I am so grateful to Brigitte, Rob, Jack, Jon, Tom and Ed for their tremendous talent, generosity and enthusiasm.
'Intro' is short, very sweet and has harmonised vocals over a delicate 6 note motif. 'A Day in A life' sees vocals over streaming, circling instruments. The extended sax solo which emerges is by contrast simpler and more forceful, creating a sense of an interlude within the complexity of the piece and is backed by increasing input from the drums before guitar and vocals join again to finish the number . this creates a sense of increasing activity over a day, the intake of more information. 'Spirited' is of a different ilk, the bass introducing a number inspired by trips to Kenya and, in particular, the slums of Kibera in Nairobi, a place of great struggle and hardship. The music is described by Cope as, "'gentle and warm, indicating the sincere generosity and warmth of human spirit which inspired the composition." The piano and bass interaction is beautiful and the piece contains within it a sense of many cultures and peoples coming together. It is a piece of different concurrent musical conversations which reflect the diversity of the people - vocals and sax, sax and bass, bass and keys. The harmony between the voice and sax is particularly effective.
' Small World ' is lively, slightly Latin in feel and evocative of a busy, mixed market . It was written, according to Cope to, "celebrate all that is the same and yet necessarily different within our many cultures, and is, hopefully, a joyous reminder that for the vast majority of the world, our hopes for a better and more tolerant place to live are universally shared." The trumpet solo is gentle, lifting and sings over the conversation happening between the rhythm section of the septet. It hands over to a piano solo which is just as fun-filled and rhythmic and the drum and piano solo at the end , topped by inspired vocals is amazing. A slightly crazy but enormously engaging track. 'Sea of Tranquillity' is inspired by Damien Chazelle’s film ' First Man', a biopic that centres on the personal life of astronaut Neil Armstrong during the run up to the 1969 Apollo 11 mission, and the drama and beauty of Justin Hurwitz’s soundscape as Neil and Buzz Aldrin descend to the surface of the moon via the lunar module. There is a dramatic, thematic concept to the piece but also effective are the quiet moments, when the listener, aware of the inspiration perhaps, can be drawn into the vastness and emptiness of an unexplored wonder, and the inevitable smallness of its human inhabitants. The vocals on this track are outstanding with their breathy, almost desperate emotion and there is a sense of overwhelming solitude in parts, whilst a sense of dramatic wonder is emphasised with the sax support and the occasional disharmonies adding a sense of danger. A beautiful track.
'Eyes Open’ was inspired by the birth of Cope's niece and is a lullaby imbued with a sense of hope and potential. The piece is quiet, calming yet there is also a sense of hopefulness and a rising of energy as the piano plays emotive lines and rises and falls, like life events and reflections to come perhaps. The addition of guitar, voice, brushwork from the drums and sax add to the increasing complexity and textures of a life as it unfolds and all through there is a gentleness and care, redolent of love as a constant. 'The Time is Now' is altogether busier and was written as a reminder to live in the present and make the most of all of life’s opportunities; to be proactive, seize and appreciate. It has an energy to it and a decisiveness to the notation which gives a sense of taking decisions, making choices. The piano lines are clever and inventive right through this track and the emergent trumpet at times adds a touch of adventure.
'Travelling again' is based on the words of the great Chinese poet Du Fu, taken from his poem dated 761 of the same title. Apparently written following a second visit to the Temple for Cultivating Enlightenment in Chengdu, the words conjure the image of a weary traveller finding joy in the beauty of his surroundings. It is a joyful finish to the album and each musician shines at different times. The rhythms come from different sources and this is a number which makes it impossible to sit still. Enlightening indeed.
'Outro' is calm at first before the vocals break the spell and a forceful, loud finish closes out the album with strength and vibrancy - a noisier echo of 'Intro' using the same 6 note motif and the energy feels like the sense of hope which is key to this music.
This album is full of choices, decisions , an intricate working between the musicians and as a voyage through life if is working and full of promise at times, whilst calm and reflective at others. Very enjoyable and the music reveals Cope as a musician with a deep sense of communication and musical community.
Reviewed by Sammy Stein
